---
title: "Edit data table schemas in Nutrient Workflow Automation"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/data-table-management/edit-table-schema/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/data-table-management/edit-table-schema.md"
last_updated: "2026-06-03T21:45:02.579Z"
description: "Add, remove, rename, and alter columns on your data tables from the Workflow administrative UI. All column changes are staged and applied together when you save."
---

# Edit table schema

Use the **Edit Columns** dialog to modify the column structure of a registered table. The platform stages additions, renames, type changes, and removals in a single form and applies them together when you save. These changes apply directly to the table in the database.

Schema management requires system administrator privileges.

## Opening the Edit Columns dialog

1. Open the table detail page by clicking the **Browse** icon next to a table on the **Data Tables** page.

2. Click the **Edit Columns** (gear) icon in the upper-left corner.

The dialog displays each column as an editable row with **Column Name**, **Data Type**, **Max Length**, **Nullable**, **PK**, **Auto Inc**, and **Remove** controls.

## Adding a column

1. In the **Edit Columns** dialog, click **Add Column** at the bottom of the column list. The platform adds a new editable row.

2. Fill in the column details:
   - **Column Name** — Use letters, numbers, underscores, and spaces. The name must start with a letter or underscore.
   - **Data Type** — Choose from: `varchar`, `nvarchar`, `int`, `bigint`, `decimal`, `numeric`, `bit`, `datetime`, `date`, `text`, `ntext`, `float`, `real`, `uniqueidentifier`, `money`.
   - **Max Length** — Only applies to `varchar` and `nvarchar` types.
   - **Nullable** — Whether the column accepts empty values. New columns added to tables with existing data should generally be nullable.

3. Click **Save Changes** to apply.

## Renaming a column

1. In the **Edit Columns** dialog, edit the **Column Name** cell on the row you want to rename.

2. Click **Save Changes** to apply.

If you rename a primary key column, the platform automatically updates the primary key metadata on the table registration.

## Altering a column

To change a column’s data type, max length, or nullable setting:

1. In the **Edit Columns** dialog, edit the **Data Type**, **Max Length**, or **Nullable** cells on the row you want to alter.

2. Click **Save Changes** to apply.

The platform rejects changes that are incompatible with existing data. For example, it rejects converting a text column with non-numeric values to `int`, or changing a column from nullable to non-nullable when the column contains `null` values.

Altering a column’s data type can cause data loss if existing values are incompatible with the new type. Verify your data before making type changes.

## Removing a column

1. In the **Edit Columns** dialog, click **Remove** on the row you want to delete.

2. Click **Save Changes** to apply.

Removing a column is irreversible. All data stored in the column is permanently deleted when you save.

Primary key columns can’t be removed. The **Remove** button is disabled for any column designated as the primary key.

## How changes are saved

When you click **Save Changes**, the platform applies all staged changes together. If it can’t apply any change, none of the changes are saved. For example, this can happen when a type conversion is incompatible with existing data. The dialog stays open so you can correct the issue.

## Schema change audit

All schema operations are recorded in the [changelog](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/data-table-management/changelog.md) with specific operation types:

| Operation          | Changelog entry |
| ------------------ | --------------- |
| Add a column       | Add Column      |
| Remove a column    | Drop Column     |
| Rename a column    | Rename Column   |
| Alter a column     | Alter Column    |
| Create a new table | Create Table    |
---

## Related pages

- [Change Log](/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/data-table-management/changelog.md)
- [Data table management](/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/data-table-management.md)
- [Manage table data](/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/data-table-management/manage-table-data.md)
- [Create and register tables](/guides/workflow-automation/admin-guide/data-table-management/create-and-register-tables.md)