Checking if Database Table Exists in WordPress

I just created my first WordPress Plugin. This plugin requires extra table to be created in WordPress database.

The new table will store needed data for my plugin and this table usually created when the plugin is activated.

In that case, I need to check if the table is already in the database or already installed due to previous installations.

HERE’S HOW I CHECK THE DATABASE

Sample code snippets on how to check the database.

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global $wpdb; $table_name = $wpdb->prefix.'TABLE-NAME-HERE'; if($wpdb->get_var("SHOW TABLES LIKE '$table_name'") != $table_name) {      //table not in database. Create new table      $charset_collate = $wpdb->get_charset_collate();        $sql = "CREATE TABLE $table_name (           id mediumint(9) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,           field_x text NOT NULL,           field_y text NOT NULL,           UNIQUE KEY id (id)      ) $charset_collate;";      require_once( ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/upgrade.php' );      dbDelta( $sql ); } else{ }

If you have questions, feel free to contact me or comment below.

5 Comments

1. 

   Kalsan on 21st March 2016 at 1:44 pm

   Very helpful! Thanks a lot!

   Reply
2. 

   Kalsan on 21st March 2016 at 1:44 pm

   This is great advice, much appreciated! Thanks 

   Reply
3. 

   Áquila Adler on 3rd April 2016 at 1:25 pm

   Thank you, Lodel!
   I was searching this snippet.

   Reply
4. 

   David Jarrin on 18th May 2016 at 8:23 pm

   This does indeed to appear to be very helpful thank you.

   Reply
5. 

   Yusuf on 6th February 2017 at 11:34 am

   Thank you.

   Reply