docs/sql-ref-syntax-ddl-drop-table.md

---
layout: global
title: DROP TABLE
displayTitle: DROP TABLE
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---

### Description

`DROP TABLE` deletes the table and removes the directory associated with the table from the file system
if the table is not `EXTERNAL` table. If the table is not present it throws an exception.

In case of an external table, only the associated metadata information is removed from the metastore database.

If the table is cached, the command uncaches the table and all its dependents.

### Syntax

```sql
DROP TABLE [ IF EXISTS ] table_identifier [ PURGE ]
```

### Parameter

* **IF EXISTS**

    If specified, no exception is thrown when the table does not exist.

* **table_identifier**

    Specifies the table name to be dropped. The table name may be optionally qualified with a database name.

    **Syntax:** `[ database_name. ] table_name`

* **PURGE**

    If specified, completely purge the table skipping trash while dropping table(Note: PURGE available in Hive Metastore 0.14.0 and later).

### Examples

```sql
-- Assumes a table named `employeetable` exists.
DROP TABLE employeetable;

-- Assumes a table named `employeetable` exists in the `userdb` database
DROP TABLE userdb.employeetable;

-- Assumes a table named `employeetable` does not exist.
-- Throws exception
DROP TABLE employeetable;
Error: org.apache.spark.sql.AnalysisException: Table or view not found: employeetable;
(state=,code=0)

-- Assumes a table named `employeetable` does not exist,Try with IF EXISTS
-- this time it will not throw exception
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS employeetable;

-- Completely purge the table skipping trash.
DROP TABLE employeetable PURGE;
```

### Related Statements

* [CREATE TABLE](sql-ref-syntax-ddl-create-table.html)
* [CREATE DATABASE](sql-ref-syntax-ddl-create-database.html)
* [DROP DATABASE](sql-ref-syntax-ddl-drop-database.html)