Laravel migrations change default value of column

Question

I have a table with a default value already assigned. For an example we can look at the following:

Schema::create('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
            $table->increments('id')->unsigned();
            $table->integer('active')->default(1);
        });

I now want to change my default value on the active field. I am expecting to do something like this:

if (Schema::hasTable('users')) {
        Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
            if (Schema::hasColumn('users', 'active')) {
                $table->integer('active')->default(0);
            }
        });
    }

But of course it tells me the column is already there. How can I simply update the default value of column x without dropping the column?

well since its only about one column you can do it manually by using interface like phpmyadmin(xampp), workbench etc. so you will not loose any data.. — Manoj Salvi, May 03 '16 at 12:58
Thats what I have done for now to fix it on our live server but I would still like to know whats the best way moving forward. Otherwise I was also thinking of just upgrading to laravel 5 — Brendan Van Der Merwe, May 03 '16 at 13:02
here is a link that might help you - http://www.flipflops.org/2013/05/25/modify-an-existing-database-column-in-a-laravel-migration/ — Manoj Salvi, May 03 '16 at 13:05
Seems like a raw query inside my migration script is the way to go here. Really thought I was missing something obvious here. — Brendan Van Der Merwe, May 03 '16 at 13:19
yes it could work both the ways - by writing the alter query inside existing migration or inside a newly created migration.. — Manoj Salvi, May 03 '16 at 13:22

Alexey Mezenin · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-03T13:11:42.947

112

You can use change() method:

Schema::table('users', function ($table) {
    $table->integer('active')->default(0)->change();
});

Then run migrate command.

Update

For Laravel 4 use something like this:

DB::statement('ALTER TABLE `users` CHANGE COLUMN `active` `active` INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;');

Inside up() method instead of Schema::table(); clause.

edited May 03 '16 at 13:11

answered May 03 '16 at 12:02

Alexey Mezenin

158,981
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Sorry did not add but I'm using laravel 4.2 – Brendan Van Der Merwe May 03 '16 at 12:44
For Laravel 4 you should use raw query. Please check updated question. – Alexey Mezenin May 03 '16 at 13:12
do you know how to rollback? – rüff0 Feb 11 '18 at 09:00
2

To remove a default value from a column, use default(NULL) – Derrick Miller Dec 04 '18 at 02:05
@AlexeyMezenin: Hi, I've used your code to change DB column using new migration, migrate successfully but no change in DB columns! Any idea what was the issue? thanks. – Hiren Gohel Mar 03 '19 at 07:06
Note if there's `enum` column on that table then `change()` is not supported, the way to go is `DB::statement...` – Salam Nov 25 '19 at 10:52
1

@rüff0 `$table->integer('active')->default(1)->change();` – sinaza Mar 27 '20 at 20:28
How can I change string to int and add default value? I tried this but PostgreSQL throws `cast error. $table->integer('score')->default(0)->change();` – bhattraideb Jul 23 '20 at 12:50

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered May 03 '16 at 12:03

6

You have to call the change function to update the column

if (Schema::hasTable('users')) {
    Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
        if (Schema::hasColumn('users', 'active')) {
            $table->integer('active')->default(0)->change();
        }
    });
}

answered May 03 '16 at 12:03

Jerodev

32,252
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108

Sorry did not add but I'm using laravel 4.2. – Brendan Van Der Merwe May 03 '16 at 12:33

Yasin Patel · Answer 3 · 2019-11-25T10:59:11.137

-2

Create new migration file. and use change()

if (Schema::hasTable('users')) {
    Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
        if (Schema::hasColumn('users', 'active')) {
            $table->integer('active')->default(0)->change();
        }
    });
}

And also be sure to add the doctrine/dbal dependency to your composer.json file

edited Nov 25 '19 at 10:59

answered May 03 '16 at 12:40

Yasin Patel

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`refresh` will not change the default value of anything, you're just resetting everything, – Salam Nov 25 '19 at 10:53

Laravel migrations change default value of column

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