SQL DELETE Statement

The DELETE statement in SQL removes rows from a table. It's a powerful command, but use it carefully because deleting data is usually irreversible unless you have a backup of your database.

DELETE: Definition and Usage

DELETE removes rows based on conditions specified in the WHERE clause. The WHERE clause is absolutely essential; omitting it will delete *every single row* in the table, which is rarely the intention and can lead to significant data loss.

Syntax


DELETE FROM table_name
WHERE condition;

Example Database

Here is a sample 'Customers' table used in the examples:

CustomerID	CustomerName	ContactName	Address	City	PostalCode	Country
1	Alfreds Futterkiste	Maria Anders	Obere Str. 57	Berlin	12209	Germany
2	Ana Trujillo Emparedados y helados	Ana Trujillo	Avda. de la Constitución 2222	México D.F.	05021	Mexico
3	Antonio Moreno Taquería	Antonio Moreno	Mataderos 2312	México D.F.	05023	Mexico
4	Around the Horn	Thomas Hardy	120 Hanover Sq.	London	WA1 1DP	UK
5	Berglunds snabbköp	Christina Berglund	Berguvsvägen 8	Luleå	S-958 22	Sweden

Examples

Deleting a Specific Row

This deletes the row where 'CustomerName' is 'Alfreds Futterkiste'.

Syntax


DELETE FROM Customers
WHERE CustomerName = 'Alfreds Futterkiste';

Output

CustomerID	CustomerName	ContactName	Address	City	PostalCode	Country
2	Ana Trujillo Emparedados y helados	Ana Trujillo	Avda. de la Constitución 2222	México D.F.	05021	Mexico
3	Antonio Moreno Taquería	Antonio Moreno	Mataderos 2312	México D.F.	05023	Mexico
4	Around the Horn	Thomas Hardy	120 Hanover Sq.	London	WA1 1DP	UK
5	Berglunds snabbköp	Christina Berglund	Berguvsvägen 8	Luleå	S-958 22	Sweden

Deleting All Rows (Caution!)

This deletes all rows from the 'Customers' table. The table structure remains; only the data is removed. Use this with extreme caution!

Syntax


DELETE FROM Customers;

Output

The 'Customers' table will be emptied of all data; the table structure remains.

Completely Deleting a Table (DROP TABLE)

To completely remove a table and its structure, use DROP TABLE. This action is irreversible (without a backup).

Syntax


DROP TABLE table_name;

Output


(The table and its data are permanently deleted.)