07 · Tables A→ZN · Retire (irreversible)
Before you drop
Dropping a table is irreversible - export, snapshot, or move instead when you can.
Dropping a table is permanent - it deletes the data and the Delta log, so there's no time-travel, rollback, or restore afterward. Before you drop, make sure you actually want it gone.
Consider these first
- Just reorganising? Rename or move the table instead - both keep the data and its identity.
- Want a copy first? Export it - a final
query_rows/ Flight SQL read, or download the objects - before dropping. - Just clearing rows? Delete rows keeps the table (and stays recoverable until vacuum).
- Snapshot the version - note the current version from
get_table_historyin case you need a reference.
Heads up
There is no undo for
drop_table, and rollback/restore
can't bring it back - they need a Delta log that the drop has deleted. Treat a
drop as final.When you're sure
Proceed to Permanently delete a table.