> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deleting MySQL database tables using phpMyAdmin

> This article covers how to use phpMyAdmin to delete (drop) tables in a MySQL database, with step-by-step instructions provided.

This article describes how to delete (drop) a table in a MySQL database using phpMyAdmin.

<Warning>
  **️ Warning**

  Be careful! When you delete a database table, all of the data in it is deleted permanently as well. Make sure you have a current database backup before deleting tables.

  📘 Note

  The following procedure demonstrates how to delete a table in a database. If you want to delete an entire database on our managed hosting plans, you cannot use phpMyAdmin. Use the\
  [MySQL Databases tool in cPanel](/docs/managing-mysql-databases) instead.
</Warning>

## Deleting a table using phpMyAdmin

To delete a table in a MySQL database using phpMyAdmin, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).

2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Databases** section, click **phpMyAdmin**:\
   ![cPanel - Databases - phpMyAdmin icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-cpanel-jupiter-phpmyadmin-icon.png)

3. The *phpMyAdmin* administration page appears in a new window. In the left pane, click the name of the database that contains the table you want to delete. For example, the following image shows the *example\_wordpress* database selected:\
   ![phpMyAdmin - left pane](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-phpmyadmin-left-pane.png)

4. In the right pane, select the check box for the table that you want to delete:\
   ![phpMyAdmin - main pane](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-phpmyadmin-main-pane.png)

5. In the **With selected** list box, select **Drop**.

   > 👍 Tip
   >
   > Alternatively, if you want to keep the table, but delete all of the data that it contains instead, select **Empty** .

6. To disable foreign key checks, clear the **Enable foreign key checks** check box.

   > 🚧 Important
   >
   > The foreign key check is a useful way to help prevent accidental data deletion. Only disable the foreign key check if you are sure of the effects of doing so.

7. phpMyAdmin confirms that you want to delete the table. Click **Yes**.

## More information

For more information about phpMyAdmin, please visit [https://www.phpmyadmin.net](https://www.phpmyadmin.net).

## Related articles

* [Accessing phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin](/docs/phpmyadmin-and-phppgadmin)

* [Changing the MySQL collation settings in phpMyAdmin](/docs/changing-the-mysql-collation-settings-in-phpmyadmin)

* [Creating WordPress admin user in MySQL using phpMyAdmin](/docs/creating-wordpress-admin-user-in-mysql-using-phpmyadmin)

* [Installing phpMyAdmin on managed hosting accounts](/docs/installing-phpmyadmin-on-managed-hosting-accounts)

* [Optimizing and repairing MySQL databases with phpMyAdmin](/docs/optimizing-and-repairing-mysql-databases-with-phpmyadmin)

* [Using phpMyAdmin to copy a MySQL database](/docs/using-phpmyadmin-to-copy-a-mysql-database)