CartoDB-SQL-API/doc/creating_tables.md
2017-02-17 07:40:48 -05:00

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# Creating Tables with the SQL API
[Writing data to your CARTO account](https://carto.com/docs/carto-engine/sql-api/making-calls#write-data-to-your-carto-account) enables you to manage data through SQL queries, it does not automatically connect tables as datasets to _Your datasets_ dashboard in CARTO.
You must apply the `CDB_CartodbfyTable`function to a target table in order to create and display connected datasets in your account. This additional step of "CARTOfying" data is the process of converting an arbitrary PostgreSQL table into a valid CARTO table, and registering it into the system so that it can be used in the graphical user interface, and the CARTO Engine, to generate maps and analysis.
## Create Tables
To create a visible table in CARTO, run the following SQL query with the SQL API:
```bash
CREATE TABLE {table_name}
(
{column1} {data type},
{column2} {data type},
{column3} {data type},
...
);
```
While this begins the process of creating the structure for the table, it is still not visible in your dashboard. Run the following request to make the table visible.
```bash
SELECT cdb_cartodbfytable({table_name});
```
**Tip:** If you are an developer using an Enterprise account, you must also include the organization username as part of the request. For example:
```bash
SELECT cdb_cartodbfytable({org_username}, {table_name});
```
The table is created and added as a connected dataset in _Your datasets_ dashboard. Refresh your browser to ensure that you can visualize it in your account. Once a table is connected to _Your datasets_ dashboard in CARTO, any modifications that you apply to your data through the SQL API are automatically updated.
## Rename Tables
To rename a connected dataset in _Your datasets_ dashboard, run the following SQL query with the SQL API:
```bash
ALTER TABLE {table_name} RENAME to {renamed table_name};
```
It may take a few seconds for the connected table to appear renamed. Refresh your browser to ensure that you can visualize the changes in _Your datasets_ dashboard.
## Remove a Table
If you remove a table, **any maps using the connected dataset will be affected**. The deleted dataset cannot be recovered. Even if you create a new table with the same name as a removed table, CARTO still internalizes it as a different table.
To remove a connected dataset from _Your datasets_ dashboard, run the following SQL query with the SQL API:
```bash
DROP TABLE {table_name};
```
This removes the connected table from _Your datasets_ dashboard. Refresh your browser to ensure that the connected dataset was removed.