# RENAME COLUMN

The `RENAME COLUMN` statement changes the name of a column in a table.

Note:
It is not possible to rename a column referenced by a view. For more details, see View Dependencies.

## Synopsis

## Required privileges

The user must have the `CREATE` privilege on the table.

## Parameters

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
`IF EXISTS` | Rename the column only if a column of `current_name` exists; if one does not exist, do not return an error.
`table_name` | The name of the table with the column you want to use.
`current_name` | The current name of the column.
`name` | The `name` you want to use for the column, which must be unique to its table and follow these identifier rules.

## Viewing schema changes

Whenever you initiate a schema change, CockroachDB registers it as a job, which you can view with `SHOW JOBS`.

## Example

### Rename a column

    > SELECT * FROM users;

    +----+-------+-------+
    | id | name  | title |
    +----+-------+-------+
    |  1 | Tom   | cat   |
    |  2 | Jerry | rat   |
    +----+-------+-------+

    > ALTER TABLE users RENAME COLUMN title TO species;

    > SELECT * FROM users;

    +----+-------+---------+
    | id | name  | species |
    +----+-------+---------+
    |  1 | Tom   | cat     |
    |  2 | Jerry | rat     |
    +----+-------+---------+

## See also

- `RENAME DATABASE`
- `RENAME TABLE`
- `ALTER TABLE`