How to Drop a Column in Redshift
Last updated July 25, 2026 · By the SaturnSQL team
Use ALTER TABLE ... DROP COLUMN. Add CASCADE to also drop dependent views. You cannot drop a column that is the table's distribution key or part of its sort key.
ALTER TABLE orders DROP COLUMN internal_notes;When views depend on it
ALTER TABLE orders DROP COLUMN internal_notes CASCADE; -- drops dependent views tooTo remove a DISTKEY or SORTKEY column, change the key first with ALTER TABLE ... ALTER DISTKEY / ALTER SORTKEY, or rebuild the table with CTAS.
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