# Inserting fields into database tables with phpMyAdmin

> Learn how to add a new field (column) to a database table using phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/inserting-fields-into-database-tables-with-phpmyadmin
Updated: 2026-06-11

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A **field** (also called a column) defines one piece of information a table stores - a name, an email address, a date, and so on. phpMyAdmin lets you add a new field to an existing table at any time, without writing SQL. This guide shows how.

## Before you start

Open phpMyAdmin from the **Databases** section of cPanel, click your database in the left-hand panel, then click the **table** you want to change. If phpMyAdmin is new to you, see [Becoming familiar with databases in phpMyAdmin](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/becoming-familiar-with-databases-in-phpmyadmin).

## Add a new field

1. With the table open, click the **Structure** tab.
2. Find the **Add** row beneath the list of columns. Enter how many fields you want to add, choose where they should go (for example **after** an existing column, or at the start of the table), then click **Go**.

   ![The Add column control on the Structure tab](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/b1/37/b137bd3b7001ce497f35ddb4d97dd024c8c746d9.png)

3. Fill in the new field's details:
   - **Name** - what the field is called, for example `phone`.
   - **Type** - the kind of data it holds. `VARCHAR` suits short text, `INT` whole numbers, `DATETIME` a date and time, and `TEXT` long text.
   - **Length/Values** - for `VARCHAR`, the maximum number of characters (for example `20` for a phone number).

   ![Defining the new phone field as VARCHAR with a length of 20](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/0e/3f/0e3fbe7aa27a2ac1dac17fc5188bbd2c806ec6c6.png)

4. Click **Save**.

The new field is added to the table and appears in the **Structure** list, ready to store data.

![The members table structure with the new phone field added](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/48/b7/48b71e7e83dc84ea7dc5a9c5c32e04a8dd17cffb.png)

:::tip
You do not have to get the structure perfect first time. You can always [change a field](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/modifying-fields-in-database-tables-with-phpmyadmin) or [remove one](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/deleting-fields-from-database-tables-with-phpmyadmin) later.
:::

If you need a hand, our support team is available 24/7 - just [open a support ticket](/knowledgebase/getting-started/how-to-create-a-support-ticket-in-mykualo).


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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/inserting-fields-into-database-tables-with-phpmyadmin · © Kualo Ltd._