How to DROP TABLE in BigQuery

What does DROP TABLE do in BigQuery?

DROP TABLE deletes the tables metadata and any stored data, freeing storage and making the name available again. The action is immediate and cannot be undone.

When should I use DROP TABLE?

Use DROP TABLE to discard obsolete staging tables, purge test datasets, or rebuild tables created by ELT jobs. Always confirm no downstream jobs still reference the table.

What is the syntax of DROP TABLE?

See full syntax below. Key options include IF EXISTS to skip errors when the table is missing and listing multiple tables separated by commas.

How do I drop a single table?

Add the fully qualified name: DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `project.dataset.Customers`;

How do I drop multiple tables at once?

Separate table names by commas: DROP TABLE `project.dataset.Orders`, `project.dataset.OrderItems`;

Can I drop a table only if it exists?

Yesprepend IF EXISTS to avoid runtime errors when a table might not be present.

Best practices for DROP TABLE

Always run SELECT * LIMIT 0 on the table first to confirm structure, validate backups, and use audit logs to confirm who issued the command.

Common mistakes

Omitting IF EXISTS triggers errors in CI scripts when tables are already gone. Dropping partitions instead of entire tables is sometimes requireddoublecheck your storage layout.

FAQ

Does DROP TABLE free all storage instantly?

Storage charges stop quickly, but internal reclamation can take several minutes.

Can I recover a dropped BigQuery table?

No, unless you have a backup or the table was protected by a snapshot copy.

Does DROP TABLE remove views?

No. Use DROP VIEW for views.