actually ur this sql query only insert a new column at the end of the tablewhat i want is to insert a new column at the beginning of the table. And, i just found out that there is no problem with the keyword "FIRST" at all. I read the manual wrongly yesterday. ====================== ALTER [IGNORE] TABLE tbl_name alter_specification [, alter_specification] ... alter_specification: ADD [COLUMN] column_definition [FIRST | AFTER col_name ]......... ======================= So, to add a column at the beginning of the table, use "alter table my_table add column my_colunm column_definition FIRST". To add a column at any other place rather than the beginning of the table, use "table my_table add column my_colunm column_definition AFTER clolumn_B" (more...)