[mysql] How to get a table creation script in MySQL Workbench?

I am rolling back to MySQL GUI Tools' MySQL Query Browser since I can't find the shortcut to get a table's creation script in MySQL Workbench.

This question is related to mysql mysql-workbench

The answer is


I cannot find such an option either, at least in the Community edition.

I suppose this corresponds to the Reverse Engineering feature, which, unfortunately, is only available in the commercial edition (quoting) :

reverse engineering a database directly from a MySQL server applies to commercial versions of MySQL Workbench only.


Still, you can use plain-SQL to get the create table instruction that will allow you to create a table.

For instance, the following query :

show create table url_alias;

when executed on a drupal database, would give, when using right click > copy field content on the result :

'CREATE TABLE `url_alias` (
  `pid` int(10) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
  `src` varchar(128) NOT NULL default '''',
  `dst` varchar(128) NOT NULL default '''',
  `language` varchar(12) NOT NULL default '''',
  PRIMARY KEY  (`pid`),
  UNIQUE KEY `dst_language` (`dst`,`language`),
  KEY `src_language` (`src`,`language`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=1 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8'

Unfortunately (again), MySQL Workbench adds some quotes everywhere when copying this way :-(


EDIT: Using MySQL 8.0, there is an option to right click > copy field (unquoted) on the result to get the desired result without quotes.


In the end, the simplest solution, except from staying with MySQL Query Browser, will most likely be to connect to the database, using the command-line client, and execute the show create table query from there :

mysql> show create table url_alias\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
       Table: url_alias
Create Table: CREATE TABLE `url_alias` (
  `pid` int(10) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
  `src` varchar(128) NOT NULL default '',
  `dst` varchar(128) NOT NULL default '',
  `language` varchar(12) NOT NULL default '',
  PRIMARY KEY  (`pid`),
  UNIQUE KEY `dst_language` (`dst`,`language`),
  KEY `src_language` (`src`,`language`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=1 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

Getting "the right portion" of the output is easier, there : no quote to remove.



And, just for the sake of completness, you could also use mysqldump to get your table's structure :

mysqldump --no-data --user=USERNAME --password=PASSWORD --host=HOST DATABASE_NAME TABLE_NAME

Using the --no-data switch, you'll only get the structure -- in the middle of some mode settings and all that.


Not sure if I fully understood your problem, but if it's just about creating export scripts, you should forward engineer to SQL script - Ctrl + Shift + G or File -> Export -> first option.


U can use MySQL Proxy and its scripting system to view SQL queries in realtime in the terminal.


In "model overview" or "diagram" just right-click on the table and you have the folowing options: "Copy Insert to clipboard" OR "Copy SQL to clipboard"


  1. Open MySQL Workbench (6.3 CE)
  2. In "Navigator" select "Management"
  3. Then select "Data Export" (Here select the table whose create script you wish to export)
  4. In Drop down select "Dump Structure and Data"
  5. Select checkbox "Include Create Schema"
  6. Click the button "Start Export" Once export is complete it will display the location in which exported file is dumped in your system. Go to the location and open the exported file to find table creation script.

Or Check https://dev.mysql.com/doc/workbench/en/wb-admin-export-import-management.html


Not sure if this is still an issue, but for me in 5.2.35CE it's possible to get the create scripts by:

  1. Database --> Reverse Engineer

  2. Under stored connection, choose your database

  3. Hit "Next" a few times, choose which schema you want to reverse engineer, and let the tool work

  4. You'll get an "EER Diagram" view with all the DB's schema. If you right click on the table you care about and choose "Copy SQL to Clipboard" I think you'll have what you need.

Hopefully this helps someone else that needs it.


I came here looking for the answer to the same question. But I found a much better answer myself.

In the tables list, if you right-click on the table name there is a suite of CRUD script generation options in "Send to SQL Editor". You can select multiple tables and take the same approach too.

My version of MySQL Workbench: 5.2.37


Right-click on the relevant table and choose either of:

  • Copy to Clipboard > Create Statement
  • Send to SQL Editor > Create Statement

That seems to work for me.


To get an individual table's creation script just right click on the table name and click Copy to Clipboard > Create Statement.

To enable the File > Forward Engineering SQL_CREATE Script.. option and to get the creation script for your entire database :

  1. Database > Reverse Engineer (Ctrl+R)
  2. Go through the steps to create the EER Diagram
  3. When viewing the EER Diagram click File > Forward Engineering SQL_CREATE Script... (Ctrl+Shift+G)

1 use command

show create table test.location

enter image description here

  1. right click on selected row and choose Open Value In Viewer

  2. select tab Text enter image description here


It is located in server administration rather than in SQL development.

  • From the home screen select the database server instance your database is located on from the server administration section on the far right.
  • From the menu on the right select Data Export.
  • Select the database you want to export and choose a location.
  • Click start export.

Solution for MySQL Workbench 6.3E

  • On left panel, right click your table and selecct "Table Inspector"
  • On center panel, click DDL label

show create table