Title: Extending database using same or different table_prefix
Last modified: July 3, 2017

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# Extending database using same or different table_prefix

 *  Resolved [trevorstokes](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trevortokes/)
 * (@trevortokes)
 * [8 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/extending-database-using-same-or-different-table_prefix/)
 * I have extended the wp database. I maintain the content with a separate sub-system,
   but also feed data to the WordPress site using a plug in.
    I used a different
   table_prefix for my tables. Everything is working fine, but free backup plugins
   or utilities do not backup my tables. (Updraft, Softaculous.) I use constraints(
   referential integrity) and “hook” into the wp_users table.
 * Is there any reason I could not use the same table prefix (“wp_”)for my tables?
   
   I did experiment on L.A.M.P. where I do my development and it seems OK. I named
   my tables “wp_gyc_…”.
 * I’m concerned that WordPress might delete my tables or future additions could
   clash.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  [Maciek Palmowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/palmiak/)
 * (@palmiak)
 * [8 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/extending-database-using-same-or-different-table_prefix/#post-9285481)
 * But you should use the same prefix – WP won’t delete extra tables – don’t worry.
 * Also it’s logical that all tables used by single WP have the same prefix.
 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [8 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/extending-database-using-same-or-different-table_prefix/#post-9285493)
 * AFAIK WP will not ever delete tables it did not create unless it’s the same name
   as one it did create. There is always a chance of future clash, but selecting
   unusual table names would make that extremely unlikely. If you run pre-release
   builds on your dev site, you’ll learn of the clash well before the problem hits
   production sites. IMO, any reason for concern is extremely small.
 *  Thread Starter [trevorstokes](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trevortokes/)
 * (@trevortokes)
 * [8 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/extending-database-using-same-or-different-table_prefix/#post-9290901)
 * Great. That’s what I hoped. I can rename my live tables using phpMyAdmin.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The topic ‘Extending database using same or different table_prefix’ is closed to
new replies.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 3 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [trevorstokes](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trevortokes/)
 * Last activity: [8 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/extending-database-using-same-or-different-table_prefix/#post-9290901)
 * Status: resolved

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