How to get list of ALL wordpress tables in the database?

To get a list of ALL WordPress tables in your database, including core tables, plugin tables, and any custom tables, you have several reliable methods. The best approach depends on your technical comfort level and access to your hosting environment.

Why You Might Need This List

Understanding your WordPress database tables can be useful for:

• Troubleshooting: Identifying tables created by problematic plugins or themes.
• Database Optimization: Finding and cleaning up unnecessary or orphaned tables.
• Development: Understanding the database structure for custom development or data migration.
• Security Audits: Reviewing all tables to ensure no malicious ones exist.

Method 1: Using phpMyAdmin (Recommended for most users)

This is the most common and user-friendly method, typically available through your web hosting control panel.

1. Log in to your Hosting Control Panel: Access your hosting account’s control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin).
2. Find phpMyAdmin: Look for a section related to “Databases” and click on the “phpMyAdmin” link or icon.
3. Select Your WordPress Database: In phpMyAdmin, you’ll see a list of databases on the left sidebar. Click on the database name that your WordPress installation uses.
   • Tip: If you’re unsure which database your WordPress site uses, open your wp-config.php file (located in your WordPress root directory) and look for the line defining DB_NAME.
4. View Tables: Once you’ve selected the correct database, the main panel will display a comprehensive list of all tables within that database. This list includes all core WordPress tables (e.g., wp_posts, wp_users, wp_options), as well as any tables created by your themes, plugins, and custom code.

Method 2: Using WP-CLI (For Developers/Command-Line Users)

If you have SSH access to your server and WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) installed, this is a very efficient and powerful method.

1. Connect via SSH: Use an SSH client (like PuTTY or your terminal) to connect to your server.
2. Navigate to your WordPress Root Directory:

   cd /path/to/your/wordpress/installation
   
   

   (Replace /path/to/your/wordpress/installation with the actual path to your WordPress root directory, e.g., public_html, www, or a specific subfolder).

3. List All Tables: Execute the following WP-CLI command:

   wp db tables --all-tables
   
   

   This command will output a list of every single table found in the database connected to your WordPress installation, regardless of its table prefix.

   • Optional – List only WordPress-prefixed tables: If you only want to see tables that adhere to the WordPress table prefix (defined in your wp-config.php, usually wp_), you can use:

     wp db tables --all-tables-with-prefix
     
     

Method 3: Using a WordPress Plugin (User-Friendly, requires installation)

There are several WordPress plugins designed for database management and optimization that can display a list of your tables within the WordPress admin area.

1. Install a Database Management Plugin:
   • Go to your WordPress admin dashboard.
   • Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for plugins like “WP-Optimize,” “Advanced Database Cleaner,” or “WP-DBManager.”
2. Install and Activate: Choose a reputable plugin, click “Install Now,” and then “Activate.”
3. Access Plugin Features: After activation, the plugin will usually add a new menu item to your WordPress admin sidebar (e.g., under “Tools” or its own top-level menu). Navigate to that menu, and you should find a section or tab that allows you to view your database tables.

Method 4: Using PHP Code (For Developers/Advanced Users)

You can use WordPress’s global $wpdb object to query the database directly. This is useful if you need to programmatically retrieve table names within a theme, a custom plugin, or a temporary standalone script.

1. Create a Temporary PHP File:
   • Using an FTP client or your hosting file manager, navigate to your wp-content/plugins/ directory.
   • Create a new PHP file, for example, list-wp-tables.php.
   • Paste the following code into the file:

   <?php
   /**
    * Plugin Name: List All WordPress Tables
    * Description: A temporary plugin to list all tables in the WordPress database.
    * Version: 1.0
    * Author: Your Name
    */
   
   // Ensure this code runs only within WordPress
   if ( ! defined( 'ABSPATH' ) ) {
       exit; // Exit if accessed directly
   }
   
   add_action( 'admin_notices', 'my_list_all_wp_tables' );
   
   function my_list_all_wp_tables() {
       global $wpdb;
   
       echo '<div class="notice notice-info is-dismissible">';
       echo '<h2>All Database Tables:</h2>';
       echo '<ul>';
   
       // Query to get all table names in the current database
       $all_tables = $wpdb->get_results("SHOW TABLES", ARRAY_N);
   
       foreach ($all_tables as $table) {
           echo '<li>' . esc_html($table[0]) . '</li>';
       }
       echo '</ul>';
   
       echo '<h2>WordPress Core & Plugin Tables (with WP prefix):</h2>';
       echo '<ul>';
   
       // Get WordPress tables using $wpdb->tables() - generally includes tables that adhere to the WP prefix
       // 'all' scope fetches tables for all blogs in multisite, 'true' includes prefix.
       // For a single site, this will show all tables with your defined prefix.
       $wp_prefixed_tables = $wpdb->tables('all', true);
   
       foreach ($wp_prefixed_tables as $table_name) {
           echo '<li>' . esc_html($table_name) . '</li>';
       }
       echo '</ul>';
       echo '</div>'; // Close notice div
   }
   
   // IMPORTANT: Remember to deactivate and delete this plugin after use
   // to avoid exposing database information and for security.
   ?>
    

2. Activate the Temporary Plugin:
   • Go to your WordPress admin dashboard.
   • Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
   • Find “List All WordPress Tables” and click “Activate.”
3. View the List: The list of tables will appear as an “Admin Notice” at the top of your WordPress admin pages.
4. Deactivate and Delete: Crucially, after you have obtained the list, go back to “Plugins > Installed Plugins,” deactivate “List All WordPress Tables,” and then delete it. This is vital for security and to prevent unnecessary code from running on your site.

Choose the method that best fits your access and comfort level. For most users, phpMyAdmin is the simplest and most direct way to see all tables.