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I'd like to to extend the wp_users table in my WordPress' database.
Why? I want people to add more information about themselves when they sing up at my website.

I know how to extend it, but I'm afraid that when WordPress needs an update the wp_users table, i.e. the columns I added, will be deleted.

I there anyone here who has some experience with extending the wp_users table?
Will this table be updated when the WordPress version is updated?

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    Why don’t you want to use user meta fields?
    – fuxia ♦
    Apr 19, 2013 at 12:39

1 Answer 1

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There are data loss risks to doing this! If you do this you might lose any data stored this way when WP updates and "fixes" the table schema in a database upgrade.

Instead of modifying the user table, make use of User Meta. It has a dedicated table, and works the same way as post meta, but for users.

  • add_user_meta
  • get_user_meta
  • update_user_meta

There are also user taxonomies and terms, but meta is the best way to attach additional data to a user.

There are many tutorials explaining how to add additional fields to the user profile using User meta to store them, and it's how a lot of standard data is stored already, such as the positions of boxes on the dashboard when you drag them around, how many posts to show at once in the edit screen, or which popups you've clicked dismiss on

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    Thanks, I didn't knew user_meta existed! I will definitely look to this option, thanks again! :)
    – Ronny Rook
    Apr 21, 2013 at 21:07
  • So I was looking into the add_user_meta function, and in the codex I found: add_user_meta( $user_id, '_level_of_awesomeness', $awesome_level); But I want to use the data when someone registers, so there is no $user_id yet. Is it still possible to use it in some way then? @tom-j-nowell
    – Ronny Rook
    Apr 22, 2013 at 7:16
  • that's a new question and one that you should ask as a new question ( hint: asking in comments is a good way of depriving yourself of potential upvotes/reputation from new questions )
    – Tom J Nowell ♦
    Apr 22, 2013 at 9:28

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