ChangeDropColumnWarn
Last updated: June 9, 2026
ChangeDropColumnWarn is a policy check that warns a user when a column is being dropped so that they can ensure that such a schema change won't lead to unintentional loss of data and unrecoverable data loss.
Uses
Liquibase version required | 4.5.0+ |
Scope (--checks-scope) | changelog |
Default status | enabled |
Default severity (exit code) | 0 ("INFO") |
Customizable settings | No (static) |
Use the check to warn when a column is being dropped. A column drop can lead to a significant schema change which can destroy your organization’s most essential resource: critical data. Such an unintended change can result in permanent data loss, production level service outages, and more. This policy check, like other checks, can be configured with a “severity” level which returns an exit code designed to stop automated jobs, giving your team time to inspect these significant changes.
Before you begin
Ensure that you have correctly specified your Liquibase Secure license key.
Ensure that the
--checks-scopeparameter includes the scope of this check.
Changelog checks prerequisites
Procedure
Enable
This check is enabled by default. To verify that it is currently enabled, run the checks show command:
liquibase checks show --check-name=<string>
To run the check, use the checks run command.
Note: For flow files you'll need to run liquibase flow to apply your changes.
Example output
Short Name | Category | Description | Customization | Status | Severity | Scope | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ChangeDropColumnWarn | Data Protection | Alerts when DROP COLUMN is detected, giving you an opportunity to verify the column removal will not cause data loss or break dependencies, and that both necessary data and application code are migrated or updated. | <None> | enabled | 0 | changelog | sql, xml, yaml, json |
Liquibase command 'checks show' was executed successfully.