Learn how to create table with utf8mb4 in MySQL. Our MySQL Support team is here to help you with your questions and concerns.

MySQL Create Table utf8mb4 | Guide

Did you know that in MySQL, the utf8mb4 character set is an extension of the original utf8 character set?

Its power lies in its ability to support a wider spectrum of characters, including emojis and supplementary characters beyond the Basic Multilingual Plane (BMP).

Today, we are going to take a closer look at utf8mb4 and use it for databases that handle diverse linguistic and symbol sets.

Unlocking the Potential of utf8mb4

The utf8mb4 character set becomes indispensable when our database needs to handle characters from different languages and symbol sets. Its expanded range results in a large storage of emojis and characters beyond the usual scope of utf8.

Here is the syntax to follow when we create a table in MySQL with utf8mb4:

Let’s take a look at an example:

Here:

• CHARACTER SET utf8mb4: Specifies the character set for a given column, ensuring compatibility with characters outside the BMP.
• ENGINE=InnoDB: Defines the storage engine for the table, with InnoDB being a common choice in MySQL.
• DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4: Establishes the default character set for the entire table. It is a best practice for tables dealing with a diverse character range.

Our experts would like to point out that the character set is specified at both the column and table levels, with the column-level setting taking precedence if specified at both levels.

Handling Existing Tables: Switching to utf8mb4

If we have an existing table and want to use the benefits of utf8mb4, MySQL offers a straightforward solution:

We have to replace ‘your_table_name’ with the table name. This command modifies the character set and collation for all columns in the table, resulting in a smooth transition to utf8mb4.

Furthermore, we have to ensure that our MySQL server, client, and application are configured to use utf8mb4 when employing this character set. This will prevent potential character encoding issues.

In the world of MySQL databases, adopting the utf8mb4 character set is a strategic move for accommodating a rich tapestry of characters. By understanding the syntax for table creation and the seamless transition for existing tables, you empower your database to handle diverse linguistic and symbol sets with ease.

Embrace the diversity utf8mb4 brings to your MySQL database and ensure a harmonious coexistence of characters in your data ecosystem.

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Conclusion

Today, our Support Engineers demonstrated how to adopt the utf8mb4 character set in MySQL while creating a table.