you could just alter table and add an int column that is auto increment can't you?

frankly I don't think I have ever added an auto increment to an existing table

Hi jatar_k

Thanks for taking the time out to answer my question.

Yes, this would add a column that would auto-increment for NEW rows. However, I wish my existing rows to also be assigned auto-generated IDs.

From what i have read on the mysql site:
The AUTO_INCREMENT attribute can be used to generate a unique identity for new rows.

Would running the alter command from your post above update the existing rows with an incremental number?

Thanks

-gs

that's where I'm not sure, you could populate a test table and try, as long as you give no default it should do it

the other option would be to add an int col, then make a script to enter the values, then alter it to auto increment and set it to the next value

It worked :)

alter table my_table add id int not null auto_increment primary key

This will work only if there isnt a primary key defined already :)

Thanks again jatar_k

-gs