When we create a CartoDB table using SQL, is there a way to register it with the tables dashboard?

Question

I have been able to create tables that conform to the CartoDB style by the following method:

1. Create empty table [table name], no columns via SQL API

2. SELECT CDB_Cartodbyfy([table name]) via SQL API

3. Insert [table name] and current time into CDB_TableMetadata

4. Add user columns and data via SQL API

I can even get the table to show up on the CartoDB tables dashboard, by creating an empty table and then renaming it to [table name]. However, what I really want is a way to make my programmatically-created tables appear on the dashboard without having to manually interact with the CartoDB web app.

I suspect I could make this happen by posting to the Imports API with table_name=[new table name]&table_copy=[table name]. However, using the table_copy parameter is forbidden, and I do not wish to violate that.

So, my question is this: Is there a way to accomplish what I want (programmatic registration of existing tables) without violating the rules of CartoDB's APIs?

• javisantana: Not easily but we are working on it: github.com/CartoDB/cartodb/issues/909
• iriberri: Hi Jake, as Javi Santana mentioned above, the fix is already deployed. If you are interested in betatesting this, we could activate it for your account. Just let us know!
• Jake Molnar: @iriberri I would love to beta test it! My account is 'safedev'
• iriberri: It's already activated @JakeMolnar :-)
• Jake Molnar: @iriberri Awesome! :)

Answer 1

basically this is the guide: https://github.com/CartoDB/cartodb/wiki/creating-tables-though-the-SQL-API

the important information:

lets create a table using SQL API:

create table test (whatever int);

at this point you will not able to see table test in the editor

select cdb_cartodbfytable('test');

Now if you go to your dashboard should appear (it takes some seconds to be available, so refresh after a bit if it's not there)

For people using multiuser account you need to include your username in cdb_cartodbfytable call:

select cdb_cartodbfytable('myuser', 'test');

• John Powell: Phew, I thought I was going crazy, cdb_cartodbfytable is very useful.