Postgresql: ERROR: type "citext" does not exist

Question

I have read other posts, when searching, an answer to this question.

I am using PostgreSQL 9.1, and created extension 'citext' using CREATE EXTENSION citext, but when I try to create any columns of type 'citext', it throws this error

ERROR: type "citext" does not exist

I researched but did not find any concrete answers? Any idea why?

Answer 1

Ok figured it out. I have several databases and CREATE EXTENSION citext has to be run for each db to install the extension in that DB. You must do on psql prompt:

psql =# \c db_1 CREATE EXTENSION citext;  psql =# \c db_2 CREATE EXTENSION citext; 

Hope it helps others. Thank you.

Answer 2

@NullException is correct that the extension needs to be created in each database. If you want to automatically have an extension created, you can create it in the template1 database which (by default, at least) is the database used as a model for "create database", so with appropriate permissions, in psql:

\c template1 create extension citext; 

Then new databases will include citext by default.