How to Troubleshoot SQL Syntax

Last Updated: May 14, 2021 2:06:04 PM PDT

Use this checklist to resolve SQL syntax problems.

Note: If you don't know the SQL programming language, you can use QueryLink by clicking the Queries button in FinancialLink, EmployeeLink, Student/ Class Info tools, and DataLink.

The table referenced in the from clause cannot be found.

Check the spelling of the table name.
- Did you spell the table name using the proper case? (Table names in the SQL-DSE database are uppercase.)
- Does the table name require a dash or an underscore?
Does the table referenced in the SQL belong to the selected database?
Do you have all of the tables listed in the from clause?

You have entered an invalid data field name.

Is the data field name spelled correctly?
- Are you using an underscore, not a dash, in the data field name?
- Did you spell the field name using the proper case? (Field names in the SQL-DSE database are uppercase.)
Is the table associated with the data field name listed in the from clause?

You get an incorrect syntax near a word in your SQL statement.

Are you using commas correctly?
Is your select statement listing the modifying clause statement in the correct order?
Do you need a logical connector such as the keyword and in your where clause?
If comparing data, are you using the correct keyword?

An implicit conversion from datatype varchar to int is not allowed.

Have you included or excluded quotation marks for the value?

An operand-type clash such as int is incompatible with smalldatetime.

Have you left out quotation marks for the smalldatetime value?

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