Error 62: SYNTAX_ERROR

Tip

This error occurs when ClickHouse's SQL parser encounters invalid SQL syntax that it cannot interpret. It indicates that your query contains syntax errors such as missing keywords, incorrect punctuation, typos in commands, or malformed SQL statements.

Most common causes

1. Missing or incorrect punctuation

   • Missing commas between columns or values
   • Missing or mismatched parentheses
   • Missing or extra quotes (single or double)
   • Missing semicolons in multi-statement queries

2. Typos in SQL keywords or function names

   • Misspelled SQL keywords (SELCT instead of SELECT)
   • Wrong function names or syntax
   • Case sensitivity issues in identifiers

3. Incorrect query structure

   • Missing required clauses (e.g., FROM clause)
   • Clauses in the wrong order
   • Invalid combinations of keywords

4. Quote and identifier issues

   • Using wrong quote types (double quotes for strings instead of single)
   • Unescaped quotes within strings
   • Missing backticks for identifiers with special characters

5. Data format confusion

   • Trying to execute data as SQL
   • CSV/TSV data interpreted as SQL commands
   • Binary or non-text data in SQL context

6. Incomplete or truncated queries

   • Query cut off mid-statement
   • Missing closing parentheses or brackets
   • Incomplete expressions

Common solutions

1. Check for missing or extra punctuation

-- WRONG: Missing comma
SELECT 
    column1
    column2
FROM table;

-- CORRECT: Include comma
SELECT 
    column1,
    column2
FROM table;

2. Verify quote types

-- WRONG: Double quotes for string literals
SELECT * FROM table WHERE name = "John";

-- CORRECT: Single quotes for string literals
SELECT * FROM table WHERE name = 'John';

-- Note: Backticks for identifiers with special characters
SELECT `column-name` FROM table;

3. Check parentheses balance

-- WRONG: Unbalanced parentheses
SELECT * FROM table WHERE (column1 = 1 AND column2 = 2;

-- CORRECT: Balanced parentheses
SELECT * FROM table WHERE (column1 = 1 AND column2 = 2);

4. Verify keyword spelling and order

-- WRONG: Incorrect keyword order
SELECT * WHERE column1 = 1 FROM table;

-- CORRECT: Proper keyword order
SELECT * FROM table WHERE column1 = 1;

5. Use proper identifiers for reserved words

-- WRONG: Using reserved word without escaping
SELECT from FROM table;

-- CORRECT: Escape reserved words with backticks
SELECT `from` FROM table;

6. Check for data vs SQL confusion

-- ERROR: Trying to execute data as SQL
85c59771-ae5d-4a53-9eed-9418296281f8  Intelligent Search

-- This is data, not SQL - use INSERT INTO or file import instead
INSERT INTO table VALUES ('85c59771-ae5d-4a53-9eed-9418296281f8', 'Intelligent Search');

Common scenarios

Scenario 1: Missing comma in column list

Error: Syntax error: failed at position X

Cause: Forgot comma between column names.

Solution:

-- WRONG
SELECT 
    id
    name
    email
FROM users;

-- CORRECT
SELECT 
    id,
    name,
    email
FROM users;

Scenario 2: Data interpreted as SQL

Error: Syntax error: failed at position 1 ('85c59771')

Cause: Trying to insert data directly without INSERT statement.

Solution:

-- Use proper INSERT syntax
INSERT INTO table FORMAT TSV
85c59771-ae5d-4a53-9eed-9418296281f8    Intelligent Search    2021-06-18

Scenario 3: Unescaped quotes in strings

Error: Syntax error (missing closing quote)

Cause: String contains quotes that aren't escaped.

Solution:

-- WRONG
SELECT 'It's a test';

-- CORRECT: Escape with backslash or double the quote
SELECT 'It\'s a test';
-- OR
SELECT 'It''s a test';

Scenario 4: Missing parentheses in function calls

Error: Syntax error

Cause: Function call without parentheses.

Solution:

-- WRONG
SELECT now, count
FROM table;

-- CORRECT
SELECT now(), count()
FROM table;

Scenario 5: Invalid alias syntax

Error: Syntax error

Cause: Using AS incorrectly or missing quotes for aliases with spaces.

Solution:

-- WRONG
SELECT column1 myColumn Name
FROM table;

-- CORRECT
SELECT column1 AS `myColumn Name`
FROM table;

-- OR better
SELECT column1 AS my_column_name
FROM table;

Prevention tips

1. Use a SQL formatter: Format queries before execution to catch syntax issues
2. Test incrementally: Build complex queries step by step
3. Use IDE with syntax highlighting: Many editors catch syntax errors before execution
4. Check for balanced punctuation: Verify all parentheses, brackets, and quotes are matched
5. Review error position: Error message usually indicates where parsing failed
6. Validate with EXPLAIN: Use EXPLAIN SYNTAX to check query parsing without execution
7. Copy-paste with caution: Hidden characters from copy-paste can cause syntax errors

Debugging steps

1. Read the error message carefully:

   Syntax error: failed at position 45 ('WHERE') (line 3, col 5)
   

   The error tells you exactly where it failed.

2. Use EXPLAIN SYNTAX to test:

   EXPLAIN SYNTAX
   SELECT * FROM table WHERE column = 'value';
   

3. Simplify the query:

   Start with the simplest valid query and add complexity:

   -- Start here
   SELECT * FROM table;
   
   -- Add WHERE
   SELECT * FROM table WHERE id = 1;
   
   -- Add more conditions
   SELECT * FROM table WHERE id = 1 AND name = 'test';
   

4. Check for invisible characters:

   • Copy to plain text editor
   • Look for non-standard spaces or characters
   • Retype the query if needed

5. Verify quote matching:

   Count opening and closing quotes:

   -- Use editor's bracket matching feature
   -- Or manually count: ', ', ", (, ), [, ]
   

6. Check the query log:

   SELECT 
       query,
       exception
   FROM system.query_log
   WHERE exception_code = 62
   ORDER BY event_time DESC
   LIMIT 5;
   

Special considerations

For file imports:

• Ensure you're using correct format specification (FORMAT CSV, FORMAT TSV, etc.)
• Don't try to execute data as SQL queries
• Use appropriate import methods for bulk data

For programmatic query generation:

• Use parameterized queries or prepared statements
• Properly escape identifiers and values
• Validate generated SQL before execution
• Consider using query builders that handle syntax

For complex queries:

• Break into CTEs (Common Table Expressions) for readability
• Use proper indentation
• Comment complex sections
• Test subqueries independently

For special characters:

• Use backticks for identifiers: `my-column`
• Use single quotes for strings: 'my string'
• Escape quotes within strings: 'it\'s' or 'it''s'

Common SQL syntax rules in ClickHouse

1. String literals: Use single quotes 'string'
2. Identifiers: Use backticks for special characters `identifier`
3. Comments:
   • Single line: -- comment
   • Multi-line: /* comment */
4. Statement terminator: Semicolon ; (optional for single statements)
5. Case sensitivity:
   • Keywords are case-insensitive
   • Table/column names are case-sensitive by default
6. Number formats:
   • Integers: 123
   • Floats: 123.45
   • Scientific: 1.23e10

If you're experiencing this error:

1. Read the error message to find the exact position of the syntax error
2. Check for missing commas, parentheses, or quotes around that position
3. Verify SQL keywords are spelled correctly
4. Ensure you're using proper quote types (single quotes for strings)
5. Make sure you're executing SQL, not raw data
6. Use EXPLAIN SYNTAX to validate query structure
7. Simplify the query to isolate the syntax issue