MySQL raises ER_TOO_BIG_SET (error 1097) when a SET column definition lists more than 64 permitted strings.
MySQL Error 1097: ER_TOO_BIG_SET appears when a SET column lists over 64 strings, breaching MySQL’s limit. Reduce the list to 64 or fewer, switch to ENUM, or normalize the data to resolve the issue.
Too many strings for column %s and SET
Error 1097, ER_TOO_BIG_SET, occurs when a CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE statement defines a SET column with more than 64 distinct strings. MySQL hard-limits SET members to 64, so exceeding this limit halts the statement.<\/p>
The server returns SQLSTATE HY000 and the message “Too many strings for column column_name and SET,” identifying the offending column.
Fixing the schema definition is mandatory before the DDL will succeed.<\/p>
Exceeding MySQL’s 64-member cap in a SET definition is the direct trigger. Developers often generate the list dynamically or copy large ENUM lists without counting items, inadvertently passing the limit.<\/p>
MySQL versions 5.0 through 8.1 all enforce the same 64-string ceiling, so upgrading will not resolve the problem.
The limit is architectural.<\/p>
Count the strings in your SET list and reduce them to 64 or fewer. If the domain truly needs more values, switch to ENUM (65,535 limit) or move the values to a lookup table with a foreign key.<\/p>
After adjusting the schema, rerun the DDL.
The statement will succeed once the SET definition respects the hard limit.<\/p>
Bulk-generated data dictionaries frequently copy hundreds of status codes into a SET column. Trim the list or use ENUM.<\/p>
Legacy migrations sometimes concatenate multiple lookup tables into a single SET. Normalize back to relational tables to avoid the limit.<\/p>
Audit SET columns during code review and CI pipelines.
Add checks that fail builds when a list exceeds 64 entries.<\/p>
Leverage Galaxy’s AI copilot, which flags oversized SET definitions in real time as you type, preventing the error before execution.<\/p>
ERROR 1263 (ER_TOO_BIG_ENUM): Raised when ENUM exceeds 65,535 values. Solution: normalize to a reference table.<\/p>
ERROR 1366 (HY000) incorrect string value: Indicates invalid character set for inserted SET value. Ensure value exists in the definition or change collation.<\/p>.
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