MySQL throws Error 1113 when a CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE statement defines zero columns.
MySQL Error 1113: ER_TABLE_MUST_HAVE_COLUMNS means the engine rejected a CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE statement because no columns were specified. Add at least one properly defined column or cancel the ALTER that removes the last column to resolve the issue.
A table must have at least 1 column
Error 1113 appears when MySQL parses a CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE command that would leave the table without any columns.
The server enforces a minimum of one column per table, so the statement fails at compile time and returns SQLSTATE 42000.
Developers most often meet this error while dynamically generating DDL, refactoring schemas, or running migration scripts that accidentally drop every column.
MySQL raises Error 1113 when a CREATE TABLE statement contains an empty column list.
An ALTER TABLE that sequentially drops or changes columns and ends with zero columns also triggers the error.
Incorrect commas, misplaced parentheses, or conditional logic in migration code can silently strip all columns and surface the error.
Verify the DDL statement and ensure at least one column remains.
Add a primary key or any valid column definition before executing.
For ALTER TABLE workflows, reorder statements so that new columns are added before old ones are removed, preventing an empty table state at any step.
Continuous integration pipelines that run empty migration files often cause the error. Guard against this by validating generated DDL.
Schema-drift tools sometimes drop all columns on rename.
Use transactional migrations or wrap statements in checks that confirm a non-zero column count.
Always script migrations declaratively: add new columns first, populate data, then drop obsolete columns.
Enable strict code review and automated tests that run SHOW COLUMNS after each migration to block commits that leave tables empty.
Galaxy’s SQL editor highlights empty column lists in real time and its AI copilot suggests valid column definitions, preventing Error 1113 before code hits production.
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Raised for general SQL syntax mistakes.
Unlike 1113, 1064 is not specific to empty tables.
Occurs when referencing a table that has not been created or was dropped.
Happens when ALTER TABLE tries to drop a non-existent column, often seen alongside efforts that lead to Error 1113.
Appears when adding a column with a foreign key fails due to missing indexes or incompatible types.
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The storage engine needs a column to allocate rows and maintain metadata. A table with zero columns has no practical use.
Yes. The rule applies equally to permanent and temporary tables created within a session.
No. All MySQL engines enforce the minimum one-column rule.
Galaxy’s real-time linting warns when a CREATE or ALTER statement results in zero columns and the AI copilot suggests corrections.
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