The ER_ILLEGAL_GRANT_FOR_TABLE error appears when a GRANT or REVOKE statement lists privileges that are not valid for the specified object type or MySQL version.
MySQL Error 1144: ER_ILLEGAL_GRANT_FOR_TABLE occurs when a GRANT or REVOKE statement references privileges that MySQL does not allow on that table, view, or routine. Verify which privileges are legal in your MySQL version, then reissue GRANT with valid privilege names to resolve the error.
Illegal GRANT/REVOKE command; please consult the manual
MySQL raises ER_ILLEGAL_GRANT_FOR_TABLE (SQLSTATE 42000) when a GRANT or REVOKE command contains a privilege that cannot be applied to the referenced object type.
The server blocks the statement to protect privilege integrity.
The error text appears as: "Error 1144 (42000): Illegal GRANT/REVOKE command; please consult the manual to see which privileges can be used".
The error surfaces while granting privileges such as EXECUTE, FILE, or SUPER on a table, or when combining column-level and global privileges improperly.
It also appears on older MySQL versions that lack certain privilege keywords.
Failed GRANT statements leave accounts without required permissions, blocking application features, deployments, and automated jobs.
Correcting the command ensures least-privilege access and keeps security audits clean.
The next section lists the most frequent triggers so you can diagnose your situation fast.
Step-by-step solutions follow, including valid SQL examples you can paste into any client or into Galaxy’s editor for instant feedback.
Real-world patterns show how the error happens in migrations, automated scripts, and CI/CD pipelines, plus the exact commands that solve them.
Learn how role-based access, version control, and Galaxy’s privilege linting prevent illegal GRANT statements from reaching production.
Understand similar permission issues like ER_NONEXISTING_GRANT and ER_TABLEACCESS_DENIED_ERROR so you can fix them with the same playbook.
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Using SERVER-level privileges such as FILE, PROCESS, or SUPER in a GRANT statement that targets a table triggers the error because those privileges are only valid globally.
Privileges like ROLE_ADMIN or SYSTEM_VARIABLES_ADMIN exist only in newer releases.
Attempting to grant them on older versions produces ER_ILLEGAL_GRANT_FOR_TABLE.
Granting column privileges (e.g., SELECT(column)) together with routine privileges (e.g., EXECUTE) in the same statement is illegal and causes error 1144.
Misspelled privilege keywords or placeholders inserted by configuration tools cause MySQL to reject the GRANT as illegal.
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No. FILE is a global privilege. Grant it using GRANT FILE ON *.* rather than on a table.
No. ROLE_ADMIN and other role management privileges were introduced in MySQL 8.0 and are illegal in MySQL 5.6.
Run SHOW GRANTS FOR 'user'@'host'; or query information_schema.user_privileges and schema_privileges.
Galaxy’s AI copilot validates privilege keywords as you type, auto-suggests legal options, and blocks commits that include unsupported grants.
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