<p>The table engine you are using does not support SPATIAL indexes, triggering error 1464 when you try to create one.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1464 ER_TABLE_CANT_HANDLE_SPKEYS occurs because the chosen storage engine cannot store SPATIAL indexes. Switch the table to InnoDB or another engine that supports SPATIAL keys to resolve the issue.</p>
The used table type doesn't support SPATIAL indexes
Error 1464 fires when you attempt to create a SPATIAL index on a table whose storage engine lacks SPATIAL support. MySQL stops the statement and returns the message The used table type doesn't support SPATIAL indexes.
Because SPATIAL indexes depend on engine-level features, only engines like InnoDB and MyISAM (in older versions) can host them. Any CREATE INDEX, ALTER TABLE, or CREATE TABLE statement that targets an unsupported engine will fail immediately.
The main trigger is using a storage engine that does not implement the R-tree index structure required for SPATIAL keys. The most common offenders are MEMORY, CSV, ARCHIVE, NDB, and any custom engine built without spatial extensions.
The error can also surface after a table is migrated between engines or restored from a dump that silently changed the engine type.
Convert the table to an engine that supports SPATIAL indexes, usually InnoDB. Then recreate the SPATIAL index. Altering the table engine is non-destructive, but you should back up data first.
If switching engines is impossible, redesign the schema to avoid SPATIAL keys or move geospatial logic to a dedicated spatial database such as PostGIS.
On legacy MyISAM tables upgraded to InnoDB, add a PRIMARY KEY or UNIQUE KEY on the geometry column before adding the SPATIAL index in MySQL 5.7 and below.
When using horizontal partitioning, ensure every partition also uses an engine that supports SPATIAL indexes; otherwise each partition throw error 1464 independently.
Standardize on InnoDB for all spatial tables and declare ENGINE=InnoDB explicitly in CREATE TABLE scripts. Automate schema reviews so that CI checks block SPATIAL indexes on unsupported engines.
Use Galaxy Collections to store vetted spatial DDL snippets so engineers reuse the correct patterns and never copy code that defaults to MEMORY or CSV.
Error 1071 Index column size too large appears when geometry columns exceed index limits. Shrink column length or upgrade MySQL.
Error 150 Cannot add foreign key constraint may arise after converting engines; re-create constraints after the engine change.
Creating a SPATIAL index on MEMORY, CSV, ARCHIVE, or NDB tables triggers error 1464 immediately.
Restoring dumps without ENGINE clauses may default to the server's default engine, losing SPATIAL capability.
Mixing partition engines causes MySQL to reject the SPATIAL index creation because at least one partition lacks support.
Older MySQL versions restrict SPATIAL support to MyISAM only, so InnoDB tables raise the same error until version 5.7.
This error arises when the indexed column exceeds MySQL's size limit, often seen with lengthy VARCHAR or BLOB columns.
This occurs when foreign keys reference non-indexed or mismatched columns after engine conversions.
Appears when trying to enable system versioning on engines lacking support.
No. MEMORY lacks the R-tree implementation required for SPATIAL support, so any attempt triggers error 1464.
Native InnoDB SPATIAL support begins in MySQL 5.7. Prior releases require MyISAM or external solutions.
ALTER TABLE ... ENGINE conversion is online for small tables but can lock larger tables. Always back up before conversion.
Galaxy's AI copilot detects engine mismatches during query drafting and suggests ENGINE=InnoDB when adding SPATIAL indexes, preventing the error before execution.
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