<p>This error appears when you run a partition operation that only works with RANGE or LIST partitions on a table that is HASH, KEY, or not partitioned.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1512 ER_ONLY_ON_RANGE_LIST_PARTITION occurs when you use REORGANIZE, COALESCE, or similar partition clauses on tables that are not RANGE or LIST partitioned. Convert the table to RANGE or LIST partitioning, or remove the unsupported clause to resolve the issue.</p>
%s PARTITION can only be used on RANGE/LIST partitions
The error text '%s PARTITION can only be used on RANGE/LIST partitions' signals that MySQL rejected a partition management statement because the targeted table is not partitioned with the RANGE or LIST method.
The message usually shows up during ALTER TABLE commands that add, drop, reorganize, or coalesce partitions. MySQL validates the partitioning type before executing the requested action.
The command contains a clause that is valid exclusively for RANGE and LIST partitions, such as REORGANIZE PARTITION, COALESCE PARTITION, or explicit VALUES LESS THAN values, but the table uses HASH, KEY, or no partitioning.
The error can also surface if the statement references a partition name that belongs to a different partitioning scheme than the one defined on the table.
First confirm the table's partitioning type with SHOW CREATE TABLE. If it is HASH or KEY, remove the unsupported clause or convert the table to RANGE or LIST partitioning that suits your workload.
When changing the partitioning scheme, recreate the table with the correct PARTITION BY clause and migrate data, or use ALTER TABLE ... REMOVE PARTITIONING followed by ALTER TABLE ... PARTITION BY RANGE/LIST.
Using REORGANIZE PARTITION on a HASH-partitioned table triggers the error. Switch to RANGE and then re-issue REORGANIZE.
Coalescing partitions on a non-partitioned table also fails. Add RANGE partitions before running COALESCE PARTITION.
Always verify partitioning type before maintenance tasks. Document table schemas and automate checks in deployment scripts.
Use a modern SQL editor like Galaxy to inspect table DDL, share vetted ALTER statements, and prevent unsupported partition operations from reaching production.
Running REORGANIZE, COALESCE, or PARTITION VALUES LESS THAN on a HASH or KEY partitioned table triggers the error.
Executing ALTER TABLE ... REORGANIZE PARTITION when the table has no partitioning defined results in error 1512.
Specifying a partition name that belongs to a different table or partition type can also raise the error.
Appears when a date value is out of range during partition pruning.
Raised when VALUES LESS THAN exceeds the column type limits.
Triggered by ALTER TABLE ... REMOVE PARTITIONING when the table would end up partitionless with unsupported engine options.
No. REORGANIZE PARTITION works only with RANGE or LIST partitioning. Convert the table or choose a compatible command.
Yes. You typically create a new table, copy data, and rename tables, which needs maintenance windows or online DDL tools.
Base the decision on query patterns. Use RANGE for time series, LIST for discrete values, HASH or KEY for even distribution.
Galaxy displays table DDL inline and lets teams endorse tested ALTER statements, reducing the chance of running invalid partition commands.
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