<p>The error appears when a SPATIAL index is defined on columns that are not of a geometry type in MySQL.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1687: ER_SPATIAL_MUST_HAVE_GEOM_COL occurs when you try to create a SPATIAL index without a geometry column. Convert the column to a geometry type or include an existing geometry column to resolve the issue.</p>
A SPATIAL index may only contain a geometrical type
MySQL throws error 1687 when you attempt to create a SPATIAL index that does not include at least one geometry column. Geometry columns include POINT, LINESTRING, POLYGON, or generic GEOMETRY types.
The server checks all columns listed in the index definition. If none are geometry types, it stops the operation and returns this error.
The error surfaces during CREATE INDEX, ALTER TABLE ADD SPATIAL INDEX, or CREATE TABLE statements that define a SPATIAL KEY on non-geometry columns.
It can also appear when a spatial index lists multiple columns and the geometry column is missing or declared after non-geometry columns.
Spatial indexes speed up GIS queries that use functions like ST_Within or ST_Distance. Without a valid spatial index, queries on large spatial datasets can become painfully slow.
Correcting the schema early prevents production slowdowns and ensures compliance with MySQL’s spatial rules.
Developers accidentally apply a SPATIAL index to latitude and longitude numeric columns instead of a POINT geometry column.
The CREATE INDEX statement lists only non-geometry columns, so MySQL finds no valid geometry field.
The geometry column is placed after non-geometry columns, violating the rule that geometry columns must appear first in a SPATIAL index.
Using a non-InnoDB engine that does not fully support spatial types can trigger related indexing issues.
Raised when you attempt to create a duplicate index name in the same table.
Indicates an invalid column definition, often seen when defining geometry columns incorrectly.
Occurs when the spatial reference system identifier (SRID) is invalid or missing.
No. All columns in a SPATIAL index must be geometry types and the geometry column must appear first.
While not required to create the column, assigning an SRID improves consistency for spatial calculations and should match your data’s coordinate system.
Yes. As of MySQL 8.x, only InnoDB fully supports spatial indexes with R-tree algorithms.
Galaxy’s schema-aware autocomplete flags invalid index definitions and its AI copilot suggests correct geometry types, preventing this error before you run the query.
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