The error appears when ORDER BY contains an aggregate function in a SELECT that lacks GROUP BY or other aggregation context.
ER_AGGREGATE_ORDER_NON_AGG_QUERY arises when an ORDER BY clause holds an aggregate like SUM() or COUNT() in a query without GROUP BY. Remove the aggregate or add an appropriate GROUP BY to resolve the issue.
ER_AGGREGATE_ORDER_NON_AGG_QUERY
Error 3029 (SQLSTATE HY000) is raised when a SELECT statement uses ORDER BY with an aggregate function such as SUM(), COUNT(), MAX(), MIN(), or AVG() but the query itself is not aggregated with GROUP BY, DISTINCT, or a window function.
MySQL added this safeguard in version 5.7.5 to prevent ambiguous result sets where rows cannot be reliably ordered by values derived from multiple rows.
The message appears immediately when the SQL parser detects an aggregate in ORDER BY without the surrounding aggregation context. It blocks execution before any data retrieval starts.
Developers typically see it while refactoring reports, copying snippets from BI tools, or adding quick ORDER BY clauses for readability.
Leaving the query uncorrected leads to failed deployments, broken reports, and blocked ETL jobs. Fixing it ensures predictable ordering and keeps production pipelines healthy.
Placing SUM(), COUNT(), or a similar aggregate directly inside ORDER BY for a simple SELECT is the primary trigger. MySQL cannot evaluate row-level ordering using multi-row calculations without grouping.
Another cause is using ORDER BY 3 when the third SELECT column is an aggregate, yet the query lacks GROUP BY. The positional reference still counts as an aggregate expression.
The quickest remedy is ordering by a non-aggregate column or by a column alias already computed in a GROUP BY query.
If the aggregate sort is required, rewrite the statement with GROUP BY or a subquery that returns the aggregate per group, then order the outer query.
Reporting queries that total revenue but forget GROUP BY date often hit this error. Add GROUP BY date and select the aggregate correctly.
Analytics dashboards sometimes wrap ORDER BY SUM(value) around a raw fact table. Move the aggregation into a CTE or subquery, then order.
Always design ORDER BY clauses after deciding on aggregation strategy. Validate queries in a modern SQL IDE like Galaxy that underlines aggregate mis-use in real time.
Write unit tests for critical ETL steps to detect syntax errors early. Enable MySQL SQL_MODE options that enforce strict standards.
ER_MIX_OF_GROUP_FUNC_AND_FIELDS occurs when non-aggregated columns appear with aggregates in SELECT without GROUP BY. The fix pattern is similar: add grouping or remove the offending column.
ER_WRONG_FIELD_WITH_GROUP handles invalid HAVING references and is resolved by selecting aggregated or grouped columns only.
A developer appends ORDER BY SUM(sales) to a plain SELECT, triggering the error because MySQL cannot order individual rows by a multi-row calculation.
Using ORDER BY 3 when the third column is COUNT(*) causes the same issue since position 3 expands to the aggregate expression.
Applications that stitch SQL fragments sometimes forget to add GROUP BY when adding aggregate functions, leading to this runtime failure.
Raised when non-aggregated columns mix with aggregates in SELECT without GROUP BY.
Occurs when HAVING or ORDER BY references columns not in GROUP BY.
Appears when the SELECT list contains columns that are neither aggregated nor grouped.
No. The check is hard-coded from 5.7.5 onward. Queries must be rewritten.
Yes. DISTINCT counts as an aggregation context, so ORDER BY COUNT(*) works if SELECT DISTINCT is used.
MySQL 5.7.5 introduced the stricter validation. Older versions allowed ambiguous ordering, so upgrading exposes latent issues.
Galaxy’s editor warns about aggregate misuse in real time and its AI copilot suggests correct GROUP BY clauses, reducing debugging time.
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