ORA-00942 table or view does not exist

Common SQL Errors

Galaxy Team
June 25, 2025

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Typical Error Message

Explanation

Table of Contents

Common Causes

Object name misspelled

A typo in the table or view identifier prevents Oracle from finding the object.

Wrong schema referenced

The object exists but under a different owner, and the query omits the schema prefix.

Missing privileges

The user lacks SELECT, INSERT, or EXECUTE rights on the referenced object.

Dropped or invalid synonym

An outdated synonym points to a table that was dropped or renamed.

Object created later in the script

A script references a table before it is created in the same execution batch.

Related Errors

FAQs

Does ORA-00942 always mean the table is gone?

No. The table may exist but under a different schema or the user lacks privileges.

Can I ignore ORA-00942 in PL/SQL compilation?

Not safely. Compile errors surface at runtime if ignored. Resolve all missing references.

Is PUBLIC synonym creation safe?

Use cautiously. PUBLIC synonyms simplify access but can mask object ownership and cause security or naming conflicts.

How does Galaxy help?

Galaxy’s context-aware autocomplete and AI linting detect missing objects, suggest schema prefixes, and validate privileges during query authoring.

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