22P03 occurs when PostgreSQL cannot convert a text literal or byte stream into the requested binary data type.
PostgreSQL error 22P03 invalid_binary_representation appears when the server fails to cast a value into a binary-related type (bytea, uuid, inet). Check the literal or parameter, strip non-hex characters, and use proper escape syntax to fix the issue.
PostgreSQL Error 22P03
PostgreSQL raises 22P03 when it cannot translate a given literal or parameter into the target binary data type. The failure happens before the statement executes, so no data is written or updated.
The error is common with bytea, uuid, inet, macaddr, bit, and varbit columns because each type enforces strict binary formats.
Fixing the literal or using correct escape syntax clears the problem immediately.
Incorrect escape sequences or missing E'...': inserting raw backslashes into a bytea literal triggers 22P03.
Supplying non-hexadecimal characters in a uuid string or including braces also causes conversion failure.
Feeding IPv4 strings to an inet column expecting CIDR, or vice-versa, raises the same error.
Copying data with COPY ...
FROM STDIN fails if the file includes characters outside the accepted bit pattern.
Validate the value before executing the statement.
For bytea, wrap the string with decode(value,'hex') or use E'\\x....' notation.
For uuid, remove braces and dashes or call uuid_generate_v4() to create valid values.
Use casting helpers like inet('192.168.1.1') for IP addresses.
Always parameterize queries in Galaxy or other editors to avoid accidental format errors.
INSERT failure: casting an uploaded file into bytea without encode - convert the file to hex first.
BULK LOAD: COPY of UUID column fails - sanitize CSV values with regex before import.
Migration scripts: hard-coded MAC address with wrong delimiter - replace dashes with colons.
Galaxy users can run PREVIEW to spot conversion errors before final execution, preventing the 22P03 interruption.
Always use parameterized statements or Postgres functions rather than string concatenation.
Validate external data with CHECK constraints or domain types to block bad rows early.
Store raw files outside the database and reference paths if possible, limiting bytea insertions.
Leverage Galaxys AI copilot to rewrite risky literals into safe parameterized forms.
22023 invalid_parameter_value - arises when parameters violate type limits; check enum ranges.
22P02 invalid_text_representation - triggered by bad numeric or date strings; sanitize input similarly.
23502 not_null_violation - occurs when casting fails and nulls are inserted; ensure default handling.
42703 undefined_column - generated when CAST syntax mistakenly identifies a type name as a column; qualify identifiers correctly.
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Check the full server log or add explicit column lists in INSERT to isolate the failing value.
Yes, the statement fails and rolls back unless you are inside a savepoint and handle the exception.
It prevents backslash escapes from being misread, but you must still use proper bytea or uuid formats.
Galaxys inline error surfacing shows 22P03 immediately and its AI copilot suggests corrected syntax.
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