PostgreSQL throws error 22P02 invalid_text_representation when it cannot convert a supplied string to the target data type during INSERT, UPDATE, or explicit CAST.
invalid_text_representation (PostgreSQL 22P02) happens when the database tries to cast a value like 'abc' to a numeric, date, or UUID column and fails. Locate the problematic value with the full error text, sanitize or cast it properly, or change the column type to fix the issue.
PostgreSQL Error 22P02
PostgreSQL returns SQLSTATE 22P02 when it cannot transform a supplied literal into the target column or function argument type. The engine stops the statement and rolls back the current transaction block.
The error shows the target type and the offending value, making it clear which input failed.
Fixing the conversion restores data integrity and lets statements run successfully.
The database raises 22P02 when a value such as 'not-a-number' is written to an INT column, or '2024-02-31' is cast to DATE.
Any mismatch between textual input and the expected internal format can trigger the error.
It frequently appears in ETL pipelines, bulk COPY commands, and application code that builds dynamic SQL without validating parameters.
Start by reading the full error: it lists the column, data type, and failing value. Reproduce the issue with a minimal INSERT or SELECT CAST statement.
Once isolated, clean or transform the value before it reaches PostgreSQL or adjust the column type.
Parameterize queries, validate user input, and use explicit casting functions such as to_number or to_date to enforce safe conversions.
COPY FROM CSV often fails when quoted fields contain unexpected characters. Use the correct DELIMITER and NULL options, or preprocess the file.
UUID columns reject malformed identifiers.
Generate values with gen_random_uuid() or validate them in the application layer.
Numeric fields choke on commas. Strip thousands separators or cast using replace(col, ',', '')::numeric.
Always use parameterized SQL so that the driver sends strongly typed values instead of raw text.
Add CHECK constraints or domain types to catch bad values early.
Run staging loads in Galaxy’s editor to preview data before pushing to production.
SQLSTATE 22007 invalid_datetime_format occurs when date strings are wrongly formatted. SQLSTATE 42804 datatype_mismatch triggers when assigning incompatible types. SQLSTATE 23505 unique_violation indicates duplicate keys rather than bad casts.
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Strings like '12,345' or 'abc' cannot be cast to INT or NUMERIC and immediately raise 22P02.
Values such as '2023-02-30' do not exist in the Gregorian calendar and fail when cast to DATE.
Any value not matching the 8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal pattern is rejected when inserted into a UUID column.
Improper quoting or delimiter settings feed partial strings into columns, leading to conversion failures.
Building queries via string concatenation forces PostgreSQL to guess types, increasing the chance of mismatches.
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CSV files often include thousands separators, bad dates, or empty strings that do not match the target column types. Configure the correct delimiter and NULL options or preprocess the file.
No. PostgreSQL enforces type safety. You can wrap inserts in TRY…CATCH logic or load into staging tables with TEXT columns first.
Galaxy highlights column types, offers AI-powered linting, and lets you preview result sets before executing bulk inserts, reducing conversion errors.
Explicit casts may add negligible overhead but prevent rollbacks, making them faster overall in production pipelines.
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