How to Fix BigQuery Syntax Errors in PostgreSQL

Galaxy Glossary

How do I fix the “Syntax error” in BigQuery?

Quickly diagnose and correct BigQuery syntax errors so your SQL runs without interruption.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

Why does BigQuery return a “syntax error”?

BigQuery throws a syntax error when the SQL parser encounters an unexpected token such as a missing comma, stray quotation mark, outdated legacy-SQL keyword, or mis-matched parentheses.

How can I pinpoint the exact error location?

Read the error message: BigQuery highlights the first unexpected token and shows the byte offset.Copy the query into Galaxy or the BigQuery UI; both tools underline the failing part for faster debugging.

What is the correct SELECT syntax in BigQuery?

StandardSQL expects SELECT <columns> FROM <dataset.table> [WHERE] [GROUP BY] [HAVING] [ORDER BY] [LIMIT]. Clause order matters; swapping them triggers a syntax error.

How do I escape table and column names correctly?

Use back-ticks (`) around dataset, table, or column names that contain uppercase letters, spaces, or reserved words.Do not mix single quotes ('') for identifiers; single quotes are for string literals only.

Example

SELECT `name`, `total_amount` FROM `shop.Orders` WHERE `order_date` > '2023-01-01';

How do I merge data without errors?

Always specify the target alias before the source in MERGE.Incorrect alias placement is a frequent syntax issue.

Correct pattern

MERGE `shop.Customers` AS t USING `staging.new_customers` AS s ON t.id = s.id WHEN NOT MATCHED THEN INSERT (id, name, email, created_at) VALUES (s.id, s.name, s.email, s.created_at);

Why does legacy SQL cause syntax errors?

BigQuery defaults to StandardSQL. Legacy-SQL features like SELECT * EXCEPT() or square-bracket table names break. Add #legacySQL or convert to Standard.

Best practices to avoid syntax errors

1) Enable StandardSQL mode explicitly with --standardSQL. 2) Format queries with Galaxy’s formatter.3) Validate query fragments incrementally. 4) Use parameterized queries instead of string-concatenation.

How do I test large queries safely?

Wrap risky DML in BEGIN TRANSACTION … ROLLBACK to confirm syntax first. Use LIMIT 10 during testing to shorten feedback loops.

Can I automate syntax checks?

Yes. gcloud’s bq query --dry_run --use_legacy_sql=false validates SQL without executing it. Integrate into CI to stop faulty code before deployment.

Why How to Fix BigQuery Syntax Errors in PostgreSQL is important

How to Fix BigQuery Syntax Errors in PostgreSQL Example Usage


-- Find high-value orders with correct syntax
SELECT c.name, o.id AS order_id, o.total_amount
FROM `shop.Customers`  AS c
JOIN `shop.Orders`     AS o ON o.customer_id = c.id
WHERE o.total_amount &gt; 500
ORDER BY o.total_amount DESC
LIMIT 20;

How to Fix BigQuery Syntax Errors in PostgreSQL Syntax


-- Basic SELECT
SELECT column_list
FROM `project.dataset.table`
[WHERE condition]
[GROUP BY columns]
[HAVING condition]
[ORDER BY columns [ASC|DESC]]
[LIMIT n];

-- INSERT example with ecommerce tables
INSERT INTO `shop.Orders` (id, customer_id, order_date, total_amount)
VALUES (101, 7, '2023-10-01', 250.00);

-- MERGE pattern (upsert)
MERGE `shop.Customers` AS target
USING `staging.new_customers` AS src
ON target.id = src.id
WHEN MATCHED THEN UPDATE SET name = src.name, email = src.email
WHEN NOT MATCHED THEN INSERT (id, name, email, created_at)
VALUES (src.id, src.name, src.email, src.created_at);

Common Mistakes

Using single quotes around identifiers. Single quotes define strings; identifiers need back-ticks. Replace 'Orders' with `Orders` to resolve.
Misplaced LIMIT before ORDER BY. BigQuery requires ORDER BY before LIMIT. Swap clause order to avoid a syntax error.