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Description

MariaDB Error 1050, 'Table '%s' already exists', occurs when an SQL statement attempts to create a new table using a name that is already in use within the current database context. This error typically happens during schema initialization, migration, or manual table creation operations.

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Error Message

Table '%s' already exists

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Manual Schema Re-creation

A user or process manually executed a `CREATE TABLE` statement for a table that already exists in the database.

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Scripted Schema Duplication

An application or database migration script attempted to create a table without checking for its prior existence, leading to a duplicate creation attempt.

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Incorrect Database Context

The `CREATE TABLE` statement was executed while connected to the wrong database, where a table with the specified name already exists.

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Case Sensitivity Mismatch

On systems configured for case-insensitive table names, attempting to create a table with a name that differs only by case from an existing table can trigger this error.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Use IF NOT EXISTS easy

Prevent error with existence check

1

Add IF NOT EXISTS to CREATE TABLE

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS users (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100)
);

2. Drop and Recreate easy

Remove existing table first

1

Drop table before creating

DROP TABLE IF EXISTS users;
CREATE TABLE users (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100)
);

3. Use Different Table Name easy

Choose a unique name

1

List existing tables and choose different name

SHOW TABLES;
CREATE TABLE users_v2 (...);

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1050: Table Already Exists