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Description

This error signifies that a `CASE` statement in your SQL code (e.g., within a stored procedure, function, or query) has evaluated its conditions but found no matching `WHEN` clause. It specifically triggers when an `ELSE` clause is absent, leaving the `CASE` statement with no defined outcome for unhandled scenarios.

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Error Message

Case not found for CASE statement

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Absence of ELSE Clause

The `CASE` statement lacks an `ELSE` clause to define a default action or value when none of the specified `WHEN` conditions are true.

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Incomplete CASE Logic

The `WHEN` clauses within the `CASE` statement do not cover all possible input values or conditions, leading to a scenario where no explicit match is found.

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Data Value Mismatch

For simple `CASE` statements, the expression being evaluated does not precisely match any of the values defined in the `WHEN` clauses.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Add a Default ELSE Clause easy

Provide a fallback value for cases not explicitly handled.

1

Locate the `CASE` statement in your SQL query or stored procedure that is causing the error.

2

Add an `ELSE` clause at the end of the `CASE` statement. This clause will specify a default value or action to take if none of the preceding `WHEN` conditions are met.

CASE
  WHEN condition1 THEN result1
  WHEN condition2 THEN result2
  ELSE default_result
END

3

If you do not want a specific default value and prefer to return `NULL` when no condition is met, use `ELSE NULL`.

CASE
  WHEN condition1 THEN result1
  WHEN condition2 THEN result2
  ELSE NULL
END

2. Ensure All Possible Conditions are Covered medium

Review and expand WHEN clauses to cover all expected scenarios.

1

Analyze the data or logic that feeds into the `CASE` statement. Identify all possible values or states that the expression being evaluated can take.

2

For each identified possible value or state, add a corresponding `WHEN` clause to your `CASE` statement.

CASE
  WHEN expression = 'value1' THEN result1
  WHEN expression = 'value2' THEN result2
  WHEN expression = 'value3' THEN result3
  -- Add more WHEN clauses as needed
END

3

After ensuring all specific conditions are covered, you can still add an `ELSE` clause for any unexpected or edge-case values. This provides a robust solution.

CASE
  WHEN expression = 'value1' THEN result1
  WHEN expression = 'value2' THEN result2
  WHEN expression = 'value3' THEN result3
  ELSE 'Unknown'
END

3. Simplify the CASE Statement Logic medium

Refactor the CASE statement to reduce complexity and potential omissions.

1

Examine the `CASE` statement for redundant or overly complex conditions. Can any `WHEN` clauses be combined or simplified?

2

If the `CASE` statement is evaluating a single column or expression against multiple values, consider using the simpler `CASE expression WHEN value1 THEN result1 WHEN value2 THEN result2 ... ELSE default_result END` syntax. This syntax implicitly handles the case where the expression doesn't match any `WHEN` values by falling through to the `ELSE`.

CASE column_name
  WHEN 'value1' THEN 'resultA'
  WHEN 'value2' THEN 'resultB'
  ELSE 'defaultResult'
END

3

If the `CASE` statement uses a more complex `CASE WHEN condition1 THEN result1 ...` syntax, ensure that the conditions are mutually exclusive where intended and that a logical `ELSE` is present to catch any remaining possibilities.

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1339: Missing ELSE in CASE