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Description

This error occurs when the `INTO` clause, typically used for operations like creating new tables or assigning query results to variables, is incorrectly positioned within an SQL statement. MySQL specifically disallows `INTO` within subqueries and mandates its placement at the very end of any `UNION` clause.

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Error Message

Misplaced INTO clause, INTO is not allowed inside subqueries, and must be placed at end of UNION clauses.

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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INTO Clause in Subquery

The `INTO` clause is erroneously placed inside a subquery, violating MySQL's syntax rules for subquery construction.

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INTO Before End of UNION

When using `UNION` to combine result sets, the `INTO` clause is positioned before the final `SELECT` statement, rather than at the absolute end of the combined query.

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Incorrect SELECT...INTO Usage

Attempting to use `INTO` in a context where `SELECT...INTO` is not supported or misapplied, such as certain complex DML statements.

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Misunderstanding Clause Scope

A lack of understanding regarding where the `INTO` clause is syntactically allowed and its specific purpose in MySQL queries.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Relocate INTO Clause Outside Subquery easy

Move the INTO clause from within a subquery to the outer query.

1

Identify the subquery that incorrectly contains the INTO clause. The INTO clause should only appear once, at the very end of the entire statement.

2

If the intention is to insert the results of the subquery into a table, ensure the INTO clause is placed after the final SELECT statement of the outer query, or after the closing parenthesis of the subquery if it's part of a UNION.

SELECT column1, column2 FROM table1 WHERE condition
INTO OUTFILE '/path/to/file.csv' FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' ENCLOSED BY '"' LINES TERMINATED BY '\n';

3

If the INTO clause is intended to be part of a UNION statement, make sure it's positioned after the last SELECT statement within the UNION.

SELECT columnA FROM tableA
UNION
SELECT columnB FROM tableB
INTO OUTFILE '/path/to/union_results.txt';

2. Correct INTO Clause Placement in UNION Statements easy

Ensure the INTO clause is only at the end of a UNION query.

1

Review your UNION query. The INTO clause (e.g., INTO OUTFILE, INTO DUMPFILE) can only be applied to the final SELECT statement of the entire UNION block.

2

Remove any INTO clauses that are present within individual SELECT statements that are part of the UNION.

SELECT col1 FROM table1 WHERE cond1
UNION
SELECT col2 FROM table2 WHERE cond2 -- Incorrect: INTO clause here will cause error
UNION
SELECT col3 FROM table3 WHERE cond3;

3

Add the INTO clause only after the closing parenthesis of the last SELECT statement in the UNION.

SELECT col1 FROM table1 WHERE cond1
UNION
SELECT col2 FROM table2 WHERE cond2
UNION
SELECT col3 FROM table3 WHERE cond3
INTO OUTFILE '/path/to/file.csv';

3. Rewrite Subquery for Data Insertion medium

If the INTO clause is in a subquery, rephrase the query to insert data into a table.

1

Identify the subquery where the INTO clause is misplaced. Understand what data the subquery is intended to produce.

2

If the goal is to insert the results of the subquery into another table, use the INSERT INTO ... SELECT statement.

INSERT INTO target_table (column1, column2)
SELECT sub_col1, sub_col2
FROM (
    SELECT columnA AS sub_col1, columnB AS sub_col2
    FROM source_table
    WHERE condition
) AS derived_table;

3

If the goal was to write the subquery results to a file, you would first insert the data into a temporary or permanent table, and then use SELECT ... INTO OUTFILE on that table.

-- Step 1: Insert subquery results into a temporary table
CREATE TEMPORARY TABLE temp_subquery_results AS
SELECT columnA, columnB FROM source_table WHERE condition;

-- Step 2: Write temporary table contents to a file
SELECT * FROM temp_subquery_results
INTO OUTFILE '/path/to/file.csv' FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' LINES TERMINATED BY '\n';

-- Optional: Drop the temporary table
DROP TEMPORARY TABLE temp_subquery_results;

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MySQL Error 3954: Misplaced INTO Clause