Error
Error Code:
4083
MySQL Error 4083: Need Table Rebuild for Column Type
Description
This error indicates that an ALTER TABLE operation attempted to change a column's data type in a way that MySQL cannot perform without rebuilding the entire table. It typically occurs when using ALGORITHM=INSTANT or ALGORITHM=INPLACE for modifications that are not supported as online DDL operations for the specific data type conversion.
Error Message
Need to rebuild the table to change column type
Known Causes
3 known causesUnsupported Column Type Change
Attempting to alter a column's data type (e.g., changing INT to VARCHAR, or reducing precision) that requires a full table rebuild for data conversion.
Restrictive ALTER TABLE Algorithm
Using ALGORITHM=INSTANT or ALGORITHM=INPLACE for an ALTER TABLE operation that modifies column types in a way that MySQL's online DDL does not support.
Incompatible Data Type Conversion
The specific conversion between the old and new column data types is complex, or might involve data loss, necessitating a physical rewrite of the table data.
Solutions
Coming SoonGeneral Troubleshooting Tips
- Check the error message carefully for specific details
- Review recent changes that might have caused the error
- Search for the exact error code in the official documentation
- Check log files for additional context
- Try restarting the application or service