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Description

This error occurs when defining table partitions in MySQL, specifically using `PARTITION BY RANGE`. It indicates that the `MAXVALUE` keyword, which represents the largest possible value, has been used in a partition definition that is not the very last one. MySQL requires `MAXVALUE` to conclude a range partition scheme, ensuring all values are covered and subsequent partitions are logically impossible.

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Error Message

MAXVALUE can only be used in last partition definition

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Misplaced MAXVALUE in Partition Definition

The SQL statement for creating or altering a table includes `MAXVALUE` in a `PARTITION BY RANGE` clause for a partition that is not the final one in the sequence.

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Attempting to Add Partitions After MAXVALUE

An `ALTER TABLE ADD PARTITION` statement is executed to add new partitions after a partition that was previously defined using `MAXVALUE`.

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Logical Error in Partition Design

The intended partitioning strategy inadvertently places `MAXVALUE` before other range definitions, creating an unworkable or contradictory partition structure.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Correct MAXVALUE Partition Placement easy

Ensure the MAXVALUE partition is the last one defined in your table partitioning.

1

Review your `CREATE TABLE` statement for partitioning. Identify the partition that uses `MAXVALUE` as its upper bound.

2

Verify that this `MAXVALUE` partition is indeed the last one listed in the `PARTITION BY ...` clause.

3

If it's not the last partition, reorder the partition definitions so that the `MAXVALUE` partition is at the end. You will need to drop and recreate the table.

ALTER TABLE your_table_name DROP PARTITION partition_name;
-- Repeat for all partitions if necessary, ensuring MAXVALUE is last in the new definition.
CREATE TABLE your_table_name (
    -- column definitions
) PARTITION BY RANGE (column_name) (
    PARTITION p0 VALUES LESS THAN (100),
    PARTITION p1 VALUES LESS THAN (200),
    PARTITION p_max VALUES LESS THAN MAXVALUE
);

2. Define Explicit Upper Bound for the Last Partition medium

Replace MAXVALUE with a sufficiently large, explicit upper bound for the last partition.

1

Determine the maximum possible value for the partitioning column. This could be based on data types or business logic.

2

Modify your `CREATE TABLE` statement to use this explicit maximum value instead of `MAXVALUE` for the last partition.

CREATE TABLE your_table_name (
    -- column definitions
) PARTITION BY RANGE (column_name) (
    PARTITION p0 VALUES LESS THAN (100),
    PARTITION p1 VALUES LESS THAN (200),
    PARTITION p_last VALUES LESS THAN (999999999999999999) -- Example of a large explicit value
);

3

If the table already exists, you'll need to drop and recreate it with the corrected partition definition.

3. Recreate Table with Corrected Partitioning medium

Safely recreate the table with partitions, ensuring MAXVALUE is the final partition.

1

Create a temporary table with the same schema as your existing table, but with the corrected partition definition where `MAXVALUE` is the last partition.

CREATE TABLE your_table_name_new (
    -- column definitions
) PARTITION BY RANGE (column_name) (
    PARTITION p0 VALUES LESS THAN (100),
    PARTITION p1 VALUES LESS THAN (200),
    PARTITION p_max VALUES LESS THAN MAXVALUE
);

2

Copy all data from the original table to the new table.

INSERT INTO your_table_name_new SELECT * FROM your_table_name;

3

Drop the original table.

DROP TABLE your_table_name;

4

Rename the new table to the original table's name.

RENAME TABLE your_table_name_new TO your_table_name;

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MySQL Error 1481: MAXVALUE Partition Placement