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Description

This error indicates that a MySQL table configured with a partitioned storage engine has an incomplete or invalid partition definition. It typically occurs when creating or altering a partitioned table, or inserting data, and not all required partitions are explicitly defined to cover all possible data values.

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Error Message

For the partitioned engine it is necessary to define all %s

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Incomplete Partition Scheme

The `CREATE TABLE` or `ALTER TABLE` statement for a partitioned table does not define partitions that cover all possible values or ranges for the partitioning key.

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Missing Default or MAXVALUE Partition

For `LIST` or `RANGE` partitioning, a catch-all partition (e.g., `DEFAULT` for LIST, or `MAXVALUE` for RANGE) is not included, leaving gaps for unhandled data.

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Data Not Fitting Defined Partitions

An `INSERT` operation attempts to add data whose partitioning key value falls outside all currently defined partitions for the table.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Correct Partition Definition Syntax easy

Ensure all partitions are explicitly defined in the `CREATE TABLE` or `ALTER TABLE` statement.

1

Review your `CREATE TABLE` or `ALTER TABLE` statement for the partitioned table. The error message `Missing Partition Definitions` indicates that the syntax used to define partitions is incomplete or incorrect. This often happens when using `PARTITION BY` without specifying the actual partitions.

2

For example, if you intend to partition by a range of values, you must explicitly define each range. If you are partitioning by list, you must define the values for each partition.

CREATE TABLE employees (
    id INT NOT NULL,
    name VARCHAR(50),
    hire_date DATE
) PARTITION BY RANGE (YEAR(hire_date))
(
    PARTITION p2020 VALUES LESS THAN (2021),
    PARTITION p2021 VALUES LESS THAN (2022),
    PARTITION p2022 VALUES LESS THAN (2023),
    PARTITION p2023 VALUES LESS THAN MAXVALUE
);

3

If you are altering an existing table to add partitions, the syntax is similar. Make sure to include all partition definitions.

ALTER TABLE employees PARTITION BY RANGE (YEAR(hire_date))
(
    PARTITION p2020 VALUES LESS THAN (2021),
    PARTITION p2021 VALUES LESS THAN (2022),
    PARTITION p2022 VALUES LESS THAN (2023),
    PARTITION p2023 VALUES LESS THAN MAXVALUE
);

2. Add Missing Partitions to Existing Table medium

Use `ALTER TABLE` to add the explicitly defined partitions that were omitted.

1

Identify which partition definitions are missing from your table. You can inspect the current partition definitions using `SHOW CREATE TABLE`.

SHOW CREATE TABLE your_table_name;

2

Based on the output of `SHOW CREATE TABLE` and your intended partitioning strategy, construct an `ALTER TABLE` statement to add the missing partitions. Ensure each `PARTITION` clause correctly defines the partition name and its bounds.

ALTER TABLE your_table_name
ADD PARTITION (
    PARTITION partition_name_1 VALUES LESS THAN (value_1),
    PARTITION partition_name_2 VALUES LESS THAN (value_2)
    -- Add all missing partitions here
);

3

Execute the `ALTER TABLE` statement. MySQL will attempt to add the specified partitions to the table. If there are still missing definitions or syntax errors, you may encounter the same error again.

3. Recreate Table with Complete Partition Definitions advanced

For complex or incorrectly partitioned tables, recreating the table with correct definitions is a robust solution.

1

Create a temporary table with the same schema as your original table, but with the correct and complete partition definitions. This is often the cleanest way to resolve fundamental partitioning errors.

CREATE TABLE temp_your_table_name LIKE your_table_name;

2

Add the correct partition definitions to the temporary table. You will need to carefully define all partitions based on your desired strategy.

ALTER TABLE temp_your_table_name PARTITION BY RANGE (column_name)
(
    PARTITION p1 VALUES LESS THAN (value1),
    PARTITION p2 VALUES LESS THAN (value2),
    -- ... define all partitions ...
    PARTITION pN VALUES LESS THAN MAXVALUE
);

3

Copy all data from the original table to the temporary table. This might take a significant amount of time for large tables.

INSERT INTO temp_your_table_name SELECT * FROM your_table_name;

4

Drop the original table.

DROP TABLE your_table_name;

5

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

RENAME TABLE temp_your_table_name TO your_table_name;

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MySQL Error 1498: Missing Partition Definitions