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Description

This error occurs when you attempt to remove the final remaining partition from a partitioned table using an `ALTER TABLE ... DROP PARTITION` statement. MySQL requires that a partitioned table always retains at least one partition, or be dropped entirely using `DROP TABLE`.

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Error Message

Cannot remove all partitions, use DROP TABLE instead

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Attempting to Delete the Final Partition

You are trying to remove the only remaining partition from a table that was previously partitioned, which MySQL does not allow via `ALTER TABLE ... DROP PARTITION`.

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Misunderstanding Partition Management Commands

The command used, `ALTER TABLE ... DROP PARTITION`, is not intended for de-partitioning a table completely or dropping the entire table.

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Intention to Drop Entire Table

You intended to remove the entire table and its data, but mistakenly used a partition-specific command instead of `DROP TABLE`.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Drop the Table Instead of the Last Partition easy

If you intend to remove all data and the table structure, drop the entire table.

1

Identify the table that contains the last partition you are trying to drop.

2

Instead of trying to drop the partition, execute a `DROP TABLE` statement on the table itself.

DROP TABLE your_table_name;

2. Recreate the Table with Fewer Partitions medium

If you need to retain the table but remove a specific partition, recreate the table with a modified partitioning scheme, excluding the unwanted partition.

1

Create a new table with the desired partitioning scheme, omitting the partition you want to remove. Ensure the new table has the same columns and data types as the original.

CREATE TABLE new_table_name LIKE your_table_name;
ALTER TABLE new_table_name REMOVE PARTITIONING;
-- Then re-add partitions as needed, excluding the one you want to remove.

2

Copy the data from the original table to the new table, excluding data from the partition being removed.

INSERT INTO new_table_name SELECT * FROM your_table_name WHERE partition_column_value < 'specific_value'; -- Adjust condition based on your partitioning

3

Rename the original table to a backup name.

RENAME TABLE your_table_name TO your_table_name_backup;

4

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

RENAME TABLE new_table_name TO your_table_name;

5

Optionally, drop the backup table after verifying the data.

DROP TABLE your_table_name_backup;

3. Temporarily Remove Partitioning to Drop the Last Partition advanced

For scenarios where you must remove the last partition and can temporarily forgo partitioning, remove partitioning, then drop the table.

1

Remove the partitioning from the table. This will convert the partitioned table into a single, unpartitioned table.

ALTER TABLE your_table_name REMOVE PARTITIONING;

2

Now that the table is no longer partitioned, you can drop it entirely.

DROP TABLE your_table_name;

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MySQL Error 1508: Cannot Drop Last Partition