MySQL Reserved Words: What You Need To Know 

Few things are more frustrating than a SQL query that looks perfect but refuses to run. You double-check the syntax, scan for typos—everything seems fine. Yet MySQL keeps throwing an error. The culprit? A reserved word buried in your schema. 

Reserved words like ORDER, WITH, and GROUPS aren’t just ordinary terms—they’re fundamental to MySQL’s syntax. If you mistakenly use one as a table or column name without proper handling, your queries may break unexpectedly. Worse, MySQL’s error messages won’t always make the issue obvious, leaving you stuck debugging for hours. That’s why tools like  dbForge Studio for MySQL are so useful—they highlight these conflicts before they become costly mistakes. 

This guide will explore MySQL reserved words, their impact on database design, and why they cause conflicts. You’ll also learn how to avoid common errors and prevent them from disrupting your database. Read on! 

Table of contents

• What are MySQL Reserved Words?
• How to Identify Reserved Words in MySQL? 
• Reserved Words Across MySQL Versions 
• How to Check If Your Schema is About to Break 
• Reserved Words vs. Keywords in MySQL
• Tools and Resources to Handle Reserved Words 
• FAQs 

What are MySQL Reserved Words? 

MySQL reserved words are predefined SQL terms that the database engine interprets as commands rather than identifiers. These include critical terms like SELECT, JOIN, and DELETE—commands that define how MySQL processes data, rather than being usable as table or column names. 

Reserved words exist to enforce MySQL’s syntax rules and prevent ambiguity in queries. For example, if you attempt to create a table named SELECT: 

CREATE TABLE SELECT (id INT, name VARCHAR(50)); 

MySQL won’t know whether you’re defining a table or executing a query, leading to a syntax error. 

Limitations on using Reserved Words 

MySQL does not allow reserved words to be used as table or column names, they must be enclosed in backticks (“) to avoid syntax errors. However, relying on backticks is generally not a best practice as it introduces maintainability issues, making queries harder to read and increasing the risk of future conflicts with MySQL updates. 

Correct usage 

When using a reserved word, enclose it in backticks to prevent syntax errors: 

CREATE TABLE `ORDER` (id INT, status VARCHAR(50)); 

Incorrect гіфпу 

Without backticks, MySQL treats ORDER as a reserved keyword, causing a syntax error: 

CREATE TABLE ORDER (id INT, status VARCHAR(50)); -- ERROR! 

MySQL reserved words as column names will cause errors unless enclosed in backticks (“). Without backticks, MySQL assumes ORDER is part of a command, causing an error. 

Best practices to avoid Reserved Word conflicts 

• Use clear, descriptive names instead of reserved words. Instead of ORDER, use orders. 
• Follow naming conventions to improve database maintainability and readability. 
• Check MySQL’s official reserved words list before naming tables and columns. 

 How to identify Reserved Words in MySQL? 

Before naming a table or column, check if the word is reserved to avoid syntax errors. This will help avoid using reserved words in MySQL without escaping them.  

1. Check MySQL’s official Reserved Words list 

The MySQL reserved words list isn’t set in stone—it changes with each new version. A word that worked in an older version might now be restricted. For example, WINDOW and WITH became MySQL 8.0 reserved words, and if these were used as table or column names without backticks in older schemas, queries could break after upgrading. Always refer to MySQL’s official reserved words list for the latest updates. 

2. Run a quick query to check a word 

Not sure if a word is reserved? Instead of guessing, run this query. 

SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEYWORDS WHERE WORD = 'your_word'; 

• If you get a result, the word is reserved—rename it or use backticks. 
• If no result appears, it’s safe to use. 

3. Check forums for version-specific workarounds 

Always verify that the solution applies to your MySQL version when using old documentation or forum posts. Some workarounds may rely on outdated syntax or assume different reserved word behavior, so double-check compatibility before implementing them. 

4. Check for conflicts before upgrading MySQL 

Before upgrading MySQL, run this query to check for reserved word conflicts in table or column names. 

SELECT COLUMN_NAME  
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS  
WHERE COLUMN_NAME IN (SELECT WORD FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEYWORDS); 

This will help you detect any column names that conflict with reserved MySQL words, allowing you to make necessary changes before the upgrade, preventing unexpected query failures. 

Reserved Words across MySQL versions 

The table below highlights key MySQL 5.7 reserved words and their status in MySQL 8.0 and 9.2 helping you identify potential compatibility issues before upgrading. 

Word	MySQL 5.7	MySQL 8.0	MySQL 9.2
WINDOW	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.2)	Reserved
WITH	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.1)	Reserved
GROUPS	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.2)	Reserved
RANK	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.2)	Reserved
LEAD	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.2)	Reserved
LAG	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.2)	Reserved
CUBE	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.1)	Reserved
ROLLUP	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
EXCLUDE	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.2)	Reserved
SYSTEM	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.3)	Reserved
PARTITION	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
OVER	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.2)	Reserved
RECURSIVE	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.1)	Reserved
JSON_TABLE	Not Reserved	Reserved (added in 8.0.4)	Reserved
MATCH	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
CHECK	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
TRIGGER	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
INDEX	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
KEY	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
VALUE	Not Reserved	Not Reserved	Not Reserved
LIBRARY	Not Reserved	Not Reserved	Reserved

How the Reserved Words connect across SQL functionalities 

MySQL reserved words serve different purposes in SQL execution. The diagram below illustrates how different categories—query commands, control flow, joins, and transactions—connect within MySQL. 

Common MySQL Reserved Words: significance and common mistakes 

Here are some reserved words in MySQL and how they can cause issues if mishandled. 

Reserved Word	Significance	Common mistake & fix
SELECT	Retrieves data from tables	Trying to name a table SELECT without escaping it.  Fix: CREATE TABLE `SELECT` (…);
INSERT	Adds new records to a table	Forgetting to specify column names before VALUES, leading to errors when table structures change. While not a reserved word issue, it’s still a common mistake.  Fix: INSERT INTO users (name, age) VALUES (‘John’, 30);
UPDATE	Modifies existing records	Using UPDATE without WHERE—this updates all rows!  Fix: Always include WHERE to target specific rows.
DELETE	Removes records from a table	Same as UPDATE—forgetting WHERE wipes the entire table.  Fix: Use DELETE FROM users WHERE id = 5;
WHERE	Filters query results	Misusing WHERE with aggregate functions like COUNT().  Fix: Use HAVING instead.
JOIN	Combines rows from multiple tables	Not specifying the join type leads to unexpected results.  Fix: Explicitly use INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, etc.
ORDER BY	Sorts query results	Using ORDER BY without specifying ASC or DESC may lead to default sorting behavior you didn’t expect.

Changes to Reserved Words in MySQL 8.x and beyond 

Planning to upgrade MySQL? MySQL 8.x introduced new reserved words. Here’s what you will find. 

New Reserved Word	What it does	How it can break your queries
WINDOW	Used for advanced analytics with window functions.	If you have a window column, MySQL will refuse to query it unless you escape it with backticks.
WITH	Enables Common Table Expressions (CTEs).	If you named a table WITH, congratulations, it’s now an unusable reserved word.
CUBE	Enhances aggregate queries with grouping features.	If you stored sales data in a cube table, your reports just broke.
LATERAL	Used in lateral joins for complex queries.	LATERAL was safe before, but now it requires the MySQL reserved words escape method or renaming.

Before upgrading MySQL, review the latest version-specific documentation. New reserved words can break existing queries, so staying informed helps prevent unexpected errors. 

How to check if your schema is about to break 

Before upgrading MySQL, run this query to find potential conflicts in your database: 

SELECT COLUMN_NAME, TABLE_NAME   
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS   
WHERE COLUMN_NAME IN (SELECT WORD FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEYWORDS); 

If this query returns any results, those column names are now reserved words. You must rename them or use the MySQL escape reserved words method with backticks (“). 

Reserved Words vs. Keywords in MySQL 

Not all MySQL keywords behave the same way. Some are strictly reserved and will cause errors if used as table or column names without backticks. Others are non-reserved and can be used as identifiers—but only in specific contexts. Understanding the difference can help you avoid frustrating syntax errors. 

What’s the difference? 

Type	Description	Example	Escaping Needed?
Reserved Words	These are hardcoded into MySQL’s syntax and cannot be used as table or column names unless escaped.	GROUP, ORDER, SELECT, INSERT	Yes (must use backticks: `GROUP`)
Non-Reserved Keywords	These can sometimes be used as identifiers, depending on how they are used in a query.	INDEX, KEY, VALUE	No (but may cause confusion in certain cases)

When to escape: ambiguous cases explained 

Some MySQL keywords fall into a gray area where escaping depends on their usage in a query. While non-reserved keywords are generally safe to use as identifiers, certain contexts can still create conflicts. Here are a few examples. 

Using Reserved Words as table and column names in MySQL 

Incorrect usage 

The following query fails because COLUMN is a reserved word in MySQL, which conflicts with the CREATE TABLE syntax: 

CREATE TABLE COLUMN (id INT, name VARCHAR(50)); 

Error: MySQL interprets “COLUMN” as part of the CREATE TABLE statement, resulting in a syntax error. 

Correct usage 

To use a reserved word as a table name, enclose it in backticks (“): 

CREATE TABLE `COLUMN` (id INT, name VARCHAR(50)); 

Using INDEX as a Column Name 

Incorrect usage 

Similarly, INDEX is a reserved word in MySQL. Using it as a column name without escaping causes an error: 

CREATE TABLE books (INDEX INT, title VARCHAR(100)); 

Correct usage 

To avoid conflicts, enclose INDEX in backticks (“): 

CREATE TABLE books (`INDEX` INT, title VARCHAR(100)); 

Using Reserved Words as column names in MySQL 

INDEX as a column name 

Since INDEX is not a reserved word in MySQL, it can be used as a column name without escaping: 

CREATE TABLE books (INDEX INT, title VARCHAR(100)); 

KEY as a column name in a table with a primary key 

Incorrect usage 

In the example below, KEY is used as a column name in a table that also defines a PRIMARY KEY. However, MySQL misinterprets KEY as part of the constraint, leading to a syntax error: 

CREATE TABLE users (id INT PRIMARY KEY, KEY VARCHAR(50)); 

Fix: Use backticks 

To avoid ambiguity, enclose KEY in backticks (): 

CREATE TABLE users (id INT PRIMARY KEY, `KEY` VARCHAR(50)); 

Key takeaways 

• Always check MySQL’s reserved word list before naming tables or columns. 
• If using a reserved word cannot be avoided, enclose it in backticks (“). 
• INDEX is non-reserved, so it can be used as a column name without backticks. 
  KEY is a reserved keyword in certain contexts (e.g., when defining primary or foreign keys). 

Best practices:  

• Use alternative names (e.g., book_index instead of INDEX) to improve readability and avoid escaping issues. 
• Avoid using MySQL keywords as column names to prevent hard-to-debug syntax errors. 

By understanding these ambiguous cases, you can write more reliable and maintainable MySQL queries. 

Tools and resources to handle Reserved Words 

Managing MySQL reserved words effectively requires the right tools. Whether you’re designing schemas, writing queries, or debugging errors, these resources can help you avoid conflicts and streamline development. 

Schema design and query editing tools 

Several database management tools highlight reserved words and provide built-in features to prevent syntax conflicts: 

• dbForge studio for MySQL – Offers intelligent SQL syntax highlighting, keyword suggestions, and syntax checker to prevent reserved word conflicts. 

• MySQL workbench – A popular tool for database modeling, it warns against reserved word usage and suggests fixes. 
• phpMyAdmin – While primarily for database management, it also provides basic syntax checking. 
• DBeaver – A cross-platform database tool with SQL syntax validation and keyword detection. 

IDE plugins and features 

Modern IDEs help catch reserved words before they cause issues. These include: 

• JetBrains DataGrip – Highlights reserved words and offers auto-suggestions. 
• VS Code SQL Plugins – Extensions like SQLTools detect reserved words. 
• MySQL Shell – Helps test queries before execution. 

Staying informed: official and community resources 

Keep updated on MySQL reserved words through: 

• MySQL Official Docs – Provide the list of reserved words for each MySQL version. 
• Release Notes – Tracks changes in reserved words. 
• Developer Forums – Offers community-driven insights on version-specific conflicts. 
• GitHub Repositories – Comprise tools and lists for reserved word checks. 

The takeaway 

Reserved words may seem like a small issue—until they break your queries and cause frustrating errors. One overlooked keyword can disrupt your entire database, turning a simple task into hours of debugging. But avoiding these problems isn’t just about fixing errors—it’s about writing cleaner, more reliable SQL. Here’s how to stay ahead: 

• Regularly review MySQL documentation for updates. 
• Use tools like dbForge Studio for MySQL to validate SQL syntax and prevent errors before they happen.
• Always escape reserved words when necessary. 
• Stay informed on MySQL version changes to maintain database stability. 
• Deepen your SQL expertise by checking out the MySQL UNION tutorial.

Avoid frustrating MySQL errors before they happen! Use dbForge Studio for MySQL to detect reserved word conflicts, optimize queries, and streamline database management.

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