How to Diagnose and Fix the ORA-01765 Error: Keyword TABLES Expected

by

If you are encountering the ORA-01765 error in Oracle, it means that the keyword TABLES is expected but not found in the SQL statement. This error typically occurs when there is a syntax issue in the SQL query, and it can be fixed by correcting the syntax or using the appropriate keywords.

Here are some common scenarios where the ORA-01765 error may occur, along with examples and sample code to help you diagnose and fix the issue:

1. Missing TABLES Keyword

If you are trying to use the TABLES keyword in a SQL statement but it is missing, you will encounter the ORA-01765 error. For example:

SELECT * FROM employees WHERE department_id = 10;

To fix this issue, you need to include the TABLES keyword in the SQL statement:

SELECT * FROM TABLES(employees) WHERE department_id = 10;

2. Incorrect Syntax

Another common cause of the ORA-01765 error is incorrect syntax in the SQL statement. For example:

SELECT * FROM employees WHERE department_id = 10 AND TABLES(salary) > 50000;

To fix this issue, you need to review the syntax of the SQL statement and ensure that the TABLES keyword is used correctly. In this case, the correct syntax would be:

SELECT * FROM employees WHERE department_id = 10 AND salary > 50000;

3. Using TABLES in DDL Statements

The TABLES keyword is not typically used in Data Definition Language (DDL) statements such as CREATE, ALTER, or DROP. If you are encountering the ORA-01765 error in a DDL statement, it may be due to incorrectly using the TABLES keyword. For example:

CREATE TABLES new_table (id NUMBER, name VARCHAR2(50));

To fix this issue, simply remove the TABLES keyword from the DDL statement:

CREATE TABLE new_table (id NUMBER, name VARCHAR2(50));

In conclusion, the ORA-01765 error in Oracle is typically caused by a syntax issue or incorrect usage of the TABLES keyword in SQL statements. By carefully reviewing your SQL queries and ensuring that the TABLES keyword is used correctly, you can diagnose and fix this error. Additionally, you can refer to the Oracle documentation or seek assistance from the Oracle community for more information on resolving this issue.

Leave a Comment