Posted on : May 15, 2025 By Tech World Times Security Testing  Rate this post SSMS SQL (SQL Server Management Studio) is a tool used to manage SQL Server databases. It helps users create, update, and manage database objects easily. However, even experienced users face some common errors while using SSMS SQL. In this guide, we will cover five common mistakes and explain how to fix them. Let’s look at each error in detail. 1. Incorrect Syntax Near the Keyword What It Means This error appears when there is a mistake in your SQL query. It usually shows as:“Incorrect syntax near the keyword.” Why It Happens A missing comma or bracket Wrong use of SQL keywords Using reserved words as column or table names Example sqlCopyEditSELECT name age FROM students Here, a comma is missing between name and age. How to Fix It Check your query line by line. Use commas to separate columns. Avoid using reserved SQL keywords. Use square brackets if you must use a reserved word.Corrected Query: sqlCopyEditSELECT name, age FROM students 2. Invalid Column Name What It Means SSMS SQL shows this error when the column name you entered doesn’t exist. It may look like:“Invalid column name ‘username’.” Why It Happens Typing errors in column names Column does not exist in the table Querying the wrong table Example sqlCopyEditSELECT username FROM users If the table has a column named user_name, not username, you get this error. How to Fix It Check the actual column names in the table. Use the Object Explorer in SSMS SQL to confirm the structure. You can also use this command to view columns: sqlCopyEditsp_help users Corrected Query: sqlCopyEditSELECT user_name FROM users 3. Cannot Insert NULL into Column What It Means You tried to insert a NULL value into a column that does not allow it. The error looks like:“Cannot insert the value NULL into column…” Why It Happens You left a NOT NULL column blank during INSERT Missing values in your form or code Example sqlCopyEditINSERT INTO employees (id, name) VALUES (1, NULL) If the name column is NOT NULL, this causes an error. How to Fix It Always check the table design. Make sure all NOT NULL columns get valid data. You can also add a default value or allow NULLs if needed. Corrected Query: sqlCopyEditINSERT INTO employees (id, name) VALUES (1, 'John') 4. Conversion Failed Error What It Means SSMS SQL gives this error when it cannot convert one data type to another. It may show as:“Conversion failed when converting the varchar value to data type int.” Why It Happens Trying to insert text into a number column Wrong format for dates or numbers Comparing incompatible data types Example sqlCopyEditSELECT * FROM orders WHERE order_id = 'ABC' If order_id is an integer column, this causes a conversion error. How to Fix It Always match data types properly. Use CAST() or CONVERT() when needed. Clean your input data before inserting or comparing. Corrected Query: sqlCopyEditSELECT * FROM orders WHERE order_id = 123 Or use conversion: sqlCopyEditSELECT * FROM orders WHERE order_id = CONVERT(int, '123') 5. Login Failed for User What It Means You can’t connect to the database because of login problems. The error says:“Login failed for user ‘username’.” Why It Happens Wrong username or password SQL Server login not enabled Authentication mode issues How to Fix It First, check your login details. Open SSMS SQL and use the right credentials. Ensure the SQL Server is set to Mixed Authentication Mode. To check this: Right-click the server name in SSMS SQL. Choose Properties > Security. Select SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode. Restart the server to apply changes. You can also create a new login with: sqlCopyEditCREATE LOGIN testuser WITH PASSWORD = 'Password123' Then give it access to a database. Bonus Tips to Avoid Errors in SSMS SQL Always test your query using the Query Designer. Use the IntelliSense feature for suggestions. Keep your database backed up before making changes. Use transactions to prevent partial updates. Break complex queries into smaller parts for easier testing. Conclusion Working with SSMS SQL can be smooth if you avoid common mistakes. Errors like wrong syntax, missing columns, or login failures are easy to fix. Just read error messages carefully and follow the tips above. Always check your table design and data types. Doing this saves time and prevents data issues. SSMS SQL is a powerful tool. Once you learn how to fix these common problems, you will become more confident. Keep practicing and refer to this guide whenever you face an error. Tech World TimesTech World Times (TWT), a global collective focusing on the latest tech news and trends in blockchain, Fintech, Development & Testing, AI and Startups. If you are looking for the guest post then contact at techworldtimes@gmail.com