Coding⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: SQL Update with row_number()

Direct conversational advice for SQL Update with row_number().

Quick Answer: Use a subquery to avoid parentheses issues.

The issue in your SQL query is due to the way you are using parentheses. The subquery inside the update statement should be wrapped in a SELECT statement, not just a regular UPDATE statement.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The parentheses in your query are causing a syntax error, preventing the subquery from being executed.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Method 1: Subquery with SELECT statement

  1. Step 1: Replace the UPDATE statement with a SELECT statement, wrapping the subquery in parentheses.

Method 2: Using a Common Table Expression (CTE)

  1. Step 1: Create a CTE to wrap the subquery, and then use it in the UPDATE statement.

✨ Wrapping Up

By applying these methods, you should be able to update your CODE_DEST column with an incremental number using the ROW_NUMBER() function.

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