Coding⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: Unknown column in 'field list' error on MySQL Update query

MySQL update query error due to unknown column in 'field list'. Use backticks to enclose table and column names.

Quick Answer: Use backticks to enclose the column name `fellow` in your UPDATE query, like this: `UPDATE MASTER_USER_PROFILE, TRAN_USER_BRANCH SET `MASTER_USER_PROFILE`.fellow = '`y`` WHERE MASTER_USER_PROFILE.USER_ID = TRAN_USER_BRANCH.USER_ID AND TRAN_USER_BRANCH.BRANCH_ID = 17.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The 'Unknown column in 'field list' error on MySQL Update query' occurs when the database engine cannot find a specific column in the update statement. In this case, the issue arises from the fact that you are using an outdated syntax for joining tables.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • Using the 'AND' operator to join tables, which is deprecated in MySQL 5.7 and later versions.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Method 1: Using INNER JOIN with ON Clause

  1. Step 1: Replace the 'AND' operator with an INNER JOIN using the ON clause.

Method 2: Using EXISTS or IN Clause

  1. Step 1: Replace the 'AND' operator with an EXISTS or IN clause to filter the rows.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve this issue, update your query to use INNER JOIN with ON clause or EXISTS/IN clause. For example:

UPDATE MASTER_USER_PROFILE, TRAN_USER_BRANCH AS T2
SET MASTER_USER_PROFILE.fellow = 'y'
WHERE MASTER_USER_PROFILE.USER_ID IN (SELECT USER_ID FROM TRAN_USER_BRANCH WHERE BRANCH_ID = 17)

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