A SQL compilation error on an extract almost always comes down to your data structures not lining up, or a small naming or syntax issue. The most common cause today is a mismatch between the source and target columns. Less commonly the destination table configuration or a column name contains a character that breaks the compile. The exact wording (“unexpected ‘X’”) varies from case to case, but the underlying causes are few, and all three are covered below.
A column mismatch between source and target
This is now the most frequent cause. If the fields selected at the source don’t line up with the columns in the target table, the extract can fail to compile:
SQL compilation error:
syntax error line 3 at position 4 unexpected 'column'This is caused by a mismatch between the source and target columns.
Fix: align the fields between the source and the target so they match, then re-run. If you need to compare the two structures, you can query your warehouse tables from the SQL Console in the Kleene app.
An invalid destination table name
This was a common issue historically and is rarer now, but it’s still worth checking. A destination table name cannot contain spaces and cannot begin with a number — if it does, the extract fails to compile. Two different-looking errors both trace back to this:
SQL compilation error:
syntax error line 1 ... unexpected '('Often means the destination table name was entered incorrectly — typically because it contains a space.
SQL compilation error:
syntax error line 1 at position 33 unexpected '.8'Means the destination table name begins with a number (for example, a name like 8x8_raw).
Fix: Set the destination table so it contains no spaces and doesn’t start with a number, then re-run.
A special character in a column name
Special characters in a column name e.g. a slash or a comma, can also break the compile:
SQL compilation error:
syntax error line 12 at position 5 unexpected '/'
syntax error line 12 at position 32 unexpected ','This is typically caused by a column named something like State/Province.
How to check: review the column names coming from your source and in your destination configuration, and remove any characters like slashes or commas. Column names are safest when they use only letters, numbers, and underscores.
Fix: rename or clean the offending column, then re-run.
In short
Almost all of these errors come down to structures not matching, or a small naming issue. Check three things: that your data structures match between the source and the destination (the most common cause), that your column names are hygienic (letters, numbers, and underscores, with no special characters), and that the destination table configuration is entered correctly (no spaces, and not starting with a number). These three checks resolve the large majority of extract compilation errors.
If this hasn’t resolved your issue, raise a ticket with Kleene Support for further assistance.