MySQL Error #1052 Column in from clause is ambiguous

Question

Having some issues with a query to my MySQL DB:

"SELECT event_id, area_name FROM tie_in.events LEFT JOIN tie_in.area USING (area_id)"

When I run this query against my DB it returns the error #1052 - Column 'area_id' in from clause is ambiguous .

I have other LEFT JOIN s in this query I just removed them for readability and they fetch fine. Any help to resolve this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys!

Answer 1

If multiple tables have columns with the same name then you have to tell the DB which one to take by adding the table name in front of it

SELECT e.event_id, 
       a.area_name 
FROM tie_in.events e
LEFT JOIN tie_in.area a ON a.area_id = e.area_id 

Answer 2

The error basically means that a column with the name area_id can be found in other tables in your query.

You can alias the column name with a prefix:

"SELECT event_id, area_name FROM tie_in.events LEFT JOIN tie_in.area USING (table.area_id)"

Replace table with the table name or alias.