DOCUMENT:Q103031 22-JAN-2002 [foxpro] TITLE :PRB: "SQL Expression Too Complex" with Long IN Clause PRODUCT :Microsoft FoxPro PROD/VER::2.0,2.5,2.5a,3.0,3.0b,5.0,5.0a,6.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a - Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5, 2.5a - Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 3.0, 3.0b, 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== The "SQL expression too complex" error message appears if you have used 25 or more values in the IN clause of the SQL SELECT command. CAUSE ===== The maximum number of values you may include in the IN clause is 24. RESOLUTION ========== See the "More Information" section for an example of the problem and a workaround. MORE INFORMATION ================ Steps to Reproduce Problem -------------------------- FoxPro 2.0, 2.5, or 2.6 1. Use the Customer.dbf table in the Tutorial directory. 2. Issue the following SQL SELECT command: Select * from customer where cno in; ('1','2','3','4','5','6','7','8','9','10','11','12','13','14','15',; '16','17','18','19','20','21','22','23','24','25') The "SQL expression too complex" error message appears. Visual FoxPro 3.0, 5.0, 6.0 1. Use the Customer.dbf table. In Visual FoxPro 3.0 and 5.0, Customer.dbf is located in the Samples\Data folder. In Visual FoxPro 6.0 and later, use this command: USE HOME(2)+"data\customer.dbf" 2. Issue the following SQL SELECT command: Select * from customer where cust_id in; ('ALFKI','ANATR','ANTON','AROUT','BERGS','BLAUS','BLONP','BOLID','BONAP','BOTTM',; 'BSBEV','CACTU','CENTC','CHOPS','COMMI','CONSH','DRACD','DUMON','EASTC','ERNSH',; 'FAMIA','FISSA','FOLIG','FOLKO','FRANK') The "SQL expression too complex" error message appears. Workaround ---------- 1. In FoxPro 2.x, create a temporary table with one field in it called CNO. In Visual FoxPro, name the field Cust_id. The Temp table should contain the values in the CNO or Cust_id field that you want to find in the Customer table. 2. Issue one of the following SQL SELECT commands depending on your version of FoxPro: ** For FoxPro 2.x use this line Select * from customer where cno in (select cno from temp) ** For Visual FoxPro, use this line Select * from customer where cust_id in (select cust_id from temp) Additional query words: FoxDos FoxWin ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbFoxproSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbFoxPro200DOS kbFoxPro250DOS kbFoxPro250aDOS kbFoxPro250 kbFoxPro250a kbVFP300 kbVFP300b kbVFP500 kbVFP600 kbVFP500a Version : :2.0,2.5,2.5a,3.0,3.0b,5.0,5.0a,6.0 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.