ORA-00911 Error Adding Record to Oracle Table (121550)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Query
This article was previously published under Q121550

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Query, when you use an Oracle data source to create a query, you receive the following error message when you add a record to the table if the Oracle table contains a field with an apostrophe (') character:
ORA-00911: invalid character
followed by:
Update failed. Continue editing record?
NOTE: You also receive the first error message above if you use the INSERT INTO (SQL) statement to add a record to the table when that record contains an apostrophe character.

CAUSE

This error message occurs because you cannot add a record to a table using an Oracle data source when a field in the table contains an apostrophe character. For example, if you add a record to a table that contains a field named "Test o' luck", the error message is displayed, and you cannot continue editing the record.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, do either of the following:

  • Rename the field that contains the apostrophe character using the application that you used to create the table. -or-

  • Remove the field that contains the apostrophe from the query. Note that when you use this method, you cannot add a value to the field that contains the apostrophe character.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to Add, Edit, or Delete Data (Cue Cards), choose the Search button in Help and type:

records, adding
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2005
Keywords:KB121550
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