ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large error occurs when the numeric value exceeds the declared numeric data type size. The number of digits in the value exceeds the number of digits in the declared numeric data type. The numeric value exceeds the number precision specified in the numeric datatype. If you insert a large numeric value into a number variable with a smaller precision size, Oracle will throw the error ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large.
ORA-06502 error occurs when numeric values are used. The number of digits in the value must be less than or equal to the number of digits in the declared numeric data type. The value is stored in the declared variable in this case. The value cannot be stored by the variable if the number of digits in the value is greater. To store the larger value, the declared variable data type’s size should be increased. Otherwise, the error ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large will be thrown.
Exception
The error will be thrown if the number of digits in the value is greater than the declared numeric data type size. The database error will be displayed below the stack trace. The error ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large will be displayed with the line number.
Error report -
ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large
ORA-06512: at line 4
06502. 00000 - "PL/SQL: numeric or value error%s"
*Cause:
*Action:Cause
The number of digits in the value exceeds the declared numeric data type’s number of digits. A value greater than the size of the declared data type cannot be stored in the declared variable. The error ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large will be thrown if you try to assign a larger value. The value’s number of digits should be less than or equal to the declared number of digits.
Problem
The value could not be assigned to the variable if it had a number of digits greater than the declared numeric data type’s number of digits. The error ORA-06502: PL/SQL: Numeric or Value Error: Number Precision Too Large will be thrown by the oracle. In the example below, the number of digits in the value is greater than the declared numeric data type’s number of digits.
declare
empid numeric(4);
begin
empid := 10001;
end;Output
Error starting at line : 1 in command -
declare
empid numeric(4);
begin
empid := 10001;
end;
Error report -
ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large
ORA-06512: at line 4
06502. 00000 - "PL/SQL: numeric or value error%s"
*Cause: An arithmetic, numeric, string, conversion, or constraint error
occurred. For example, this error occurs if an attempt is made to
assign the value NULL to a variable declared NOT NULL, or if an
attempt is made to assign an integer larger than 99 to a variable
declared NUMBER(2).
*Action: Change the data, how it is manipulated, or how it is declared so
that values do not violate constraints.Solution 1
The value assigned to the variable cannot be stored in the variable if it is larger than the size of the data type declared. The declared datatype size should be increased to accommodate the large value. If the value exceeds the declared data type size’s maximum size, you should consider changing the data type that holds the larger value.
The declared numeric data type size in the example below is 4. It can hold values ranging from 0 to 9999. The assigned value exceeds the permitted value range. To accommodate the given value in the variable, the declared numeric data type size is increased to 5. The error ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large is resolved.
declare
empid numeric(5);
begin
empid := 10001;
end;Output
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.Solution 2
Analyze the value if the number of digits in the value is greater. The value should fall within the declared data type’s size range. If the database value is wrongly assigned to the declared variable. Analyze the variables and the value’s origin. The value will be assigned to the variable if you correct a value with fewer digits.
In the example below, the number of digits in the value is 5 which is greater than the declared data type size 4. The value (201) that has been assigned to it has been changed. The size of the value is less than 4 digits. The error ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large is resolved.
declare
empid numeric(4);
begin
empid := 201;
end;Output
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.Solution 3
The value cannot be assigned if the declared data type precision value is incorrectly declared. Because the size of the datatype declared differs from the value, Oracle will throw an error. In this case, the variable’s declared data type must be changed to match the value.
declare
empid numeric(4,2);
begin
empid := 1001;
end;Error
Error report -
ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large
ORA-06512: at line 4
06502. 00000 - "PL/SQL: numeric or value error%s"Solution
declare
empid numeric(6,2);
begin
empid := 1001;
end;Output
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.Solution 4
Handling the exception is another option for dealing with this error. If an error occurs, it is handled using exception handling and an alternative action is taken using PL/SQL code.
declare
empid numeric(4);
begin
empid := 10001;
exception
WHEN OTHERS THEN
empid :=0;
end;Output
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.Are you getting an ORA-06502 error message when working with Oracle SQL? Learn how to resolve it and what causes it in this article.
ORA-06502 Cause
The cause of the “ORA-06502 PL/SQL numeric or value error” can be one of many things:
- A value is being assigned to a numeric variable, but the value is larger than what the variable can handle.
- A non-numeric value is being assigned to a numeric variable.
- A value of NULL is being assigned to a variable which has a NOT NULL constraint.
Let’s take a look at the solutions for each of these causes.
The solution for this error will depend on the cause.
Let’s see an example of each of the three causes mentioned above.
Solution 1: Value Larger than Variable (Number Precision Too Large)
In this example, we have some code that is setting a numeric variable to a value which is larger than what can be stored.
Let’s create this procedure which declares and then sets a variable:
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestLargeNumber
AS
testNumber NUMBER(3);
BEGIN
testNumber := 4321;
END;If we compile it, it compiles with no errors.
Procedure TESTLARGENUMBER compiled
Now, let’s run the procedure.
EXEC TestLargeNumber;We get an error:
Error starting at line : 8 in command - EXEC TestLargeNumber Error report - ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large ORA-06512: at "SYSTEM.TESTLARGENUMBER", line 5 ORA-06512: at line 1 06502. 00000 - "PL/SQL: numeric or value error%s" *Cause: An arithmetic, numeric, string, conversion, or constraint error occurred. For example, this error occurs if an attempt is made to assign the value NULL to a variable declared NOT NULL, or if an attempt is made to assign an integer larger than 99 to a variable declared NUMBER(2). *Action: Change the data, how it is manipulated, or how it is declared so that values do not violate constraints.
The error we’ve gotten is “ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large”. It also includes an ORA-06512, but that error just mentions the next line the code is run from, as explained in this article on ORA-06512.
This is because our variable testNumber can only hold 3 digits, because it was declared as a NUMBER(3). But, the value we’re setting it to a few lines later is 4 digit long (4321).
So, the value is too large for the variable.
To resolve it, increase the size of your variable, or manipulate your value to fit the size of the variable (if possible).
In our example , we can change the size of the variable.
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestLargeNumber
AS
testNumber NUMBER(4);
BEGIN
testNumber := 4321;
END;Procedure TESTLARGENUMBER compiled
Now, let’s run the procedure.
EXEC TestLargeNumber;PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.
The procedure runs successfully. We don’t get any output (because we didn’t code any in), but there are no errors.
Read more on the Oracle data types here.
Solution 2: Non-Numeric Value
Another way to find and resolve this error is by ensuring you’re not setting a numeric variable to a non-numeric value.
For example, take a look at this function.
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestNonNumeric
AS
testNumber NUMBER(4);
BEGIN
testNumber := 'Yes';
END;Procedure TESTNONNUMERIC compiled
The procedure compiles successfully. Now, let’s fun the function.
EXEC TestNonNumeric;Error starting at line : 8 in command - EXEC TestNonNumeric Error report - ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: character to number conversion error ORA-06512: at "SYSTEM.TESTNONNUMERIC", line 5 ORA-06512: at line 1 06502. 00000 - "PL/SQL: numeric or value error%s" *Cause: An arithmetic, numeric, string, conversion, or constraint error occurred. For example, this error occurs if an attempt is made to assign the value NULL to a variable declared NOT NULL, or if an attempt is made to assign an integer larger than 99 to a variable declared NUMBER(2). *Action: Change the data, how it is manipulated, or how it is declared so that values do not violate constraints.
The error we get is “ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: character to number conversion error”.
This happens because our variable testNumber is set to a NUMBER, but a few lines later, we’re setting it to a string value which cannot be converted to a number
To resolve this error:
- Ensure the value coming in is a number and not a string.
- Convert your string to a number using TO_NUMBER (the conversion might happen implicitly but this may help).
- Convert your string to the ASCII code that represents the string using the ASCII function.
- Change the data type of your variable (but check that your code is getting the right value first).
The solution you use will depend on your requirements.
Solution 3: NOT NULL Variable
This error can appear if you try to set a NULL value to a NOT NULL variable.
Let’s take a look at this code here:
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestNonNull
AS
testNumber NUMBER(4) NOT NULL := 10;
nullValue NUMBER(4) := NULL;
BEGIN
testNumber := nullValue;
END;Procedure TESTNONNULL compiled
Now, the reason we’re using a variable to store NULL and not just setting testNumber to NULL is because we get a different error in that case. Besides, it’s probably more likely that your NULL value will come from another system or a database table, rather than a hard-coded NULL value.
Let’s run this function now.
Error starting at line : 9 in command - EXEC TestNonNull Error report - ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error ORA-06512: at "SYSTEM.TESTNONNULL", line 6 ORA-06512: at line 1 06502. 00000 - "PL/SQL: numeric or value error%s" *Cause: An arithmetic, numeric, string, conversion, or constraint error occurred. For example, this error occurs if an attempt is made to assign the value NULL to a variable declared NOT NULL, or if an attempt is made to assign an integer larger than 99 to a variable declared NUMBER(2). *Action: Change the data, how it is manipulated, or how it is declared so that values do not violate constraints.
We get the ORA-06502 error.
This error message doesn’t give us much more information. But, we can look at the code on line 6, as indicated by the message. We can see we have a variable that has a NOT NULL constraint, and the variable is NULL.
To be sure, we can output some text in our demo when it is null.
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestNonNull
AS
testNumber NUMBER(4) NOT NULL := 10;
nullValue NUMBER(4) := NULL;
BEGIN
IF (nullValue IS NULL) THEN
dbms_output.put_line('Value is null!');
ELSE
testNumber := nullValue;
END IF;
END;Now let’s call the procedure.
EXEC TestNonNull;Value is null!
The output shows the text message, indicating the value is null.
ORA-06502 character string buffer too small
This version of the error can occur if you set a character variable to a value larger than what it can hold.
When you declare character variables (CHAR, VARCHAR2, for example), you need to specify the maximum size of the value. If a value is assigned to this variable which is larger than that size, then this error will occur.
For example:
DECLARE
charValue VARCHAR2(5);
BEGIN
charValue := 'ABCDEF';
END;If I compile this code, I get an error:
ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: character string buffer too small ORA-06512: at line 4
This happens because the variable is 5 characters long, and I’m setting it to a value which is 6 characters long.
You could also get this error when using CHAR data types.
DECLARE
charValue CHAR(5);
BEGIN
charValue := 'A';
charValue := charValue || 'B';
END;ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: character string buffer too small ORA-06512: at line 5
This error happens because the CHAR data type uses the maximum number of characters. It has stored the value of A and added 4 space characters, up until its maximum value of 5.
When you try to concatenate a value of B to it, the resulting value is ‘A B’, which is 6 characters.
To resolve this, use a VARCHAR2 variable instead of a CHAR, and ensure the maximum size is enough for you.
ORA-06502: pl/sql: numeric or value error: null index table key value
Sometimes you might get this error message with the ORA-06502 error:
ORA-06502: pl/sql: numeric or value error: null index table key value
This means that either:
- Your index variable is not getting initialized, or
- Your index variable is getting set to NULL somewhere in the code.
Check your code to see that neither of these two situations are happening.
ORA-06502: pl/sql: numeric or value error: bulk bind: truncated bind
You might also get this specific error message:
ORA-06502: pl/sql: numeric or value error: bulk bind: truncated bind
This is caused by an attempt to SELECT, UPDATE, or INSERT data into a table using a PL/SQL type where a column does not have the same scale as the column in the table.
For example, you may have declared a variable in PL/SQL to be VARCHAR2(100), but your table is only a VARCHAR2(50) field. You may get this error then.
You may also get this error because some data types in PL/SQL have different lengths in SQL.
To resolve this, declare your variables as the same type as the SQL table:
type t_yourcol is table of yourtable.yourcol%TYPE;So, that’s how you resolve the ORA-06502 error.
Lastly, if you enjoy the information and career advice I’ve been providing, sign up to my newsletter below to stay up-to-date on my articles. You’ll also receive a fantastic bonus. Thanks!
Learn the cause and how to resolve the ORA-06502 error message in Oracle.
Description
When you encounter an ORA-06502 error, the following error message will appear:
- ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error
Cause
You tried to execute a statement that resulted in an arithmetic, numeric, string, conversion, or constraint error.
The common reasons for this error are:
- You tried to assign a value to a numeric variable, but the value is larger than the variable can handle.
- You tried to assign a non-numeric value to a numeric variable and caused a conversion error.
Resolution
Let’s look at three options on how to resolve the ORA-06502 error:
Option #1 — Value too large
In our first option, this error occurs when you try to assign a value to a numeric variable, but the value is larger than the variable can handle.
For example, if you created a procedure called TestProc as follows:
SQL> CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestProc 2 AS 3 v_number number(2); 4 BEGIN 5 v_number := 100; 6 END; 7 / Procedure created.
This procedure was successfully created. But when we try to execute this procedure, we will get an ORA-06502 error as follows:
SQL> execute TestProc(); BEGIN TestProc(); END; * ERROR at line 1: ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: number precision too large ORA-06512: at "EXAMPLE.TESTPROC", line 5 ORA-06512: at line 1
The first line of the error message (ie: ORA-06502) indicates the error that occurred, while the second line of the error message (ie: ORA-06512) indicates that the error occurred at line 5 of the PLSQL code.
In this example, you’ve tried to assign a 3 digit number to a variable called v_number that can only handle 2 digits. You could correct this error by redefining the v_number variable as number(3).
SQL> CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestProc 2 AS 3 v_number number(3); 4 BEGIN 5 v_number := 100; 6 END; 7 / Procedure created.
And now when we execute our TestProc procedure, the ORA-06502 error has been resolved.
SQL> execute TestProc(); PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.
Option #2 — Conversion error
In our second option, this error occurs if you are trying to assign a non-numeric value to a numeric variable.
For example, if you created a procedure called TestProc as follows:
SQL> CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestProc 2 AS 3 v_number number(2); 4 BEGIN 5 v_number := 'a'; 6 END; 7 / Procedure created.
This procedure was successfully created. But when we try to execute this procedure, we will get an ORA-06502 error as follows:
SQL> execute TestProc(); BEGIN TestProc(); END; * ERROR at line 1: ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: character to number conversion error ORA-06512: at "EXAMPLE.TESTPROC", line 5 ORA-06512: at line 1
In this example, the value of ‘a’ does not properly convert to a numeric value. You can correct this error by assigning the variable called v_number a proper numeric value.
SQL> CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestProc
2 AS
3 v_number number(2);
4 BEGIN
5 v_number := ASCII('a');
6 END;
7 /
Procedure created.
And now when we execute our TestProc procedure, the ORA-06502 error has been resolved.
SQL> execute TestProc(); PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.
Option #3 — Assigning NULL to a NOT NULL constrained variable
In our third option, this error occurs if you are trying to assign a NULL value to a NOT NULL constrained variable.
For example, if you created a procedure called TestProc as follows:
SQL> CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestProc 2 AS 3 v_non_nullable_variable VARCHAR2(30) NOT NULL := '5'; 4 v_null_variable VARCHAR2(30) := NULL; 5 BEGIN 6 v_non_nullable_variable := v_null_variable; 7 EXCEPTION 8 WHEN OTHERS THEN 9 dbms_output.put_line(SQLERRM); 10 END; 11 / Procedure created.
This procedure was successfully created. But when we try to execute this procedure, we will get an ORA-06502 error as follows:
ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error
In this example, you can not assign a NULL value to the variable called v_non_nullable_variable. You can correct this error removing NOT NULL from the variable declaration of the v_non_nullable_variable as follows:
SQL> CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE TestProc 2 AS 3 v_non_nullable_variable VARCHAR2(30) := '5'; 4 v_null_variable VARCHAR2(30) := NULL; 5 BEGIN 6 v_non_nullable_variable := v_null_variable; 7 EXCEPTION 8 WHEN OTHERS THEN 9 dbms_output.put_line(SQLERRM); 10 END; 11 / Procedure created.