# Report SQL data source resulting in "Invalid column name'{....}'"

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Tags:** reporting, ignition81\
**Created:** [May 6, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416 "2026-05-06T19:01:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Transistor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/transistor/32/3380_2.png) [@Transistor](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Transistor)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416/1 "2026-05-06T19:01:13Z")

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I'm doing a project requiring a series of reports - and I haven't done any reports for a while. I've reviewed all the relevant IU videos on the reporting module as a refresher. Here's the current problem:

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/0/9/091b44bdd330e248e2de9548f2d49e980c92faff.jpeg)  
_Figure 1. SQL data source._

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/9/a/9a6d342e1210256c28652083bf2a52b205d62800.png)  
_Figure 2. The BatchId parameter._

_Error message in Preview tab:_

```python
WARN: An error occurred while executing Query SELECT	*
FROM	HEADER
WHERE	BATCHID = "{BatchId}"	-- e.g. '001234567'
-- Invalid column name '{BatchId}'.

```

Can anyone suggest why it thinks '{BatchId}' is a column name?

Thanks!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lrose](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/lrose/32/62724_2.png) [@lrose](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/lrose)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416/2 "2026-05-06T19:07:29Z")

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The SQL standard uses double quotes as column and identifer delimiter. I don't believe you need the double quotes around the `{BatchID}` as it should take the paramter type into account. Much like parameters for Named Queries.

It might also be unhappy with the comments in the query string. I know there have been issues with that in other areas.

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**Author:** ![dkhayes117](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/dkhayes117/32/68344_2.png) [@dkhayes117](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/dkhayes117)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416/3 "2026-05-06T20:09:26Z")

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Use a `?` for the parameter placeholder in the query editor, then a parameter input box will popup where you put `{BatchId}`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Transistor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/transistor/32/3380_2.png) [@Transistor](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Transistor)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416/4 "2026-05-06T20:20:11Z")

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Thanks for the reply.

> The SQL standard uses double quotes as column and identifeir delimiter.

Oops! Yes. I was experimenting on the basis of a wider web search.

> I don't believe you need the double quotes around the `{BatchID}` as it should take the paramter type into account. Much like parameters for Named Queries.

That was my thinking too, but it's contradicted by the docs at [Basic SQL Query | Ignition User Manual](https://docs.inductiveautomation.com/docs/8.1/ignition-modules/reporting/report-data/basic-sql-query). (See the bit on Report Parameters in a Basic SQL Query.)

I'm continuing to investigate!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Transistor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/transistor/32/3380_2.png) [@Transistor](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Transistor)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416/5 "2026-05-06T20:44:16Z")

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Doh! I found it.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/1/1/11a2195fdb26372e17096e98509bcbac8ceefc5a.png)

Don't enter the {paramameter} into the query. Use the ? and an expression dialog will open below.

Thanks!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dkhayes117](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/dkhayes117/32/68344_2.png) [@dkhayes117](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/dkhayes117)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416/6 "2026-05-06T20:44:50Z")

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Did you not see my reply?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Transistor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/transistor/32/3380_2.png) [@Transistor](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Transistor)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/report-sql-data-source-resulting-in-invalid-column-name/115416/7 "2026-05-06T20:48:50Z")

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No, I missed it in my excitement!  
I'll mark yours as the solution. Thanks!