❌ Common Issues Faced While Creating the First Stored Procedure in SQL Server

Creating your first stored procedure in SQL Server is an important milestone. However, beginners often face multiple errors that can feel confusing at first.

This blog explains the most common stored procedure errors, their exact SQL Server error messages, why they occur, and how to fix them easily.

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1️⃣ Incorrect Syntax Near ‘CREATE’

❌ Error Message

Msg 102, Level 15, State 1
Incorrect syntax near 'CREATE'.

🔍 Cause

• CREATE PROCEDURE is not the first statement in the batch
• Missing GO before CREATE

✅ Solution

Use GO before creating the procedure.

GO
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.GetUsers
AS
BEGIN
    SELECT * FROM Users;
END
GO

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2️⃣ Stored Procedure Created but Not Visible

❌ Error Message

No error message, but the procedure is not visible

🔍 Cause

• Created in the wrong database
• Created under a different schema

✅ Solution

Always specify the database and schema.

CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.GetUsers
AS
BEGIN
    SELECT * FROM Users;
END

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3️⃣ Must Declare the Scalar Variable

❌ Error Message

Msg 137, Level 15, State 2
Must declare the scalar variable "@UserId".

🔍 Cause

• Parameter used inside the procedure but not declared

✅ Solution

Declare parameters in the procedure definition.

CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.GetUserById
    @UserId INT
AS
BEGIN
    SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Id = @UserId;
END

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4️⃣ Invalid Object Name

❌ Error Message

Msg 208, Level 16, State 1
Invalid object name 'Employees'.

🔍 Cause

• Table does not exist
• Wrong schema name
• Wrong database selected

✅ Solution

Use the correct schema and database.

SELECT * FROM dbo.Employees;

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5️⃣ Cannot ALTER Because Object Does Not Exist

❌ Error Message

Msg 208, Level 16
Cannot ALTER 'ProcedureName' because it does not exist.

🔍 Cause

• Using ALTER PROCEDURE before creating it

✅ Solution

First time → CREATE
Later → ALTER

CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.SampleProc
AS
BEGIN
    SELECT GETDATE();
END

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6️⃣ EXECUTE Permission Denied

❌ Error Message

EXECUTE permission denied on object 'GetUsers'

🔍 Cause

• User does not have execute permission

✅ Solution

Grant execute permission.

GRANT EXECUTE ON dbo.GetUsers TO UserName;

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7️⃣ Stored Procedure Runs but Returns No Data

❌ Error Message

No error message, but no result returned

🔍 Cause

• Incorrect WHERE condition
• Using = NULL instead of IS NULL

✅ Solution

WHERE ColumnName IS NULL;

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8️⃣ Extra “Rows Affected” Message

❌ Error Message

(1 row affected)

🔍 Cause

• SET NOCOUNT ON not used

✅ Solution

SET NOCOUNT ON;

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9️⃣ Incorrect Number of Parameters Passed

❌ Error Message

Procedure expects parameter '@Id', which was not supplied.

🔍 Cause

• Missing parameter while executing procedure

✅ Solution

EXEC dbo.GetUserById @UserId = 5;

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🔟 BEGIN…END Missing for Multiple Statements

❌ Error Message

Unpredictable execution or partial execution

🔍 Cause

• Multiple statements without BEGIN and END

✅ Solution

AS
BEGIN
    INSERT INTO Logs VALUES ('Started');
    SELECT * FROM Users;
END

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✅ Best Practices for Your First Stored Procedure

✔ Always use dbo schema
✔ Use SET NOCOUNT ON
✔ Use meaningful procedure names
✔ Test procedure using EXEC
✔ Comment your code

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📌 Perfect First Stored Procedure Example

GO
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.HelloWorld
AS
BEGIN
    SET NOCOUNT ON;
    SELECT 'Hello, SQL Server!' AS Message;
END
GO

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✍️ Conclusion

Errors while creating your first stored procedure are completely normal. Once you understand SQL Server error messages and their causes, debugging becomes much easier and faster.

Practice, read error messages carefully, and you’ll gain confidence quickly.

Happy coding! 🚀