SQLCODE -122: Column or expression in SELECT list not valid

What it means

When a query uses GROUP BY, or uses an aggregate function such as SUM or COUNT, each row of the result stands for a group of rows. Every value in the SELECT list must then have one value per group. Grouping columns and expressions do. Aggregate functions do. A plain column that isn't grouped doesn't, because it can differ from row to row inside the group, so Db2 rejects the statement with -122.

The Db2 for z/OS documentation lists four cases. A SELECT list has a column and an aggregate function but no GROUP BY. A column, possibly inside a scalar function, is in the SELECT list but not in GROUP BY. An expression in the SELECT list isn't in GROUP BY. Or the result is grouped and an ORDER BY sort key mixes grouped and ungrouped data. A HAVING clause with no GROUP BY makes the whole table one group, so every column in the SELECT list must then be inside an aggregate function.

An expression only counts as grouped if it matches a GROUP BY expression exactly, ignoring blanks.

Common causes

• A column added to the SELECT list of a grouped query and not to GROUP BY.
• A detail column next to a total, such as SELECT EMPNO, SUM(SALARY) FROM EMP with no GROUP BY.
• Grouping by an expression such as SUBSTR(DEPT, 1, 2) and selecting DEPT, or a different expression, on its own.
• An ORDER BY key on an ungrouped column in a grouped query.
• A HAVING clause without GROUP BY in a query that also selects plain columns.

How to find the problem

1. Take every item in the SELECT list and the ORDER BY list. Each must be in GROUP BY, built only from grouping columns, or inside an aggregate function.
2. Compare grouping expressions character for character with GROUP BY, ignoring blanks.
3. For static SQL, the bind output gives the statement number. For a query tool, the DSNT408I message appears under the statement.

How to fix it

• Add the column or expression to GROUP BY if each value really should form its own group.
• Wrap the column in an aggregate if one value per group is enough, for example MAX(LASTNAME).
• Remove the column from the SELECT list if it isn't needed.
• To show detail rows next to totals, join the detail to a grouped subquery, or use an OLAP function such as SUM(SALARY) OVER (PARTITION BY DEPT).
• Use the same expression text in SELECT, GROUP BY and ORDER BY.

What it looks like

DSNT408I SQLCODE = -122, ERROR:  COLUMN OR EXPRESSION IN THE SELECT LIST IS NOT VALID
DSNT418I SQLSTATE   = 42803 SQLSTATE RETURN CODE

Technical reviewer: Albert Joseph, WND Software.

Last reviewed 2026-10-18 by the WND Software team. Written in our own words. For the full reference, check IBM’s Db2 for z/OS documentation for your release.