apache/flink · error · IOException

Required column is missing in data file. Col: {}

Error message

Required column is missing in data file. Col: {}

What it means

Error "Required column is missing in data file. Col: {}" thrown in apache/flink.

Source

Thrown at flink-formats/flink-parquet/src/main/java/org/apache/flink/formats/parquet/ParquetVectorizedInputFormat.java:265

            throw new RuntimeException(
                    "The quality of field type is incompatible with the request schema!");
        }

        /*
         * Check that the requested schema is supported.
         */
        for (int i = 0; i < requestedSchema.getFieldCount(); ++i) {
            String[] colPath = requestedSchema.getPaths().get(i);
            if (fileSchema.containsPath(colPath)) {
                ColumnDescriptor fd = fileSchema.getColumnDescription(colPath);
                if (!fd.equals(requestedSchema.getColumns().get(i))) {
                    throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Schema evolution not supported.");
                }
            } else {
                if (requestedSchema.getColumns().get(i).getMaxDefinitionLevel() == 0) {
                    // Column is missing in data but the required data is non-nullable. This file is
                    // invalid.
                    throw new IOException(
                            "Required column is missing in data file. Col: "
                                    + Arrays.toString(colPath));
                }
            }
        }
    }

    private Pool<ParquetReaderBatch<T>> createPoolOfBatches(
            SplitT split, MessageType requestedSchema, int numBatches) {
        final Pool<ParquetReaderBatch<T>> pool = new Pool<>(numBatches);

        for (int i = 0; i < numBatches; i++) {
            pool.add(createReaderBatch(split, requestedSchema, pool.recycler()));
        }

        return pool;
    }

View on GitHub (pinned to 2f3c205e92)

Solutions

1. Address the cause reported by the error message: Required column is missing in data file. Col: the reported value
2. Verify the inputs, configuration values, and classpath/dependency setup related to this operation, then retry.

Example fix

Correct the condition described ("Required column is missing in data file. Col: the reported value") and rerun the job or command.

When it happens

Trigger: Triggered at runtime when the operation fails because: Required column is missing in data file. Col: the reported value.

Common situations: Commonly caused by misconfiguration, missing dependencies or files, unsupported types or operations, or invalid user input leading to: Required column is missing in data file. Col: the reported value.

AI-assisted analysis of apache/flink@2f3c205e92 (2026-08-14). Data as JSON: /api/errors/8316ab6dd1009002. Report an issue: GitHub.