---
title: "ERROR_MESSAGE (Transact-SQL) | Microsoft Docs"
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---
# ERROR_MESSAGE (Transact-SQL)
[!INCLUDE[tsql-appliesto-ss2008-all-md](../../includes/tsql-appliesto-ss2008-all-md.md)]

This function returns the message text of the error that caused the CATCH block of a TRY…CATCH construct to execute.  
  
 ![Topic link icon](../../database-engine/configure-windows/media/topic-link.gif "Topic link icon") [Transact-SQL Syntax Conventions](../../t-sql/language-elements/transact-sql-syntax-conventions-transact-sql.md)  
  
## Syntax  
  
```  
ERROR_MESSAGE ( )   
```  
  
## Return Types  
 **nvarchar(4000)**  
  
## Return Value  
When called in a CATCH block, `ERROR_MESSAGE` returns the complete text of the error message that caused the `CATCH` block to run. The text includes the values supplied for any substitutable parameters - for example, lengths, object names, or times.  
  
`ERROR_MESSAGE` returns NULL when called outside the scope of a CATCH block.  
  
## Remarks  
`ERROR_MESSAGE` supports calls anywhere within the scope of a CATCH block.  
  
`ERROR_MESSAGE` returns a relevant error message regardless of how many times it runs, or where it runs within the scope of the `CATCH` block. This contrasts with a function like @@ERROR, which only returns an error number in the statement immediately following the one that causes an error.  
  
In nested `CATCH` blocks, `ERROR_MESSAGE` returns the error message specific to the scope of the `CATCH` block that referenced that `CATCH` block. For example, the `CATCH` block of an outer TRY...CATCH construct could have an inner `TRY...CATCH` construct. Inside that inner `CATCH` block, `ERROR_MESSAGE` returns the message from the error that invoked the inner `CATCH` block. If `ERROR_MESSAGE` runs in the outer `CATCH` block, it returns the message from the error that invoked that outer `CATCH` block.  
  
## Examples  
  
### A. Using ERROR_MESSAGE in a CATCH block  
This example shows a `SELECT` statement that generates a divide-by-zero error. The `CATCH` block returns the error message.  
  
```  
  
BEGIN TRY  
    -- Generate a divide-by-zero error.  
    SELECT 1/0;  
END TRY  
BEGIN CATCH  
    SELECT ERROR_MESSAGE() AS ErrorMessage;  
END CATCH;  
GO  

-----------

(0 row(s) affected)

ErrorMessage
----------------------------------
Divide by zero error encountered.

(1 row(s) affected)

```  
  
### B. Using ERROR_MESSAGE in a CATCH block with other error-handling tools  
This example shows a `SELECT` statement that generates a divide-by-zero error. Along with the error message, the `CATCH` block returns information about that error.  
  
```  
BEGIN TRY  
    -- Generate a divide-by-zero error.  
    SELECT 1/0;  
END TRY  
BEGIN CATCH  
    SELECT  
        ERROR_NUMBER() AS ErrorNumber  
        ,ERROR_SEVERITY() AS ErrorSeverity  
        ,ERROR_STATE() AS ErrorState  
        ,ERROR_PROCEDURE() AS ErrorProcedure  
        ,ERROR_LINE() AS ErrorLine  
        ,ERROR_MESSAGE() AS ErrorMessage;  
END CATCH;  
GO  

-----------

(0 row(s) affected)

ErrorNumber ErrorSeverity ErrorState  ErrorProcedure  ErrorLine  ErrorMessage
----------- ------------- ----------- --------------- ---------- ----------------------------------
8134        16            1           NULL            4          Divide by zero error encountered.

(1 row(s) affected)

```