---
title: "SQLPrepare (Desktop Database Drivers) | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "01/19/2017"
ms.prod: sql
ms.prod_service: connectivity
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: connectivity
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "SQLPrepare function [ODBC], Desktop Database Drivers"
ms.assetid: dbc8f17b-2913-4bdf-841c-d79213993cd8
author: David-Engel
ms.author: v-daenge
---
# SQLPrepare (Desktop Database Drivers)
A statement prepared with an incorrect number of columns returns an error at execution time, not upon statement preparation.