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Asked: 2026-05-23T22:34:51+00:00

With reference to the last part of answer given here: What's the difference between

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With reference to the last part of answer given here:
What's the difference between identifying and non-identifying relationships?

A non-identifying relationship can be
optional or mandatory, which means the
foreign key column allows NULL or
disallows NULL, respectively.

I am creating a non-identifying relationship in MySQL Workbench and whether I keep foreign key column MANDATORY or NON-MANDATORY, has no effect. Even if it is NON-MANDATORY I can’t enter NULL values in it. I have to explicitly choose that particular foreign key as allowing NULL and only then I am able to store NULL values.
So I want to ask if this is the correct behaviour or this is a problem with MySQL Workbench or MySQL?

Thanks

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    G’day,

    Answer: Bugs in MySQL Workbench.

    Solution: The workbench appears to get confused at times, I have noticed I need to firstly delete any existing relationships, and then manually remove artifacts left in the table from the relationship. Then re-create the relationship.

    For a non-identifying relationship, workbench should indicate whether it is mandatory by a filled pink diamond icon (or not mandatory by an unfilled pink diamond). For an identifying relationship, you should be seeing a key to indicate a primary key.

    I’m not complaining about bugs in the community edition though! the workbench software gets a 10/10 from me. If on the other hand you are running the standard edition, then contact MySQL.

    (I’m running MySQL Workbench v5.2.34 CE, Rev 7780.)

    Cheers

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