I get import errors while importing the dumps exported from older MySQL versions (pre-5.7.6) into newer MySQL versions (5.7.7+), but they work fine when imported back on same older versions ? ¶

If you get errors like #1031 - Table storage engine for 'table_name' doesn't have this option while importing the dumps exported from pre-5.7.7 MySQL servers into new MySQL server versions 5.7.7+, it might be because ROW_FORMAT=FIXED is not supported with InnoDB tables. Moreover, the value of innodb_strict_mode would define if this would be reported as a warning or as an error.

Since MySQL version 5.7.9, the default value for innodb_strict_mode is ON and thus would generate an error when such a CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE statement is encountered.

There are two ways of preventing such errors while importing:

• Change the value of innodb_strict_mode to OFF before starting the import and turn it ON after the import is successfully completed.
• This can be achieved in two ways:
  • Go to 'Variables' page and edit the value of innodb_strict_mode
  • Run the query : SET GLOBAL `innodb_strict_mode = '[value]'`

After the import is done, it is suggested that the value of innodb_strict_mode should be reset to the original value.