COUNT(*) returning multiple rows instead of just one

Question

Why does COUNT() return multiple rows when I just need the total count of how many rows my query generates?

Should return 1078.

Answer 1

The COUNT() is working as expected. When you put a group by clause, the count() gives you the result for GROUP BY. If you wish to get the count of rows in a query that includes group by, use it as a subquery instead.

Something like:

SELECT COUNT(*) FROM (SELECT * FROM `table`
                      GROUP BY `column1`) AS `a`