I think I encountered a bug with [sp_execute_external_script][1], so here is the replay I will get an error if I run the following script -- error occurs exec sp_execute_external_script @language=N'R' , @script = N' result <- as.data.frame(c(i, j));' , @params = N'@i varchar(100), @j varchar(100)' , @i = 'hello' , @j = 'world' , @output_data_1_name = N'result' -- the position of this param caused problem with result sets ((test varchar(100))); I will get an error Msg 8144, Level 16, State 2, Line 1 Procedure or function has too many arguments specified. However, if I just move up the @output_data_1_name like the following -- NO error occurs exec sp_execute_external_script @language=N'R' , @script = N' result <- as.data.frame(c(i, j));' , @output_data_1_name = N'result' -- this position in front of @parms caused NO problem , @params = N'@i varchar(100), @j varchar(100)' , @i = 'hello' , @j = 'world' with result sets ((test varchar(100))); and I will get [![enter image description here][2]][2] Does anyone know whether I am doing something wrong or it indeed could be a bug of sql server 2016? My environment is (by select @@version): Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (SP1-CU1) (KB3208177) - 13.0.4411.0 (X64) Jan 6 2017 14:24:37 Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation Developer Edition (64-bit) on Windows 10 Pro 6.3 <X64> (Build 14393: ) [1]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/mt604368.aspx [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/qgUtF.jpg