Importing Data

What this chapter covers

Importing Data is 5% of the Databricks Data Analyst Associate exam, one of the smallest chapters. It covers how data reaches Databricks so an analyst can query it in Unity Catalog.

The chapter has two parts: choosing among the ways to bring data in (files in S3, Auto Loader, Delta Sharing, API intake, Lakeflow Connect managed connectors and Marketplace), and uploading a file yourself through the workspace UI.

Questions are mostly short scenarios in which the stated requirement (freshness, cost, who may see what, audience) decides the answer. They are single-answer multiple choice, and short SQL is shown as text. There are no exhibits.

How the topics fit together

Every import question starts with where the data lives and how often it changes. A one off local file points to the upload UI. Files landing in S3 point to Auto Loader or a scheduled load, a SaaS application or database points to Lakeflow Connect, and data owned by another organization points to Delta Sharing or Marketplace.

• Method questions ask which approach fits a source, a freshness need and a skill level.
• Sharing questions ask how another organization's data arrives without copying it.
• Upload questions ask what the UI accepts and what it creates.

How to use these pages

Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.

• What it is: the idea in plain words.
• How it works: the mechanism, with tables and examples.
• What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorize and how questions are phrased.
• Common mistakes: the classic traps.
• Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.