How to Use Snowflake on Azure in PostgreSQL

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How do I connect PostgreSQL to Snowflake on Azure?

Snowflake on Azure FDW lets PostgreSQL query Azure-hosted Snowflake data through foreign tables.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

What is Snowflake on Azure and why would I query it from PostgreSQL?

Snowflake deployed in Microsoft Azure provides scalable cloud warehousing. PostgreSQL can read that data through a Foreign Data Wrapper (FDW), so developers join Snowflake facts with local PostgreSQL dimensions without ETL.

Which extension lets PostgreSQL reach Snowflake on Azure?

The community odbc_fdw or the commercial multicorn FDW works. Both rely on Snowflake’s ODBC driver for Azure. Install the driver, then create the FDW.

How do I install the FDW?

Run CREATE EXTENSION odbc_fdw; in the target database. Ensure the PostgreSQL server library path contains the Snowflake ODBC driver (libSnowflake.so).

How do I define the Snowflake server object?

Create a server with connection parameters that match your Azure region, Snowflake account, warehouse, database, and schema. Example syntax appears in the next section.

How do I map a PostgreSQL role to the Snowflake login?

Use CREATE USER MAPPING to store the Snowflake username, password, and optional role. Keep sensitive values in postgresql.conf or a secrets manager, not plaintext DDL scripts.

How do I import Snowflake tables as PostgreSQL foreign tables?

IMPORT FOREIGN SCHEMA pulls table definitions automatically. Alternatively, define each foreign table manually to rename columns or change data types.

How do I query Snowflake data?

Once foreign tables exist, use standard SELECT, JOIN, and WHERE clauses. PostgreSQL pushes filters to Snowflake when possible, reducing egress costs.

What performance tips matter most?

Select only required columns, push predicates, and use Snowflake clustering keys for heavily filtered columns. Keep your warehouse size appropriate; tiny warehouses throttle FDW queries.

What security practices should I follow?

Restrict the FDW user in Snowflake to read-only roles. Store credentials in postgresql.auto.conf with ALTER SYSTEM SET odbc_fdw.password = '•••'; and reload.

What are common errors and how do I fix them?

Connection failures usually mean the ODBC driver, DSN, or network rules are incorrect. Import errors often occur when Snowflake column names exceed 63 characters; alias them during import.

Why How to Use Snowflake on Azure in PostgreSQL is important

How to Use Snowflake on Azure in PostgreSQL Example Usage


--Find customers who spent more than $500 last month in Snowflake on Azure
SELECT c.id,
       c.name,
       SUM(o.total_amount) AS monthly_spend
FROM   Orders@snowflake_azure o
JOIN   Customers@snowflake_azure c ON c.id = o.customer_id
WHERE  o.order_date BETWEEN date_trunc('month', CURRENT_DATE) - INTERVAL '1 month'
                       AND date_trunc('month', CURRENT_DATE) - INTERVAL '1 day'
GROUP  BY c.id, c.name
HAVING SUM(o.total_amount) > 500
ORDER  BY monthly_spend DESC;

How to Use Snowflake on Azure in PostgreSQL Syntax


--1. Install extension
CREATE EXTENSION odbc_fdw;

--2. Register Snowflake on Azure as a server
authhost = 'myaccount.east-us-2.azure.snowflakecomputing.com'
CREATE SERVER snowflake_azure
  FOREIGN DATA WRAPPER odbc_fdw
  OPTIONS (
    odbc_DRIVER 'SnowflakeDSIIDriver',
    odbc_SERVER   'myaccount.east-us-2.azure',
    odbc_UID      '',   --provided via USER MAPPING
    odbc_PWD      '',   --provided via USER MAPPING
    odbc_DATABASE 'ECOMMERCE_DB',
    odbc_SCHEMA   'PUBLIC',
    odbc_WAREHOUSE 'DEV_WH',
    sslmode 'require'
  );

--3. Map a PostgreSQL role to Snowflake credentials
CREATE USER MAPPING FOR app_user
  SERVER snowflake_azure
  OPTIONS (
    username 'APP_RO',
    password 'S3cureP@ss',
    role     'READ_ONLY'
  );

--4. Import the ecommerce schema
IMPORT FOREIGN SCHEMA PUBLIC
  LIMIT TO (Customers, Orders, Products, OrderItems)
  FROM SERVER snowflake_azure INTO public;

--5. Query foreign tables
SELECT c.name, SUM(oi.quantity) AS items_bought
FROM Customers c
JOIN Orders o       ON o.customer_id = c.id
JOIN OrderItems oi  ON oi.order_id   = o.id
GROUP BY c.name;

Common Mistakes

Using the generic ODBC FDW driver string without the Azure account locator. Fix: include the full <account>.<region>.azure domain in odbc_SERVER.
Importing every Snowflake table at once, overloading PostgreSQL with unused foreign tables. Fix: use LIMIT TO or EXCEPT lists during IMPORT FOREIGN SCHEMA.