How to resolve the "Incorrect syntax near 'FORMAT'" with Parquet file

Question

How to resolve the "Incorrect syntax near 'FORMAT'" with Parquet file

Anthony Morgan 0

I'm working with Azure Sql connected to an Azure Storage account.

I want to read a Parquet file from a Azure Storage account. This code works with a CSV, so I know the connection is good, but when I set the Format to Parquet I get Incorrect syntax near 'FORMAT'.

The code is

select * FROM openrowset( bulk 'drug.parquet', DATA_SOURCE = 'TestTables', FORMAT = 'parquet' ) as DataFile;

My sql compatibility is set at 160, however I have also tested it as 170.

All the documentation I can find said it this is available such as https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/functions/openrowset-transact-sql?view=sql-server-ver17

Has anybody been able to get this to work.

Thanks

Sai Raghunadh M 4,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-12T19:17:27.4433333+00:00

Hi @ Anthony Morgan

Just checking in to see if the below answer helped. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

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Sai Raghunadh M 4,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-12T19:17:27.4433333+00:00

Hi @ Anthony Morgan

Just checking in to see if the below answer helped. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Answer 1

Hi @ Anthony Morgan

Apologies for the inconvenience you're experiencing with the OPENROWSET(FORMAT='PARQUET') error in Azure SQL Database. Currently, this feature is in private preview for Azure SQL Database. However, it is supported in Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure Synapse SQL pool.

If you're using Azure SQL Database, consider alternative methods such as Azure Data Factory or Azure Synapse Analytics to process Parquet files. These services offer robust solutions for handling Parquet data.

Please go through the conversation in the below thread that might help you:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2069679/openrowset(format-parquet)-syntax-error-in-azure-s

Hope this helps. Do let us know if you any further queries.

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Sai Raghunadh M 4,120 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-13T19:41:29.2366667+00:00

Hi @ Anthony Morgan

Just checking in to see if the above answer helped. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

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How to resolve the "Incorrect syntax near 'FORMAT'" with Parquet file

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