---
title: "Analyze Data in Azure with DuckDB or MotherDuck"
canonical: "https://motherduck.com/blog/analyze-data-in-azure-with-duckdb/"
related:
  - title: "Azure Blob Storage | MotherDuck Docs"
    url: "https://motherduck.com/docs/integrations/cloud-storage/azure-blob-storage/"
  - title: "Why Use DuckDB for Analytics?"
    url: "https://motherduck.com/blog/six-reasons-duckdb-slaps/"
  - title: "Microsoft Copilot + MotherDuck Integration | DuckDB Analytics"
    url: "https://motherduck.com/ecosystem/microsoft-copilot/"
---

# Analyze Data in Azure with DuckDB or MotherDuck

So, you've got some data in Azure blob storage, and you want to run some queries? You can do that with DuckDB or MotherDuck! DuckDB is a lightweight app you install on your computer and execute queries by typing in commands at your terminal. MotherDuck is essentially DuckDB in the cloud, with a UI running in your browser. There's nothing to install. The good news is that *both* now support querying data stored on Azure!  

## Find your Azure connection string

Whether you use DuckDB or MotherDuck, you need your Azure connection string to authenticate to the Azure platform. You can find your connection string in the [Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com/). Under *Resources*, click your storage container. Under *Security + networking*, click *Access keys*. If this is your first time using access keys, you may need to generate a new one. Next, click the *Show* button to reveal your connection string. Select the entire connection string and copy it to your clipboard.

![Find your Azure connection string under access keys](https://motherduck-com-web-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/img/duckdb_azure_access_keys_ef01a61726.jpg)

As mentioned on this page in the Azure portal, keeping your connection string secure is very important. Learn more about [Azure connection strings](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/storage/common/storage-configure-connection-string).

## Query Azure with DuckDB

The DuckDB command-line interface (CLI) application supports Azure queries through an [optional extension](https://duckdb.org/docs/extensions/azure). To use this extension, you must start the application, install the extension, and configure your Azure connection string.

### Launch DuckDB

If you haven't already, [download and install DuckDB](https://duckdb.org/docs/installation/) on your computer. Open your terminal or command prompt, and start the DuckDB application.
```sh
./duckdb
```

### Install and configure the Azure extension for DuckDB

Now that you have DuckDB running, you must install and activate the Azure extension. You can do this in the DuckDB CLI with the following commands.
```sql
INSTALL azure;
LOAD azure;
```
With the Azure extension loaded, you can configure the extension to use your Azure connection string. Use the following `SET` command, replacing `<your_connection_string>` with the value copied from the Azure portal.
```sql
SET azure_storage_connection_string = '<your_connection_string>';
```
You are now ready to query data files stored in your Azure container!

### Query data files in Azure from DuckDB

Here is the syntax for querying a file in Azure Blob storage.

```sql
FROM 'azure://[container]/[file-name-or-file-pattern]'
```

For example, to query a file named `survey_results.csv` in a container named `my_container`, the SQL may look like the following.

```sql
SELECT count(*) FROM 'azure://my_container/survey_results.csv';
```

You can also query across multiple files with a file-matching pattern. For example, if you have separate files for each month of the year named `year-month-sales.csv`, you could query across the entire year using the following.

```sql
SELECT count(*) FROM 'azure://my_container/2023-*-sales.csv';
```

### Query across multiple cloud storage providers using DuckDB

Combining the new Azure extension and the HTTPS extension, it's possible to query across multiple storage providers, should the need arise. For example, you may have historical data stored in Amazon S3 and more recent data stored in Azure and need to query across both.

```sql
-- Load and configure Azure
INSTALL azure;
LOAD azure;
SET azure_storage_connection_string = 'your-connection-string';

-- Load and configure Amazon S3
INSTALL httpfs;
LOAD httpfs;
SET s3_access_key_id='your-access-key-id';
SET s3_secret_access_key='your-secret-access-key';
SET s3_region='your-region';

SELECT t1.*
FROM (
    SELECT * FROM 's3://my-s3-bucket/sales-history.csv'
    UNION ALL
    SELECT * FROM 'azure://my-container/ytd-sales.csv'
) t1
ORDER BY "Gross Amt" DESC
LIMIT 10;
```

## Query data in Azure from MotherDuck

MotherDuck is a powerful, serverless analytics tool that enables you to run queries directly from your browser. And, there are *fewer* steps to configure MotherDuck to query Azure. 

### Configure your Azure connection in MotherDuck

MotherDuck provides a secure and convenient way to store your Azure connection string so you can query Azure whenever you need. To save your Azure connection string in MotherDuck, log in to your [MotherDuck](https://app.motherduck.com/) account and complete the following steps.

1. Click your profile menu and click *Settings*.
2. Under *Secrets*, click the *ADD* button.
3. Click the *Secret type* and click *Azure*.
4. Paste your connection string in the box labeled *Azure storage connection string*.
5. Click *Save*.

![Add MotherDuck Secret to connect to Azure](https://motherduck-com-web-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/img/duckdb_azure_add_motherduck_secret_8938a4ccba.jpg)

### Query Azure data from MotherDuck

Next, create a new cell in your MotherDuck notebook. Then, write a SQL query to access your Azure storage account. For example, if you have a file saved in `my_container` named `ytd-sales.csv`, you might try the following.

```sql
SELECT * 
FROM 'azure://my_container/ytd-sales.csv'
ORDER BY "Gross Sales"
LIMIT 10;
```

You are ready to *duck* and roll with MotherDuck and Azure!

## Further reading

With the Azure extension for DuckDB, you can now query data in secure Azure Blob storage, including CSV, JSON, parquet, Apache Iceberg, and others. To learn more, you may be interested in the following.

* [MotherDuck support for Azure Blob Storage](https://motherduck.com/docs/integrations/cloud-storage/azure-blob-storage/)
* [MotherDuck supported cloud storage providers](https://motherduck.com/docs/category/cloud-storage/)
* [DuckDB Azure extension documentation](https://duckdb.org/docs/extensions/azure)