Databricks SQL is designed to provide a high-performance, integrated environment for data analysts to run ad-hoc queries and create visualizations and dashboards directly within the Databricks platform. This capability is ideal for quick exploratory analysis, data validation, and rapid prototyping. It is intended to be a complementary tool that works alongside and powers other specialized business intelligence (BI) tools like Tableau and Power BI. These external tools connect to Databricks SQL as a data source to build more polished, production-grade, and interactive dashboards for wider business consumption.

A: Databricks SQL is not an exact substitute, as dedicated BI tools typically offer more extensive and mature visualization, customization, and presentation-layer features.

B: While it may have different functionality, its primary role is not to be a lesser substitute but to complement and power other tools.

C: It is not a complete replacement. It complements the BI ecosystem by providing a powerful query engine on the lakehouse, not by replacing the entire feature set of dedicated BI tools.

D: "Professional-grade presentations" with extensive branding and customization are the primary strength of tools like Tableau or Power BI, not the core use case for Databricks SQL's native dashboards.

1. Databricks Documentation

"What is Databricks SQL?": This document states

"Databricks SQL provides a general purpose SQL query editor

visualizations

and dashboards for ad-hoc exploratory queries and prototyping." It also clarifies its complementary role: "Databricks SQL also is the primary way to run SQL queries with other BI and visualization tools." This highlights its dual purpose as both an in-platform tool and a backend for external BI tools.

2. Databricks Documentation

"Connect BI tools to Databricks": The existence of extensive documentation and dedicated Partner Connect integrations for tools like Power BI

Tableau

and Looker demonstrates that Databricks SQL is designed to work with these tools

not replace them. It serves as the high-performance SQL data warehouse layer they query against.