Unable to Query Lake Database - Error External table 'database name' is not accessible because content of directory cannot be listed.

Question

Unable to Query Lake Database - Error External table 'database name' is not accessible because content of directory cannot be listed.

Bipin 6

Hi
I am getting below error when try to query Azure Lake Database
"External table 'database name' is not accessible because content of directory cannot be listed"

Tried all the methods available like providing access Storage Blob Data Contributor for Synapse identity, etc

Still getting the same error

Thanks in Advance

ShaikMaheer-MSFT 38,631 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2022-01-27T14:02:53.97+00:00
Hi @Bipin ,

Thank you for posting query in Microsoft Q&A Platform.

Could you please help to understand below so that we can repro and help on resolution.

You mean, you have a lake database and table created in that lake database(Spark database) in Synapse?. Now, when you are trying to query that lake database you are getting above error?

How you tried to query your lake database table? Using SSMS client or Synapse workspace browser?

Detailed steps which you followed may help.

Thank you.
Bipin 6 Reputation points

2022-01-29T09:24:36.383+00:00

Hi
please find my response below

You mean, you have a lake database and table created in that lake database(Spark database) in Synapse?. Now, when you are trying to query that lake database you are getting above error?
I have created new Lake Database (Preview) from synapse workspace, I have tried with custom as well as with the templates available
How you tried to query your lake database table? Using SSMS client or Synapse workspace browser?
Synapse workspace browser
I have tried basic select * from table
Detailed steps which you followed may help.

sample query(auto generated)
SELECT TOP (100) [Column_1]
FROM [Database 1].[dbo].[Table_1]

Error
External table 'Database 1' is not accessible because content of directory cannot be listed

Thanks
Bipin

Thanks
Bipin
ShaikMaheer-MSFT 38,631 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2022-02-01T16:31:46.713+00:00

Hi @Bipin - Could you please try giving Storage blob data contributor role Azure active directory account with which you connected to Synapse workspace?
Pieter Human 1 Reputation point

2022-08-05T05:34:58.827+00:00

Hi, I get the same error, I have granted the Storage Blob data container to my account that executes the query on the data lake storage container.
External table 'OilGas_hs3.dbo.AdvertisingCampaign' is not accessible because content of directory cannot be listed.
MarleneKnaup 1 Reputation point

2022-09-11T12:56:37.37+00:00

Hi all,
I have the same problem.

I just added a template demo lakehouse in my synapse workspace and query top 100 rows:
External table 'Database1.dbo.Customer' is not accessible because content of directory cannot be listed.

I gave contributor access in azure portal to storageblob, but that didn't help. And more ideas? Thank you very much!