What permissions are needed to fix [INSUFFICIENT_PERMISSIONS] User does not have permission toSELECT
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08-13-2025 03:25 PM
Hi,
I am getting the following error in Databricks when running a SELECT query:
Context:
Environment: Unity Catalog enabled
I am trying to query a table located in dbfs by me
I do not have direct admin rights, so my workspace admin will need to grant the permissions.
Question:
What exact permissions (on tables, schemas, or storage) does my admin need to grant so that I can run SELECT queries successfully?
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08-13-2025 04:10 PM
all you need is run Usage on Catalog / schema and select permissions on table level..
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08-14-2025 09:21 AM
Please run this command
GRANT SELECT ON ANY FILE TO `[user]`
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08-15-2025 06:22 AM
If you’re getting an “Insufficient Permissions” error in Databricks, it usually means your user is missing one or more privileges required for the action you’re trying to perform. In Unity Catalog, for example, querying a view in dedicated compute mode often requires USE CATALOG, USE SCHEMA, and SELECT on all underlying tables or views referenced by that view, and if the view depends on other views, each upstream layer must also have the right SELECT grants. Some workflows, like reading files directly from storage, require SELECT ON ANY FILE, and tools like dbt may also need CREATE on the catalog even if the schema already exists. Ensuring the right permissions are granted at every level—catalog, schema, table/view, and file access—should resolve most cases.
Data Engineer | Machine Learning Engineer
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wiliamrosa