What is Azure Data Catalog?
Notice: Azure Data Catalog was retired on May 15, 2024. For data catalog capabilities Microsoft points to Microsoft Purview, which offers unified data governance for your entire data estate.
Azure Data Catalog is a fully managed service for registering and discovering enterprise data. Users can find, understand, and use data sources without knowing technical details.
Core Features
- Central registration of data sources with metadata
- Self-service data discovery for business users
- Crowdsourcing of annotations and documentation
- Integration with SQL Server Data Tools and Power BI
Typical Use Cases
- Data governance and compliance documentation
- Self-service BI and data democratization
- Onboarding new employees with data overview
Benefits
- Significantly reduces time spent searching for data
- Promotes knowledge sharing about data sources
- No duplication of production data
- Free Edition available for small teams
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you with Azure Data Catalog: building a data catalog, migration to Microsoft Purview, and data governance strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference to Microsoft Purview?
Azure Data Catalog is the predecessor of Microsoft Purview. For new projects, Microsoft recommends Purview, which offers extended governance, lineage, and classification features.
Which data sources are supported?
SQL Server, Azure SQL, Oracle, Teradata, SAP HANA, HDFS, Azure Blob Storage, and more. Metadata is registered, not the data itself.
How does search work?
Full-text search across metadata, tags, and annotations. Users can discover data sources without needing direct access.
Is Data Catalog GDPR compliant?
Yes, when using European Azure regions. Only metadata is stored, not production data.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Azure (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Azure.
