Fetching JSON Data from Azure Data Lake Storage: A Beginner’s Odyssey 🚀

Dhruv Singhal
2 min readNov 21, 2023

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Hey there, budding data engineer! Ready to embark on a quest to retrieve some JSON data from Azure Data Lake Storage using Azure Data Factory? Great! Let’s keep it fun and simple.

Step 1: Join the Azure Party 🎉

First things first, ensure you’re connected to Azure Data Lake Storage via Azure Data Factory. It’s like joining a cool party — you want to be in the right place to have a good time.

Step 2: Create a Dataset 📊

Think of a dataset as a ticket to the show. Create one that points to your JSON data in Azure Data Lake Storage. Tell it where to find the data, and what it looks like, and, oh yeah, make sure to set the format to “JSON.” It’s like giving directions to your favorite snack at the party.

Step 3: Introduce the Lookup Activity 🕵️‍♀️

Meet the Lookup activity — a superhero for small data missions! Add it to your pipeline. It’s like sending a secret agent to fetch specific data without causing a commotion.

For an in-depth exploration and detailed guidance, head over to the below URL:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/control-flow-lookup-activity

There, you’ll find everything you need to become a Lookup activity expert.

Step 4: Configure the Agent 🕶️

Configure the Lookup activity to talk to Azure Data Lake Storage. In the “Settings” tab, tell it whether you want the whole JSON party or just a sneak peek (set “First row only” to true).

Step 5: Define the Decoder Ring 🔍

In the “Mappings” tab, create a decoder ring (schema) to understand the language of your JSON file. If you want to stash the loot (data) in a variable, go to the “Output” tab and create one.

Step 6: Launch the Spaceship 🚀

Hit the launch button! Watch as the Lookup activity brings back the JSON treasure and stores it in your secret variable vault.

Why Not Use the Copy Activity? 🤔

You might be wondering why we didn’t opt for the Copy activity. Well, the Copy activity is like a moving truck — great for big data hauls but not as nimble for small tasks. The cool thing about the Lookup activity is it’s designed for these quick, grab-and-go missions. Perfect for when you want to use the data immediately in your next move!

As you continue your data adventure, keep playing with different Azure Data Factory activities. The more you explore, the more tricks you’ll discover!

🌟 Happy data hunting!

Got questions, errors, or just want to share your experience? Drop a comment below! Your engagement is what makes this data journey exciting. Like, share, and let’s build a community of data enthusiasts together! 🚀💬

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Dhruv Singhal
Dhruv Singhal

Written by Dhruv Singhal

Data engineer with expertise in PySpark, SQL, Flask. Skilled in Databricks, Snowflake, and Datafactory. Published articles. Passionate about tech and games.

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