# Activate Your Databricks Share

This guide walks you through activating your Dataplex data share in Databricks using Delta Sharing. The process takes approximately 5-10 minutes.

## Prerequisites

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Before you begin, ensure you have:**

* Access to a Databricks workspace with Unity Catalog enabled
* Permission to create catalogs or manage external locations (typically admin or metastore admin role)
* A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
  {% endhint %}

## Overview

Delta Sharing is an open protocol for secure data sharing. When you activate a Dataplex share, you're creating a read-only connection to our data that:

* Stays automatically updated as we refresh the underlying data
* Requires no data copying or ETL processes
* Uses standard SQL for querying
* Integrates natively with Unity Catalog

## Two Ways to Connect

Dataplex supports two connection methods. Choose the one that matches your setup:

| Method                                                                      | Best For                                                         | What You Need                      |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| [**Databricks-to-Databricks (D2D)**](#databricks-to-databricks-d2d-sharing) | Databricks users who provided a sharing identifier during signup | Your Databricks sharing identifier |
| [**Activation File (Open Sharing)**](#activation-file-open-sharing)         | All other users, or if you didn't provide a sharing identifier   | Activation email from Dataplex     |

{% hint style="success" %}
**Not sure which method you're using?** Check your welcome email. If it mentions that your data is "available in your workspace automatically," you're using D2D. If it includes a "Download Activation File" button, you're using Open Sharing.
{% endhint %}

***

## Databricks-to-Databricks (D2D) Sharing

If you provided your **Databricks sharing identifier** when you signed up, your data is shared directly between Databricks workspaces. There's no activation file to download — the data appears in your workspace automatically.

### What is a Sharing Identifier?

A sharing identifier is a unique ID for your Databricks metastore in the format `cloud:region:metastore-uuid` (for example, `azure:eastus:4e9b2149-4f45-44a1-...`). When you provide this during signup, we connect directly to your workspace — no credential files needed.

### Step 1: Open Delta Sharing

Log into your Databricks workspace and navigate to **Catalog** in the left sidebar. Then find **Delta Sharing** and click **Shared with me**.

### Step 2: Find Your Dataplex Shares

You should see one or more shares from Dataplex listed (e.g., `dataplex_cms`, `dataplex_npi`). These are the data products you requested access to.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Don't see any shares?** It may take a few minutes after signup for shares to appear. If they still don't appear after 15 minutes, contact <support@dataplex-consulting.com>.
{% endhint %}

### Step 3: Create a Catalog

Click on a share and select **Create catalog** to make the data queryable in your workspace. Give the catalog a name (e.g., `cms_dwv` or `dataplex_cms`) and click **Create**.

### Step 4: Query Your Data

Open a SQL editor or notebook and start querying:

```sql
-- Example: Verify CMS Data Feeds access
SELECT COUNT(*) as total_feeds FROM cms_dwv.feeds;

-- Example: Verify NPI access
SELECT COUNT(*) as total_providers FROM npi_dwv.providers;
```

{% hint style="success" %}
**That's it!** With D2D sharing, data stays in sync automatically. Skip ahead to [Verify Data Access](#step-7-verify-data-access) for product-specific test queries, or jump to the [Catalog and Schema Reference](#catalog-and-schema-reference) to see what's available.
{% endhint %}

***

## Activation File (Open Sharing)

If you received an **activation email** with a credential file, follow these steps to import your data share.

### Before You Begin: Get Your Activation Email

Before you can activate your data share, you need an activation email from Dataplex. Choose one of these options:

#### Option 1: Start a Free Trial

Visit [trial.dataplex-consulting.com](https://trial.dataplex-consulting.com) to request a 14-day trial. After submitting the form, you'll receive an activation email within minutes.

#### Option 2: Purchase Full Access

Select a data product below to purchase a subscription:

| Data Product               | Records       | Purchase Link                                                                   |
| -------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| CMS Data Feeds Dataset     | 73B+ records  | [Subscribe](https://checkout.dataplex-consulting.com/b/3cIdR2e1J59Sh2w7pWbQY00) |
| FDA FAERS Dataset          | 18M+ events   | [Subscribe](https://checkout.dataplex-consulting.com/b/eVqaEQcXFdGoeUocKgbQY03) |
| FDA MAUDE Dataset          | 14M+ events   | [Subscribe](https://checkout.dataplex-consulting.com/b/aFa4gsg9R8m413yfWsbQY04) |
| CMS NPPES Provider Dataset | 8M+ providers | [Subscribe](https://checkout.dataplex-consulting.com/b/7sY8wI3n5eKs7rW9y4bQY02) |
| CDC Open Data Product      | 1.7B+ records | [Subscribe](https://checkout.dataplex-consulting.com/b/14A6oAcXFfOw13y9y4bQY01) |

After completing payment, you'll receive an activation email within minutes.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Already have your activation email?** Skip to [Step 1: Download the Activation File](#step-1-download-the-activation-file) below.
{% endhint %}

### Step 1: Download the Activation File

Open the activation email from Dataplex and click the **Download Activation File** button. This downloads a credential file (`.share` file) to your computer.

<figure><img src="/files/Sl32irSlF04RE4TbtpoF" alt="Dataplex activation email with Download Activation File button"><figcaption><p>The activation email contains your credential file download link (expires in 24 hours)</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**The download link expires in 24 hours.** If your link has expired, contact <support@dataplex-consulting.com> for a new activation email.
{% endhint %}

### Step 2: Open Databricks Catalog

Log into your Databricks workspace and navigate to the **Catalog** section in the left sidebar.

### Step 3: Access Delta Sharing

In the Catalog view, find **Delta Shares Received** in the catalog list and click the **Manage all shared data** button.

<figure><img src="/files/gNeSPMjsq8L9kJwemK3y" alt="Databricks Catalog showing Delta Shares Received with Manage all shared data button"><figcaption><p>Click "Manage all shared data" to open the Delta Sharing management page</p></figcaption></figure>

### Step 4: Install the Share

On the Delta Sharing page, click the **Install share** button in the top right corner.

<figure><img src="/files/HTWBmBg6oD5LZF6kbDbB" alt="Delta Sharing page with Install share button"><figcaption><p>The Delta Sharing page shows all providers sharing data with your workspace</p></figcaption></figure>

### Step 5: Import Your Credentials

In the **Import using open Delta Sharing credentials** dialog:

1. **Provider name**: Enter a descriptive name for this data provider (e.g., `dataplex_cms`, `dataplex_fda_trial`, or `dataplex_paid`)
2. **Activation credential file**: Drag and drop the `.share` file you downloaded in Step 1, or click **browse** to select it
3. **Description** (optional): Add a note like "CMS trial data" or "FDA production access"
4. Click **Import**

<figure><img src="/files/nsrxHgvMzuhysFnUEjiY" alt="Import Delta Sharing credentials dialog with provider name and file upload"><figcaption><p>Upload the credential file you downloaded from the activation email</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Provider naming tips:**

* Use lowercase with underscores (e.g., `dataplex_cms`)
* Include `trial` or `paid` if you want to distinguish access levels
* You can have multiple providers if you subscribe to different products
  {% endhint %}

### Step 6: Access Your Data

After importing, the provider and its shares will appear in your Delta Sharing list. Click on the provider name to see available shares and catalogs.

The shared data is now available in your Unity Catalog and can be queried immediately.

### Step 7: Verify Data Access

Open a Databricks SQL editor or notebook and run a test query to confirm access:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="CMS Data Feeds" %}

```sql
-- Verify CMS Data Feeds access
SELECT COUNT(*) as total_feeds
FROM cms_dwv.feeds;

-- View sample data
SELECT title, description, view_name
FROM cms_dwv.feeds
LIMIT 10;
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="FDA FAERS Dataset" %}

```sql
-- Verify FDA FAERS access
SELECT COUNT(*) as total_events
FROM fda_faers_dwv.drug__events;

-- View sample adverse events
SELECT safety_report_id, receipt_date, serious
FROM fda_faers_dwv.drug__events
LIMIT 10;
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="CDC Open Data" %}

```sql
-- Verify CDC Open Data access
SELECT COUNT(*) as total_datasets
FROM cdc_dwv.datasets;

-- View available datasets
SELECT name, category, record_count
FROM cdc_dwv.datasets
LIMIT 10;
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**Congratulations!** If your query returns results, you've successfully activated your Dataplex data share. You can now explore the full dataset using the queries in our [Healthcare Data Catalog](/data-catalog/data-catalog.md).
{% endhint %}

## Catalog and Schema Reference

After activation, your data will be available in Unity Catalog with the following structure:

| Data Product               | Catalog         | Schema                    | Example Table                  |
| -------------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| CMS Data Feeds Dataset     | `cms_dwv`       | (tables at catalog level) | `cms_dwv.feeds`                |
| FDA FAERS Dataset          | `fda_faers_dwv` | (tables at catalog level) | `fda_faers_dwv.drug__events`   |
| FDA MAUDE Dataset          | `fda_maude_dwv` | (tables at catalog level) | `fda_maude_dwv.device__events` |
| CMS NPPES Provider Dataset | `nppes_dwv`     | (tables at catalog level) | `nppes_dwv.providers`          |
| CDC Open Data Product      | `cdc_dwv`       | (tables at catalog level) | `cdc_dwv.datasets`             |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Catalog names may vary** depending on what you specified during activation. The examples above use default naming conventions.
{% endhint %}

## Troubleshooting

### "Permission denied" or "Access denied" errors

**Cause:** Your Databricks user account lacks permission to create catalogs or accept shares.

**Solution:**

1. Contact your Databricks workspace administrator
2. Request `CREATE CATALOG` privilege or `metastore admin` role
3. Alternatively, ask an admin to accept the share on your behalf

### Activation link expired

**Cause:** Activation links expire after 7 days for security.

**Solution:**

1. Contact <support@dataplex-consulting.com>
2. Request a new activation link
3. Complete activation within 7 days of receiving the new link

### "Unity Catalog not enabled" error

**Cause:** Your Databricks workspace doesn't have Unity Catalog configured.

**Solution:**

1. Contact your Databricks administrator to enable Unity Catalog
2. Alternatively, create a new workspace with Unity Catalog enabled
3. See [Databricks Unity Catalog documentation](https://docs.databricks.com/data-governance/unity-catalog/index.html) for setup instructions

### Share not appearing in catalog

**Cause:** The share acceptance may not have completed, or you're looking in the wrong catalog.

**Solution:**

1. Go to **Data** in the Databricks sidebar
2. Look for the catalog name you specified during activation
3. If not visible, try refreshing the page
4. Check **Data > Delta Sharing > Shared with me** to see pending shares

### Query returns no results

**Cause:** For trial accounts, data is limited to 1,500 rows per table.

**Solution:**

1. Verify you're querying the correct catalog and table names
2. Remove any restrictive WHERE clauses for initial testing
3. If the table is genuinely empty, contact <support@dataplex-consulting.com>

### "Invalid or expired token" error

**Cause:** The Delta Sharing authentication token has expired or been revoked.

**Solution:**

1. Go to **Data > Delta Sharing > Shared with me**
2. Find the Dataplex share and check its status
3. If expired, contact <support@dataplex-consulting.com> for a new activation link

## Managing Your Share

### Viewing Share Details

To see information about your active shares:

1. Open **Data** in the Databricks sidebar
2. Navigate to **Delta Sharing > Shared with me**
3. Click on the Dataplex share to view details

### Revoking Access

If you no longer need access to a share:

1. Open **Data > Delta Sharing > Shared with me**
2. Find the share you want to remove
3. Click **Remove** to revoke access

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Revoking access is immediate.** Any queries or dashboards using the shared data will stop working. You'll need to request a new activation link to restore access.
{% endhint %}

## Next Steps

Now that your share is activated:

1. **Explore the documentation** - Visit the [Healthcare Data Catalog](/data-catalog/data-catalog.md) for detailed schema information and sample queries
2. **Build your first analysis** - Use the sample queries in each product's documentation as starting points
3. **Set up dashboards** - Connect the shared data to Databricks SQL dashboards for ongoing monitoring
4. **Upgrade to full access** - If you're on a trial, [purchase a subscription](/databricks-access/getting-started/purchase-subscription.md) when ready for production use

***

## Need Help?

Contact our support team at <support@dataplex-consulting.com> for assistance with:

* Activation issues or expired links
* Permission configuration questions
* Data access problems after activation
* Unity Catalog setup guidance

Our team typically responds within 24 hours on business days.


---

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If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.dataplex-consulting.com/databricks-access/getting-started/activate-databricks-share.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.