Databricks releases, every cloud
- Databricks Runtime 19: September 21, 2026
It supports truncate and trim_array functions in SQL and DataFrame APIs. Session environment variables are set using spark.pythonWorkerEnv.
- Metastore-level ABAC policies are in Beta
Applies across every catalog in the metastore. Replaces per-catalog policy setup.
- VARIANT cast extends to ARRAY and MAP columns in ABAC column masks
Requires Databricks Runtime 19 or above. Supports ARRAY and MAP in addition to STRUCT.
- Data Classification now scans Unity Catalog views (Beta)
Scans Unity Catalog views in addition to tables, using the same detection engine, and is currently in Beta.
- The READ METADATA privilege will soon be available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled Coming soon
Grants read-only visibility into object metadata, including security-sensitive information.
- The counter_diff SQL window function is now available
Calculates differences between consecutive cumulative counter values, available in Databricks Runtime 19 and above.
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- Window measures on a numeric index column in metric views
Supports unitless offset and ranges on consecutive integer columns, useful for non-calendar periods like fiscal weeks.
- External secrets in Unity Catalog (Beta)
Connects Unity Catalog schema to AWS Secrets Manager, appearing as read-only objects.
- ABAC DENY policies are in Beta
Explicitly deny MANAGE ACCESS CONTROL privilege, taking precedence over grants.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.36 is rolling out in Current
It includes features from version 2026.32.
- See which chunks support each ai_search answer (Beta)
Added generate_citations option to show supporting chunks.
- time_bucket SQL function aligns timestamps to fixed-width time buckets
Replaces date_trunc for non-calendar units, requires origin and width parameters.
- Automatic change data feed is now generally available
Requires Databricks Runtime 19 or above with row tracking enabled. Makes MERGE and UPDATE operations about 15% faster.
- Databricks Runtime 19: September 1, 2026
Auto CDF requires Databricks Runtime 19 or above with row tracking enabled. It makes MERGE and UPDATE operations about 15% faster.
- Databricks Runtime maintenance updates (09/01)
Includes bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements for versions 13.3 to 18.2.
- ABAC GRANT policies are generally available for models and services
Replaces individual privilege grants with governed tag matching.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.36 is now available in Preview
It includes features from version 2026.32.
- Unity Catalog Skills (Beta)
Publishes and governs agent skills, controlling access with Unity Catalog permissions.
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- Databricks Runtime 19: August 24, 2026
Updates Java to Zulu21.52+15-CA and upgrades Jackson libraries to version 2.22.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.32 is rolling out in Current
It is available in the Current channel and includes new features.
- Secrets in Unity Catalog will soon be available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled Coming soon
Replaces manual enablement, uses catalog.schema.secret namespace.
- The INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE privileges are in Beta
Require Databricks Runtime 18.1 or above, alternative to MODIFY privilege.
- Context attributes in ABAC column mask and row filter policies (Beta)
Targets request context, such as OAuth client ID and on-behalf-of status, in Unity Catalog policies.
- Role-based access control (RBAC) is generally available
Requires account and workspace admin setup. Enables exclusive access to sensitive data.
- Role-based access control (RBAC) will soon be available by default for workspaces with the compliance security profile enabled Coming soon
Lets users assume a role with exclusive permissions, replacing accumulated permissions.
- Identity attributes in ABAC column mask policies (Beta)
Targets users by attributes like department or country, using has_identity_attribute_value and has_identity_attribute_tag_match functions.
- Upcoming deprecation of the data quality monitoring downstream_impact column Coming soon
Deprecation starts September 7, 2026, and the column will no longer be populated after rollout.
- Upcoming deprecation of the data quality monitoring root_cause_analysis column Coming soon
Deprecation starts August 18, 2026, and the column will no longer be populated after rollout.
- Tags page in Governance Hub (Beta)
Provides a centralized view of tag usage, summarizes governed tags, and offers recommendations for invalid values. Requires account admins to enable from Previews page.
- Define business concepts with Pages (Beta)
Gives business terms a single governed definition, part of Unity Catalog semantics.
- Databricks SQL version 2026.32 is now available in Preview
It includes the is_valid_variant function and supports REPLACE USING and REPLACE ON clauses with INSERT INTO.
- REPLACE USING flows for standalone streaming tables (Beta)
Replaces rows matching specified key columns, requires SEQUENCE BY column.
- Unity Catalog ABAC GRANT policies support more securable types in Beta
Now supports model services, model provider services, MCP services, and agent services, in addition to models.
- Alert system tables are in Public Preview
Contains alerts and alert_evaluation_history tables for auditing and monitoring.
- Databricks Runtime 19: August 10, 2026
It supports collect_union and evaluates HAVING before window functions.
- READ METADATA privilege is GA
Provides read-only visibility into security-sensitive metadata, including privilege grants and ABAC policies.
- Change data feed on materialized views (Beta)
Requires Databricks Runtime 18 LTS or above. Enables replication to external destinations.
- Tag automations (Beta)
Assigns or removes governed tags on Unity Catalog tables or volumes based on defined conditions.
- Databricks Runtime maintenance updates (08/04)
Includes bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements for versions 13.3 to 18.2.
- Schema-level HTTP connections in Unity Catalog are now generally available
Creates connections inside a schema, inheriting its privileges, instead of only at metastore level.
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