Databricks releases, every cloud

1. Standard performance mode is now available for one-time runs in the Jobs API

   Sets performance_target to STANDARD. Supports Apache Airflow's DatabricksSubmitRunOperator.

   #Lakeflow#Serverless
   AWS, read it on their docsAzure, read it on their docsGCP, read it on their docsSAP(unknown) Sep 11, 2026
2. External secrets in Unity Catalog (Beta)

   Connects Unity Catalog schema to AWS Secrets Manager, appearing as read-only objects.

   #Security#Unity Catalog
   AWS, read it on their docsAzure, read it on their docsGCP(not on this cloud)SAP(unknown) Sep 9, 2026
3. ABAC DENY policies are in Beta

   Explicitly deny MANAGE ACCESS CONTROL privilege, taking precedence over grants.

   #Security#Unity Catalog
   AWS, read it on their docsAzure, read it on their docsGCP, read it on their docsSAP(unknown) Sep 8, 2026
4. Databricks SQL version 2026.36 is rolling out in Current

   It includes features from version 2026.32.

   #Databricks SQL
   AWS, read it on their docsAzure, read it on their docsGCP, read it on their docsSAP(unknown) Sep 8, 2026
5. See which chunks support each ai_search answer (Beta)

   Added generate_citations option to show supporting chunks.

   #Databricks AI#Databricks SQL
   AWS, read it on their docsAzure, read it on their docsGCP, read it on their docsSAP(unknown) Sep 8, 2026
6. time_bucket SQL function aligns timestamps to fixed-width time buckets

   Replaces date_trunc for non-calendar units, requires origin and width parameters.

   #Databricks SQL
   AWS, read it on their docsAzure, read it on their docsGCP, read it on their docsSAP(unknown) Sep 8, 2026
7. Run the change, do not just read it. Hands-on labs in your own Databricks workspace, graded when you submit. Browse labs

Headlines, dates and product areas are Databricks' own, and every item links to the note it came from. The one-line summaries are ours.