Creating Database in Snowflake: A Step-by-Step Guide

You can create a database in Snowflake using either the web UI or the CREATE DATABASE DDL statement.

The following users or roles can create a database:

Only users with the CREATE DATABASE privilege can create databases in Snowflake. By default, only the SYSADMIN role has this privilege.
The ACCOUNTADMIN role is the highest-privileged role in Snowflake and has all privileges, including the CREATE DATABASE privilege.

Roles types in Snowflake

Here are the steps on how to create a database using the Snowflake web UI:

Step-1: Log In to your Snowflake account using your credentials.

Step-2: Click on the Data tab, then select Databases.

Note: Before creating the database, ensure that you have selected an appropriate role.

Step-3: Click on the + Database button.

Create Database in snowflake

Step-4: Assign a database name and provide a comment if you would like.

Enter a Database name and comment

Step-5: Database created successfully.

To create a database in Snowflake using SQL, follow the steps below.

Step-1: Add a new SQL Worksheet.

Step-2: Write the SQL statements below and execute them one by one. See the two different ways to create a database in Snowflake

CREATE DATABASE DEVDBSQL1;

OR

CREATE OR REPLACE DATABASE DEVDBSQL2
COMMENT = 'This is my DEV DB 2 for testing'
DATA_RETENTION_TIME_IN_DAYS = 30;

Note:

CREATE OR REPLACE DATABASE: This part of the command specifies that you want to create a new database or replace an existing one if it already exists. If a database with the same name already exists, it will be replaced with the new configuration.
Database name: Must be unique for your account and must start with an alphabetic character. Cannot contain spaces or special characters unless the entire identifier string is enclosed in double quotes.
Comment: An optional description of the database.
Data retention time in days: Optional, The number of days for which data in the database will be retained before being automatically deleted.

Step-2: See the screenshot below for your reference.

Create DB in Snowflake

Step-3: Afterward, you can verify the creation of databases by executing a query to view a list of databases:

SHOW DATABASES;

Show the list of databases snowflake

Thank you for reading this post, and I hope you enjoyed it!