Unable to Connect to Azure SQL Database from Fabric Notebook Using Workspace Managed Identity

[navakanth_DE]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently facing issues when trying to connect to an Azure SQL Database from a Microsoft Fabric notebook using Workspace Managed identity. The database is configured for private network access only.

Interestingly, I was able to connect successfully using a Fabric pipeline copy activity, leveraging the workspace managed identity. However, the same approach doesn’t seem to work from within the notebook environment.

Just wanted to check if anyone has successfully connected to Azure SQL DB from a Fabric notebook under similar constraints — especially when using managed identity . Any guidance or best practices would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[spaceman127]

Hello @navakanth_DE,

Workspace Identity authentication from a Fabric Notebook is not currently supported.
I hope that this will soon be the case.

This means that only user authentication is currently possible. So you need to add your user to the Azure SQL Database, then it would work.

The situation is different for a data pipeline in Microsoft Fabric, where it works.

Here is some more documentation on what Workspace Identity can currently be used for.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/security/workspace-identity-authenticate

Best regards

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @navakanth_DE ,

Thanks for raising this in Microsoft Fabric Community.

As already mentioned by @spaceman127 , Workspace Identity authentication from a Fabric notebook is not currently supported. At this point, only user authentication works when connecting from a notebook, while pipelines support Workspace Identity as you have already seen.

There is also an idea logged by the community to support running notebooks with Workspace Identity here:
Run notebook as Workspace Identity - Microsoft Fabric Community

I encourage you to upvote this idea so it gains more visibility with the product team.

Hope this helps. Please reach out for further assistance.

Thank you.