What is Allowed in a Reader Account?

Snowflake Reader Accounts are designed to give you secure, read-only access to specific datasets. While this provides powerful capabilities for data exploration and reporting, there are some important limitations. Below, we outline what’s possible and what’s restricted to help you make the most of your access.

What You Can Do

1. Run Queries to Explore Data
    • Use SQL to query the datasets you have permission to access.
    • Filter, sort, and aggregate data to get the insights you need.
2. View and Export Results
    • View query results directly in the Snowflake web interface.
    • Export data to CSV files for offline analysis or sharing (depending on your organization’s policies).
3. Leverage Pre-Built Views
    • Access pre-built views or datasets prepared by iSeatz.
    • These views may include business logic or aggregated data to simplify your analysis.
4. Connect Business Intelligence (BI) Tools
   • Use tools like Tableau or Power BI to visualize data from Snowflake via the Reader Account, if configured by your organization.

What You Cannot Do

1. Write or Modify Data
    • Reader Accounts are strictly read-only. You cannot insert, update, delete, or create new data or tables.
    • If you need modifications, coordinate with the team managing your organization’s Snowflake environment.
2.  Create or Manage Objects
   • You cannot create new tables, views, or other database objects.
   • Schema changes (e.g., adding columns or indexes) are also not permitted.
3.  Run Administrative Tasks
    • Tasks like managing permissions, configuring integrations, or optimizing performance are outside the scope of Reader Accounts.
   • These are managed by the iSeatz team.
4.  Schedule Jobs
    • Reader Accounts do not support running or scheduling automated jobs or workflows from within the Reader Account itself. For automation, data must flow through other managed systems.
5.  Access Unapproved Data
    • Your access is limited to the datasets and views your organization has approved. If you need additional access, please follow your company’s internal request process.

Why These Limitations Exist

Snowflake Reader Accounts are optimized for secure data sharing:
 • Read-only access ensures data integrity and prevents accidental changes.
 • Controlled permissions allow organizations to manage compliance and security effectively.

If you require functionality outside these limits, consult the iSeatz team to explore potential solutions.

Questions?

If you’re unsure about what’s possible or have specific requirements, reach out to a colleague who manages your relationship with iSeatz.

Understanding these capabilities and limitations will help you use your Snowflake Reader Account effectively and securely!