# Connecting to Databricks > This topic describes how to import data into a Databricks cluster, and how to use Live Connect. Sisense enables easy and quick access to databases, tables and views contained within Databricks. *Source: https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/connecting-to-databricks.htm* --- Last updated: June 10, 2026 | | | | --- | --- | | [Tier](https://www.sisense.com/pricing/#pricing) | [Deployment](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/introduction-to-sisense-cloud-managed-services.md#ComparisonofManagedCloudandSelfHosted) | | Launch     Grow    Enterprise | Cloud     On-Prem | This topic describes how to import data into a Databricks cluster, and how to use [Live Connect](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/live-connect.md). Sisense enables easy and quick access to databases, tables and views contained within Databricks. Databricks is pre-installed and enabled by default. To connect to your Databricks cluster, you need to provide a connection string that identifies the Databricks cluster you are connecting to, and that database's credentials. To create a connection string, see [Databricks JDBC drivers](https://docs.databricks.com/integrations/bi/jdbc-odbc-bi.html#id31). You can then import your data into a Sisense ElastiCube or connect your data to a Sisense Live model. [Importing Into a Sisense ElastiCube](#) **To import Databricks data**: 1. In the Data page, open an ElastiCube or click ![+Elasticube](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/+Elasticube.png) to create a new ElastiCube. 2. In the Model Editor, click ![+Data](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/+Data.png). The Choose Connector window is displayed. ![ConnMgmtChooseConnector](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/connMgmtChooseConnector.png) 3. Choose an available [managed connection](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/data-source-connection-management.md#AccessingandManagingAvailableConnections), or create a [new connection](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/data-source-connection-management.md#CreatingNewConnections), for **Databricks**. The Databricks area is displayed. ![Databricks](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/databricks_3_1063x777.png) 4. In Connection String, enter your connection string to your Databricks cluster. To retrieve the connection string, see [Retrieve the JDBC Connection String](https://docs.databricks.com/en/integrations/jdbc/authentication.html). 1. In the Password field, enter your Databricks personal access token as the password. See [Generate a Personal Access Token](https://docs.databricks.com/en/dev-tools/auth/pat.html#databricks-personal-access-tokens-for-workspace-users). 2. For information about the Schema and Dynamic Schema functionality, see [Managing Live Dynamic Connections](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/managing-live-dynamic-connections.md#DynamicSchemaSupport). 3. Click **Next**. All tables and views associated with Databricks are displayed. 5. From the Tables list, select the relevant table or view you want to work with. You can click ![8 5magnifyingglass](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/8-5magnifyingglass2.png) next to the relevant table or view to see a preview of the data inside it. When you select the table or view, a new option is displayed at the bottom of the list, **Add Import Query**. 6. (Optional) Click **+** to customize the data you want to import with SQL. For more information, see [Importing Data with Custom Queries](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/importing-data-with-custom-queries.md). 7. After you have selected all the relevant tables, click **Done**. The tables are added to your schema. [Connecting Data to a Sisense Live Model](#) **To import Databricks data:** 1. In the Data page, open a live model or click ![8-5livebutton1.png](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/+Live.png) to create a new live model. 2. In the Model Editor, click ![+Data](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/+Data.png). The Add Data dialog box is displayed. 3. In the Add Data dialog box, select **Databricks**. ![Image](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/image-1652613969493.png) The Connector page appears. ![Databricks](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/databricks_3_1063x777.png) 4. In Connection String, enter your connection string to your Databricks cluster. To retrieve the connection string, see [Retrieve the JDBC Connection String](https://docs.databricks.com/en/integrations/jdbc/authentication.html). 1. In the Password field, enter your Databricks personal access token as the password. See [Generate a Personal Access Token](https://docs.databricks.com/en/dev-tools/auth/pat.html#databricks-personal-access-tokens-for-workspace-users). 2. For information about the Schema and Dynamic Schema functionality, see [Managing Live Dynamic Connections](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/managing-live-dynamic-connections.md#DynamicSchemaSupport). 3. Click **Next**. All tables and views associated with Databricks are displayed. 5. From the Tables list, select the relevant table or view you want to work with. You can click ![8 5magnifyingglass](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/8-5magnifyingglass2.png) next to the relevant table or view to see a preview of the data inside it. When you select the table or view, a new option is displayed at the bottom of the list, **Add Import Query**. 6. Click **Done**. The tables are added to your schema. [Best Practice Databricks Configuration for Live Connection Sisense Interaction](#) By default, Databricks shuts down after a period of inactivity. When a query arrives that must be processed, it can take a long time for the Databricks to start up and process the query. This can result in a connection timeout, or a long delay for the first incoming query to get the query result. For your Databricks to be available in real time, it is best practice for the Databricks administrator to: - Use a serverless SQL endpoint. See [Serverless SQL Endpoints](https://docs.databricks.com/sql/admin/sql-endpoints.html#convert-a-classic-sql-warehouse-to-a-serverless-sql-endpoint). - Use the Start API to automatically turn on the Databricks cluster for peak usage. See [Start API](https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/api/latest/clusters.html#start). - Increase the query timeout of the Databricks model, to allow Databricks to successfully reload and return results. See [Configure Automatic Termination](https://docs.databricks.com/clusters/clusters-manage.html#configure-automatic-termination).