---
title: "Configuring Databricks Data Sources"
canonical: "https://ai-docs.certero.com/space/CXCM/230162477/Configuring%20Databricks%20Data%20Sources"
format: markdown
---
This guide explains how to connect your Databricks account to CerteroX for cost management. The integration uses the Databricks Account API to collect billable usage data (DBU consumption) across your workspaces.

> **Important:** CerteroX requires a service principal with **account admin** status. Databricks billing is in USD only — your CerteroX Space currency must be set to USD.

---

## Step 1: Find Your Account ID

1. Sign in to the [Databricks account console](https://accounts.cloud.databricks.com).
2. Click your **account favicon** in the upper-right corner.
3. Copy your **Account ID** from the menu that appears.

> **Note:** You must be in the **account console** to retrieve the account ID. The ID will not display from within a workspace.

---

## Step 2: Create a Service Principal

A service principal provides CerteroX with programmatic access to your Databricks account.

1. In the Databricks account console, navigate to **User management** > **Service principals**.
2. Click **Add service principal**.
3. Enter a name (e.g. `CerteroX`).
4. Click **Add**.

---

## Step 3: Grant Account Admin Role

The service principal requires account admin status to access billable usage data.

1. In the Databricks account console, navigate to **User management** > **Service principals**.
2. Select the service principal you created in Step 2.
3. On the **Roles** tab, enable the **Account admin** role.

---

## Step 4: Generate OAuth Credentials

CerteroX authenticates using OAuth client credentials (client ID and client secret).

1. In the Databricks account console, navigate to **User management** > **Service principals**.
2. Select the service principal you created in Step 2.
3. Go to the **OAuth secrets** section.
4. Click **Generate secret**.
5. Copy both the **Client ID** and **Client Secret** values.

> **Important:** The client secret is only shown once at creation time. Copy it before closing the dialog.

---

## Step 5: Create the Databricks Data Source in CerteroX

1. Log in to CerteroX and navigate to **Settings** > **Data Sources**.
2. Click **Actions** and select **Add**.
3. Select **Databricks**.
4. Fill in the following fields:

| Field | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Name** | Yes | A meaningful name to identify this data source (e.g. "Databricks Production"). |
| **Account ID** | Yes | Your Databricks account ID from Step 1. |
| **Client ID** | Yes | The OAuth client ID generated in Step 4. |
| **Client Secret** | Yes | The OAuth client secret generated in Step 4. |

5. Click the **Connect** button.

---

## Step 6: Verify the Connection

1. Return to **Settings** > **Data Sources** in CerteroX.
2. Click on your Databricks data source.
3. Check the **Status** indicator — it should show as connected.
4. Navigate to the **Advanced** tab to view detailed data ingestion information.

> **Note:** Initial cost data may take up to one hour to appear while CerteroX queries and processes your Databricks usage data.

---

## What Data is Collected

CerteroX downloads billable usage logs from the Databricks Account API. These logs contain per-cluster DBU (Databricks Unit) consumption, which CerteroX converts to costs using standard list prices for each SKU.

Data collected includes:

- **Cluster-level usage** — DBU consumption per cluster, including cluster name, ID, node type, and owner.
- **SKU breakdown** — Usage categorised by compute type (All-Purpose, Jobs, SQL, DLT, Serverless, etc.).
- **Workspace attribution** — Usage attributed to individual workspaces within the account.
- **Cluster tags** — Custom tags applied to clusters are preserved for cost allocation.

Costs are calculated as **DBUs x SKU list price**. CerteroX includes default pricing for Standard, Premium, and Enterprise tier SKUs. Custom SKU prices can be configured via the cost model if your contracted rates differ from list prices.

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## Troubleshooting

| Error | Cause | Resolution |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Account admin status required for service principal | Service principal lacks the account admin role | Enable the **Account admin** role on the service principal in the account console (see Step 3). |
| Account currency doesn't match organization currency | Databricks bills in USD but the CerteroX Space uses a different currency | Ensure your CerteroX Space currency is set to **USD**. |
| Invalid client ID or secret | Incorrect or revoked OAuth credentials | Verify the client ID and regenerate the secret if needed in the account console (see Step 4). |