Azure Data Factory | Copy multiple tables in Bulk with Lookup & ForEach

With Azure Data Factory Lookup and ForEach activities you can perform dynamic copies of your data tables in bulk within a single pipeline.
In this episode I will show you how to perform bulk copies with ADF.
Source code for demos: github.com/MarczakIO/azure4ev...
In this episode live demo of ADF lookup activity in SQL to Blob export scenario and how to control this using metadata table.
Next steps for you after watching the video
1. ADF bulk copy scenario
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azur...
2. Lookup Activity docs
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azur...
3. ForEach Activity docs
- docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azur...
Want to connect?
- Blog marczak.io/
- Twitter / marczakio
- Facebook / marczakio
- LinkedIn / adam-marczak
- Site azure4everyone.com

[@quyenpn318]

I really really like how you guide step by step like this, it is quite easy to understand. You are the best “trainner” I’ve seen, really appreciated for your time on creating those useful videos.

[@rapchak2]

Cannot thank you enough for your incredibly well laid out, thorough explanations. The world needs more folks like you :)

[@ahmedroberts4883]

Excellent, Excellent video. This has truly cemented the concepts and processes you are explaining in my brain. You are awesome, Adam!

[@albertoarellano1494]

You're the best Adam! Thanks for all the help, been watching your tutorials on ADF and they're very helpful. Keep them coming!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure! Thanks Alberto!

[@rajanarora6655]

Awesome explanation, the way you teach assuming in layman terms is pretty great, thanks!!

[@hollmanalu]

Adam, thanks for all your great video's! I appreciate your work very much! Keep up your great work!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure! Thanks!

[@genniferlyon8577]

Thank you Adam! I had been trying to follow some other written content to do exactly what you showed with no success. Your precise steps and explanation of the process were so helpful. I am successful now.

[@markdransfield9520]

Brilliant teaching style Adam. Very watchable. I particularly like how you explain the background. I've subscribed and will watch more of your videos.

[@elisehunter3424]

Brilliant tutorial. Easy to follow and it all works like a charm. Thank you!!

[@apogeeaor5531]

Thank you, Adam. I rewatch this video at least twice a year, Thank you for all you do.

[@AVADHKISHORE]

Thank you Adam!! These videos are really very helpful and builds the foundation to understand ADF.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure!

[@shaileshsondawale2811]

What a wonderful content you have place in social media.. What a world class personality you... People certainly fall in love with your teaching..

[@gunturulaxmi8037]

Videos are very much clear to the people who would like to learn and practice.Thanks alot.your hard work is appreciated.

[@satishutnal]

You are the example for how teaching should be. Just awesome 👍

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Wow, thank you!

[@pratibhaverma7857]

Your videos are great. This is the best channel on KZbin platform to learn about ADF. THANKS 🙏😊

[@jakirajam]

The way you explain is super Adam. Really nice

[@deoroopnarine6232]

Your videos are awesome man. Gave me a firm grasp and encouraged me to get an azure subscription and play around some more.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

That is amazing to hear! Thank you!

[@xiaobo1134]

Thanks Adam, your tutorials are very useful, hope to see more in the future

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad you like them! Will do more!

[@avicool08]

very simple yet powerful explanation

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad you think so!

[@santanughosal9785]

I was looking for this video. Thanks for making this. It helps a lot. Thanks again.

[@NewMayapur]

fantastic video Adam!! Really helpful to understand the parametrisation in ADF.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Great to hear that!

[@RavinderApril]

Incredibly simplified to learn. .. Great!!

[@pdsqsql1493]

Wow! What Great video, very easy way step by step tutorials and explanations. Well done!

[@sumanthdixit1203]

Fantastic clear-cut explanation. Nice job!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@amtwork5417]

Great video, easy to follow and to the point, really helped me to quickly get up a running with data factory.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it helped!

[@anderschristoffersen2513]

Great and simple walk through, good job Adam

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thank you, I appreciate it! :)

[@amarnadhgunakala2901]

Thanks Adam, I'm waiting like this video on ADF, Please do regularly...

[@AdamMarczakYT]

You got it!

[@maimemphahlele1102]

Hi Adam Ur videos are just too brilliant. This is subscription I wouldn’t mind paying to support. Ur lessons are invaluable to learning.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Awesome, thank you!

[@garciaoscar7611]

This video was really helpful! you have leveled up my Azure skills, Thank you sir, you have gained another subscriber

[@anacarrizo2209]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this! The step-by-step really helped with what I needed to do.

[@paullevingstone4834]

Very professionally demonstrated and very clear to understand. Thank you very much

[@AdamMarczakYT]

It's my pleasure Paul! :)

[@CoolGuy]

You are a legend. Next level editing and explanation

[@waseemmohammed1088]

Thank you so much for the clear and nice explanation, I am new to ADF and learning a lot from your channel

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Great to hear!

[@wouldyoudomeakindnes]

your skills are in the tops thanks, love to see your channel grow

[@AdamMarczakYT]

I appreciate that!

[@ashokveluguri1910]

You are awesome Adam. Thank you so much for detailed explanation.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure!

[@priyankapatel9461]

You have depth knowledge in every service. I learn from scratch using your channel. Keep posting Thanks you and God bless you.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Awesome, thanks!

[@leonkriner3744]

Amazingly simple and informative!

[@radiomanzel8570]

it was so perfect , I was able to follow and copy data in first attempt .thanks

[@eatingnetwork6474]

Thanks Adam, amazing workshop, very clear and easy to follow, thanks for helping, i am wiser now :)

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Perfect! Thank you!

[@naseemmca]

Adam you are just awesome man! The way you are teaching is excellent. Keep it up.. you are the best...

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thanks! 😃

[@amoldesai4605]

I am a beginner in Azure Data Engineering and you made it simple to learn all the tactics.. thanks

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad to hear that!

[@ericsalesdeandrade9420]

Amazing video. Complex topic perfectly explained. Thank you Adam

[@anilchenchu1017]

Awsome adam there cant be a way to explain better than this

[@abhishektrivedi3406]

You're awesome Adam, thanks for such a great tutorial. I also tweeted this video. Thanks.!!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Awesome, thank you!

[@diatprojects7220]

Very well explained. Thank you so much!

[@e2ndcomingsoon655]

Thank you! I really appreciate all you share, it truly helps me

[@Cheyenne9663]

Wow this was explained so well. Thank you!!!

[@Lucas48288]

These tutorials are so useful!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad you like them!

[@jacobklinck8011]

Great session!! Thanks Adam.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure!

[@ivanovdenys]

It is really cool that you make it so simple :)

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thank you! 😊

[@kamalnathvaithinathan5737]

Awesome Adam!! you are the best. Thank you so much

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure! :)

[@Vick-vf8ug]

It is extremely hard to find information online about this topic. Thank you for making it easy!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks!

[@satyabratabarik49]

Great Explanation !!!!

[@sameeranavalkar9352]

Thank you so much for this. It helped a lot

[@eversilver99]

Excellent video and knowledge sharing. Great Job!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mosestes9417]

Really helpful! you made it very easy!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad you think so!

[@dev.gaunau]

Thank you so much for sharing these valued knowledge. It's very helpful for me.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shivangrana02]

You are really best Adam! Your tutorial helped me a lot. Thanks

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Happy to hear that!

[@shivangrana02]

@@AdamMarczakYT You are welcome. Please keep up the good work.

[@nathalielink3869]

Awesome. Thank you so much Adam!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure!

[@TheSQLPro]

Great content, easy to follow!!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad you think so!

[@prasadsv3409]

Realy great stuff sir.this what am looking in youtube

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thanks a ton!

[@ElProgramadorOficial]

Adam, You are the best!. Thanks man!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thank you :)

[@jac94]

Thanks Adam! very clear!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rubensanchez6366]

Very interesting video Adam. I found quite enlightening your idea of storing metadata. probably it could be maintained separately tracking last record loaded so we could use it as an input for delta loads through queries instead of reloading the full table on each run.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

You can either use watermark or change tracking patterns check this out docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/data-factory/tutorial-incremental-copy-overview?WT.mc_id=AZ-MVP-5003556

[@geoj9716]

You are a very good teacher.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thank you! 😃

[@GaneshNaik-lv6jh]

Thank You so much.... Very good explanation, Just Awesome

[@southernfans1499]

👍👍👍 very good explanation.. 👍👍.

[@arjunsaagi590]

Thank you Adam, Very much informatics video

[@AdamMarczakYT]

My pleasure!

[@dataisfun4964]

Thanks, this is beautiful.

[@RajivGuptaEverydayLearning]

Very nice video with good explanation.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad you liked it

[@pavankumars9313]

You are very good 👍 explained well thanks 😊

[@verakso2715]

Thanks for your awesome video, it helped me out a great deal

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad I could help

[@krzysztofrychlik9913]

dzieki! bardzo pomocne filmy!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Dziekoweczka!

[@BACHARBOUAZZA]

Thank you! well done.

[@matthewmark7224]

amazing work. thanks.

[@nalinbuddhika]

Thanks for the vidoes. I am letting the adds runs till the end :)

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Awesome thank you for your support! ♥

[@jozefmelichar5960]

Fine tutorial. Thanks.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ro5ho19]

Thank you! It's under appreciated how important it is to name things something other than "demoDataset", but it makes a big difference both for understanding concepts, and maintainability.

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it was helpful! You are of course correct, if it's not demo then take care of your naming conventions.

[@marvinvicente3138]

Hi Adam, I really appreciate you video. Thanks for your videos! I hope you can also create a video for ODBC as data source.

[@surafeltilahun7404]

Excellent!!!!!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Many thanks! Cheers!

[@alikh1984]

Greate one!

[@MrPadmanabham]

Very good and clear..

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hamzaehsankhan]

BRILLIANT

[@praveensharma-uw8ds]

thanks for the video

[@BijouBakson]

Thank you.

[@pedrovasconcelos3204]

Very Good

[@aks541]

Very well explained & succinct. One request - if possible create a video for loading ADW (Synapse) data-warehouse by ADF

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thanks! I'm waiting for synapse new workspace experience to be released to make video about it ;)

[@leelaagrawal6375]

great teacher

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thank you! 😃

[@gouravjoshi3050]

Good one adam sir .

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thank you :)

[@RobHeim]

Thanks!

[@CoopmanGreg]

... GOLD !!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Awesome!

[@paulh1720]

awesome

[@feliperegis9989]

Hey Adam, awesome work and explanation! Do you have another video explaining how to deal with massive data copies from tables in bulk using ADF and that may resolve issues with maximum data or rows of data? Can you make a video with a demo explaining how to deal with this kind of scenarios that you mentioned that's the story for another day? Thanks a lot in advance!! =D

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thanks. Well, Lookup shouldn't be used for data, but for metadata driven approach, so 5000 rows limit is very good here. It is rare when you will copy over 5000 tables/files with different structure)/etc. If you do you can do different techniques but in those cases I probably would shift approach entirely. Will think about this.

[@vicvic553]

Hey, one thing about English - please guys correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure what I am talking about - you shouldn't say inside a sentence "how does it work", but "what it works". Despite that, the content is awesome!

[@AdamMarczakYT]

You can if you ask a question. "How does it work" is a question structure, not a statement. it should be "how it works" if I'm stating a fact. You wrote "What it works" but I assume that's a typo. It's one of my common mistakes, my English teacher tries to fix it but it is still a common issue for me ;) Thanks for watching!

[@simonscott1121]

Reminds me so much of SSIS.

[@joncrosby1]

Thank you for your great videos, they have been super helpful. I'm working on a proof of concept similar to this video, however it's SQL to Azure SQL. Any links or references you can offer to help me with parameterizing the Azure SQL sink side?

[@veerboot81]

Hi Adam, very nice work this, I made this for a client of mine and found out one important thing: within the For each not all blocks are executed as if they are working together atomically. What I mean is that if you start two thinks in parallel using the For Each block and within the for each block you have two blocks - say block A and B - connected using parameters (item()) within these blocks say X and Y. Block A starting with item X will not necessarily be using the item X in block B although connected! So I want to suggest one extra advice to use only one block in a For Each block at max if using parameterazed block within or if you need more than one block start a separate pipeline within the For Each block which will have the multiple blocks. These pipelines will be started as separate childs and to the work in the correct order. With kind regards, Jeroen

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Hey, not sure I understood what you meant here. Using parameters is not making any connection between the actions.

[@veerboot81]

@@AdamMarczakYT I'm using a for each loop to load tables with dynamic statements, if I need more than one block (like a logging call to sl server, a copy block to load the data and a logging block after being done with loading these blocks can be in the for each loop itself, but if you start in parallel multiple times different load of tables the blocks will not follow each other sequencially, but will be running through each other, so the logging will not belong to the copy block for example. I will see if I can make an example if I find the time. To solve this I start always another pipeline within the for each and put the blocks in this pipeline. This will create child pipelines in the for each loop ensuring the right order of execution of the blocks (logging start, copy and logging end)

[@sunnygoswami5358]

Amazing explanation Adam! Thank you for this! qq- Can the For Each activity run things concurrently? i.e. in this example, can it pass the 3 table_name, schema_name values to the Copy Data activity at the same time?

[@vinayrajm.u847]

very nice

[@AdamMarczakYT]

Thanks

[@donovan6094]

Super cool video sir. You are my priority to search about azure after stackoverflow LOL. Sir, how about the cost ? Is it better using loop or paralel. Coz using loop it makes you have extra running time.