| name | snowflake-create-file-format |
| description | Consult Snowflake CREATE FILE FORMAT parameter reference before generating any CREATE FILE FORMAT DDL. |
Before writing a CREATE FILE FORMAT statement:
- Read
references/parameters.md to review all available parameters and their defaults.
- For each parameter, decide whether the user's request implies a non-default value.
- Include only the parameters that differ from the default or that the user explicitly requested — do not bloat the DDL with unnecessary clauses.
- Never use
CREATE OR REPLACE — always use CREATE FILE FORMAT IF NOT EXISTS.
- Always specify the
TYPE parameter explicitly, even though CSV is the default, to make the format self-documenting.
- For CSV formats, pay special attention to
FIELD_OPTIONALLY_ENCLOSED_BY, NULL_IF, SKIP_HEADER, and COMPRESSION — these are the most commonly customized options.
- AVRO, ORC, and XML formats are for loading only; do not use them for unloading.
- Do not combine
OR REPLACE and IF NOT EXISTS in the same statement — they are mutually exclusive.