topic %run command gives error on free edition in Administration & Architecture

%run command gives error on free edition

JonnyData — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:28:00 GMT

Hi,

I'm testing out running one Notebook from another using the %run magic command in the Databricks Free Edition. Just really simple test stuff but get the following error:

Failed to parse %run command: string matching regex '\$[\w_]+' expected but 'p' found. If notebook path contains spaces, wrap with double quotes.

The path doesn't contain spaces and wrapping in double quotes doesn't help, either.

Any suggestions?

Re: %run command gives error on free edition

Advika — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 11:32:53 GMT

Hello @JonnyData!

This parsing error typically appears when the notebook path isn't in the expected format. Could you share the exact %run command you're using?
Also, please ensure the path is a workspace path, either absolute (starting with /) or relative (like ./NotebookName, and both notebooks must be in the same folder).

Re: %run command gives error on free edition

JonnyData — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 11:51:44 GMT

Hi Advika - thanks for this.

In my Workspace I've first created a folder called HolusTest

In there I have 2 Notebooks HolusTest1 which containes the lines:

%run ./HolusTestSetup

print(book_publisher)

and HolusTestSetup, which contains one line

book_publisher = "OReilly"

The language 'default' for both is python and the code's from Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate Study Guide which I'm just working through to give myself a better all round grounding in Databricks.

Thanks in advance for any help

Re: %run command gives error on free edition

Advika — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:42:38 GMT

@JonnyData, it's considered best practice to put %run in a cell by itself. If you include other code (like print(book_publisher)) in the same cell, it may execute before the %run command has finished loading everything.

You can try either of the following approaches:

Split the code across two cells: Use the %run command in one cell and place the print statement in another.
Run selected text: Run only the %run command by selecting it, then execute the print statement.

https://docs.databricks.com/aws/en/notebooks/notebook-workflows#use-run-to-import-a-notebook

Re: %run command gives error on free edition

JonnyData — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:12:19 GMT

Hi Advika,

Thanks for that - it worked a treat!

Cheers

John