topic Re: Liquid clustering on partitioned delta table where new data is added by replacing the partition in Data Engineering

Liquid clustering on partitioned delta table where new data is added by replacing the partition

SusmithaBadam — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:00:04 GMT

Hi There,

Currently we have the bronze, silver & gold delta tables partition by a string and yearmonth column, we maintain the entire historic data of 5 years and replace the partitions (latest 2 months) to add the new data.

We use overwrite mode to replace the effected partitions.

Can liquid clustering be applied on these tables? I want to take the advantage of liquid clustering but want to overwrite the effected months only.

Re: Liquid clustering on partitioned delta table where new data is added by replacing the partition

MariuszK — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:07:33 GMT

Hi,

You will need to update the data. Liquid clustering doesn't use physical folders for partitions, which means that you can't just override files in a folder with a partition.

Liquid clastering has its own benefits such incremental optimizalization, or effective data organziataion in files, but to migrate to Liquid clastering you will need to recreate tables.

Re: Liquid clustering on partitioned delta table where new data is added by replacing the partition

szymon_dybczak — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:10:18 GMT

Hi @SusmithaBadam ,

Short answer is no. Liquid Clustering is not compatible with partitioning or ZORDER. So, if you want to use LC you need to first remove partitioning from your tables.

Use liquid clustering for tables - Azure Databricks | Microsoft Learn

Re: Liquid clustering on partitioned delta table where new data is added by replacing the partition

SusmithaBadam — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:19:57 GMT

To take advantage of liquid clustering do I have to change the entire design of table to capture new data? between, which is the preferred mode or approach?

Re: Liquid clustering on partitioned delta table where new data is added by replacing the partition

SusmithaBadam — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 10:00:19 GMT

But by removing the portioning I have to change the approach of capturing new data, is there any preferred way of capturing new data to apply LC?

Re: Liquid clustering on partitioned delta table where new data is added by replacing the partition

jeffrey-gong — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:29:09 GMT

Hi @SusmithaBadam, we are in Private Preview for a new feature that allows you to convert a table from Partitioning to Liquid Clustering. Here is the User Guide. Please reach out to your account team to get enrolled!