Impact of deleting workspace on associated catalogs

[HoussemBL]

Hello Community,

I have a specific scenario regarding Unity Catalog and workspace deletion that I'd like to clarify:

Current Setup:

• Two DataBricks workspaces: W1 and W2
• Single Unity Catalog instance
• Catalog1: Created in W1, shared and accessible in W2
• Catalog2: Created and used only in W2

My Question: What happens to Catalog1 if I delete workspace W1 (where it was originally created)?

Specifically:

• Will Catalog1 remain accessible in W2?
• Are there any implications for the data and metadata?

I want to ensure we understand the implications before proceeding with any workspace deletion to prevent any data access issues.

[Alberto_Umana · Accepted solution]

Hi @HoussemBL 

When you delete a Databricks workspace, it does not directly impact the Unity Catalog or the data within it. Unity Catalog is a separate entity that manages data access and governance across multiple workspaces. Here’s what happens in your specific scenario:

1. Catalog1 Accessibility: If you delete workspace W1, Catalog1 will remain accessible in W2. Unity Catalog is designed to be a centralized governance solution, and the deletion of a workspace does not delete the catalog or its metadata. As long as the Unity Catalog instance itself is not deleted, the data and metadata within Catalog1 will remain intact and accessible from other workspaces that have been granted access, such as W2.