Table storage basics in Azure - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

Storing data in tables helps organize information in rows and columns without complex databases. Azure Table Storage lets you save lots of simple data with fast access and low cost.

When you want to save user preferences for a web app without a full database.

When you need to log events or telemetry data quickly and cheaply.

When you want to store product catalog information with flexible schema.

When you want to keep session state data for a web application.

When you need a simple key-value store that scales easily.

Config File - azure_table_storage_policy.json

azure_table_storage_policy.json

{
  "Version": "2012-10-17",
  "Statement": [
    {
      "Effect": "Allow",
      "Action": [
        "TableService.QueryEntities",
        "TableService.AddEntity",
        "TableService.UpdateEntity",
        "TableService.DeleteEntity"
      ],
      "Resource": "https://myaccount.table.core.windows.net/mytable"
    }
  ]
}

This JSON file defines permissions for accessing an Azure Table Storage table named mytable in the storage account myaccount. It allows querying, adding, updating, and deleting entities in the table.

Commands

Create a new Azure Storage account named mystorageaccount in the resource group myResourceGroup located in eastus region. This account will hold the table storage.

Terminal

az storage account create --name mystorageaccount --resource-group myResourceGroup --location eastus --sku Standard_LRS

Expected Output

{

  "id": "/subscriptions/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000/resourceGroups/myResourceGroup/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/mystorageaccount",

  "location": "eastus",

  "name": "mystorageaccount",

  "resourceGroup": "myResourceGroup",

  "sku": {

    "name": "Standard_LRS"

  },

  "type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts"

}

→

--sku - Defines the replication and performance tier of the storage account

→

--location - Specifies the Azure region where the account is created

Create a new table named mytable inside the mystorageaccount storage account. Tables organize data in rows and columns.

Terminal

az storage table create --name mytable --account-name mystorageaccount

Expected Output

Created table mytable

→

--name - Specifies the name of the table to create

→

--account-name - Specifies which storage account to use

Insert a new entity (row) into the mytable table with PartitionKey 'users' and RowKey '001'. This entity has properties Name and Age.

Terminal

az storage entity insert --table-name mytable --entity PartitionKey=users RowKey=001 Name=Alice Age=30 --account-name mystorageaccount

Expected Output

No output (command runs silently)

→

--table-name - Specifies the table to insert the entity into

→

--entity - Defines the key-value pairs for the entity's properties

Retrieve and display the entity with PartitionKey 'users' and RowKey '001' from the mytable table.

Terminal

az storage entity show --table-name mytable --partition-key users --row-key 001 --account-name mystorageaccount

Expected Output

{

  "PartitionKey": "users",

  "RowKey": "001",

  "Timestamp": "2024-06-01T12:00:00Z",

  "Name": "Alice",

  "Age": 30

}

→

--partition-key - Specifies the partition key of the entity to retrieve

→

--row-key - Specifies the row key of the entity to retrieve

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: Azure Table Storage stores data as simple rows identified by PartitionKey and RowKey for fast and scalable access.

Common Mistakes

Using the same RowKey within a PartitionKey for multiple entities

RowKey must be unique within a PartitionKey; duplicates cause insert failures or overwrite data.

Ensure each entity has a unique combination of PartitionKey and RowKey.

Not specifying the storage account name in commands

Azure CLI commands need the storage account to know where to apply the operation; missing it causes errors.

Always include --account-name with the correct storage account in your commands.

Trying to create a table with invalid characters or names

Table names must follow Azure naming rules; invalid names cause creation to fail.

Use only letters, numbers, and no special characters in table names.

Summary

Create an Azure Storage account to hold your tables.

Create a table inside the storage account to organize your data.

Insert entities with unique PartitionKey and RowKey to store rows.

Retrieve entities by specifying their PartitionKey and RowKey.