Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Synapse Serverless SQL, which can query blob storage directly using the OPENROWSET function to read text files like your log data. This service treats your files as an external data source, allowing you to run standard T-SQL queries against them without moving or loading the data into a database. On the DP-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of which Azure service handles ad-hoc, serverless querying of files in storage—a common scenario for log analysis. A frequent trap is confusing Azure Synapse Serverless SQL with Azure Stream Analytics, but remember that Stream Analytics is for real-time streaming, not batch queries over historical date ranges. Another pitfall is thinking Azure Data Lake Storage itself can query files, but it is purely a storage layer. For a quick memory tip, think “OPENROWSET opens rowsets from files” to link the technical concept with the service name.
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe considerations for working with non-relational data on azure. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are storing log files from multiple applications in Azure Blob Storage. Each log file is a text file with timestamp data. You need to query logs for a specific date range using SQL. Which Azure service can query these files directly?
Azure Stream Analytics
Why wrong: Stream Analytics is for real-time streaming, not batch query.
Azure Data Lake Storage
Why wrong: Data Lake Storage is a storage service, not a query engine.
Azure Synapse Serverless SQL
Serverless SQL can query files in Blob Storage using T-SQL.
Azure Analysis Services
Why wrong: Analysis Services is for OLAP models, not direct file query.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Synapse Serverless SQL
Option B is correct because Azure Synapse Serverless SQL can query text files in Blob Storage using OPENROWSET. Option A is wrong because Azure Stream Analytics is for real-time streaming, not batch query. Option C is wrong because Azure Analysis Services is for semantic models. Option D is wrong because Azure Data Lake Storage is storage, not query.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Stream Analytics
Why it's wrong here
Stream Analytics is for real-time streaming, not batch query.
Azure Data Lake Storage
Why it's wrong here
Data Lake Storage is a storage service, not a query engine.
Azure Synapse Serverless SQL
Why this is correct
Serverless SQL can query files in Blob Storage using T-SQL.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Analysis Services
Why it's wrong here
Analysis Services is for OLAP models, not direct file query.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Identify which DP-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure — This question tests Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Synapse Serverless SQL — Option B is correct because Azure Synapse Serverless SQL can query text files in Blob Storage using OPENROWSET. Option A is wrong because Azure Stream Analytics is for real-time streaming, not batch query. Option C is wrong because Azure Analysis Services is for semantic models. Option D is wrong because Azure Data Lake Storage is storage, not query.
Identify which DP-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DP-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-900 exam.
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