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Include External File Format

Determines if the External File Format statement is included in the generated SSDT Project.

When enabled and a Default External File Format statement is configured, a DefaultExternalFileFormat.sql script is written under {Database}\External Resources\External File Formats in the generated project, for each database that contains external table objects. An existing script file is only overwritten when Overwrite External Table Defaults is enabled, so a manually adjusted file format is preserved across builds.

When to Change This Setting​

Keep the default N when external file formats are managed outside the SSDT project. Enable it for external-table (PolyBase-style) staging solutions where the deployment should create the file format the external tables are defined with.

SettingInteraction
Default External File FormatThe SQL statement written to the included script
Include External TablesIncludes the external table definitions that use the file format
Include External Data SourceThe companion external data source script
Overwrite External Table DefaultsControls whether an existing script is overwritten

Notes​

  • This setting is part of the SSDT settings category.
  • The default value for this setting is N.