> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tonic.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/setting-up-your-database/snowflake/before-you-create-a-snowflake-workspace/azure-access-for-the-azure-blob-storage-account.md).

# Azure - Access for the Azure Blob Storage account

For Snowflake on Azure, Structural uses an Azure storage account to load and unload data to and from Azure Blob Storage.

In the workspace configuration, you provide the storage location, account name, and the authentication.

For the authentication, you can either:

* On a self-hosted instance, set the access key for the storage account as the value of the [environment setting](/app/admin/environment-variables-setting.md) `TONIC_AZURE_BLOB_STORAGE_ACCOUNT_KEY`. The access key is available from the storage account portal under **Access keys**.
* Provide the storage account key manually.
* Use a service principal. If you use a service principal, then they must be assigned the Storage Blob Data Contributor role in Azure. For more information, go to the [Azure documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/built-in-roles/storage#storage-blob-data-contributor).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.tonic.ai/app/setting-up-your-database/snowflake/before-you-create-a-snowflake-workspace/azure-access-for-the-azure-blob-storage-account.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.