Databricks SQL version 2025.25 is now available in the Preview channel. Review the following section to learn about new features and behavioral changes.
Recursive common table expressions (rCTE) are generally available
Recursive common table expressions (rCTEs) are generally available. Navigate hierarchical data using a self-referencing CTE with UNION ALL to follow the recursive relationship.
Support for schema and catalog level default collation
You can now set a default collation for schemas and catalogs. This allows you to define a collation that applies to all objects created within the schema or catalog, ensuring consistent collation behavior across your data.
Support for Spatial SQL expressions and GEOMETRY and GEOGRAPHY data types
You can now store geospatial data in built-in GEOMETRY and GEOGRAPHY columns for improved performance of spatial queries. This release adds more than 80 new spatial SQL expressions, including functions for importing, exporting, measuring, constructing, editing, validating, transforming, and determining topological relationships with spatial joins. See ST geospatial functions, GEOGRAPHY type, and GEOMETRY type.
Support for schema and catalog level default collation …