SnowConvert AI - Preview Features Settings¶

Preview Features Settings¶

The Preview Features Settings in SnowConvert AI allow you to enable conversions that utilize Snowflake Public Preview features. By entering any of the available flags in the textbox, SnowConvert AI can generate code that takes advantage of Snowflake features that are currently in public preview status, rather than being limited to only generally available (GA) Snowflake features.

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Warning

Preview features are Snowflake features that are available for evaluation and testing purposes but are not yet generally available (GA). They should not be used in production systems. For more details about Snowflake preview features, see the Snowflake Preview Terms of Service.

Understanding Snowflake Preview Features¶

Snowflake Public Preview features are new capabilities that have been implemented and tested in Snowflake but may not have complete usability or corner-case handling. When you enable preview features in SnowConvert AI, the conversion process can generate code that uses these preview features when they provide better conversion results.

How to Use Preview Features¶

  1. Enable in SnowConvert AI: Enter any of the available flags in the textbox within the Preview Features Settings to allow SnowConvert AI to generate code using Snowflake preview features

  2. Enable in Snowflake: Ensure that preview features are enabled in your Snowflake account using system functions like SYSTEM_ENABLE_PREVIEW_ACCESS

  3. Test thoroughly: Always test the converted code in a non-production Snowflake environment when using preview features

Important Considerations¶

  • Snowflake account compatibility: Your Snowflake account must have preview features enabled to use the generated code

  • Feature stability: Snowflake preview features may change behavior or be removed in future Snowflake releases

  • Production restrictions: Code using preview features should not be deployed to production Snowflake environments

  • Documentation: SnowConvert AI may add comments indicating when preview features are being used

Accessing Preview Features Settings¶

To configure preview features in SnowConvert AI:

  1. Navigate to the Conversion Settings section in the SnowConvert AI interface

  2. Select the Preview Features tab or section

  3. Enter any of the available flags in the textbox to allow SnowConvert AI to use Snowflake preview features. Please be sure that each flag is spelled correctly; if any flag is misspelled, all flags will be ignored during conversion.

  4. Proceed with conversion - SnowConvert AI will automatically use preview features when they improve conversion results.

Using Preview Features from CLI¶

When using SnowConvert AI from the command line interface (CLI), you can enable preview features by using the --previewFlags argument. The value must be wrapped with quotes and contain the flags in the following format:

--previewFlags "\"--enableFlag1 --enableFlag2\""
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Example:

snowct [command] --previewFlags "\"--enableFlag\"" [other arguments]
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For multiple flags:

snowct [command] --previewFlags "\"--enableFlag --enableAnotherFlag\"" [other arguments]
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Best Practices¶

  • Understand implications: Ensure you understand that the converted code will require Snowflake preview features to be enabled

Note

For the most current information about which Snowflake preview features SnowConvert AI can utilize, consult the latest SnowConvert AI release notes or contact support.

Available Preview Features¶

The following section lists the preview feature flags that can be entered in the textbox to enable specific Snowflake preview features during conversion. Each flag enables SnowConvert AI to use particular Snowflake preview capabilities.

--enableSnowScriptUDF¶

Deprecated since version 1.19.7 This feature is already in General Availability

This option enables SnowConvert AI to translate User-Defined Functions, taking advantage of the SnowScript UDF Preview Feature. Learn more from the documentation here: Snowflake Scripting UDFs.

Available only for the following languages:

  • Sql Server.

  • Azure Synapse.

--enableFormatSpecifiersPreview¶

This option enables SnowConvert AI to utilize new Snowflake format specifiers and enhancements that are currently in preview. These improvements in Snowflake’s formatting capabilities provide better translation accuracy for SQL Server date/time and numeric formatting functions.

What This Flag Enables:

This preview feature introduces new format elements and enhancements in Snowflake’s TO_CHAR function, allowing SnowConvert AI to generate more accurate translations of SQL Server FORMAT() calls:

  1. New Date/Time Format Elements - Non-padded format specifiers (Y, MO, D, H24, H12, ME, S, P)

  2. Enhanced Numeric Formatting - Percentage and number formats with proper grouping

  3. TM9 Format Enhancement - Arguments for precision and grouping control

These are Snowflake improvements, not just SnowConvert AI translation features. Your Snowflake account must have these preview features enabled to execute the converted code.

Note: To use code generated with this flag, you must request access to these preview features in your Snowflake account. Submit your request using this form: Snowflake Format Improvements Preview Access Request

Date Format Specifiers (Preview)

This flag enables SnowConvert AI to use new Snowflake date/time format elements that support non-padded output, providing accurate translations of SQL Server’s custom single-character format specifiers.

New Snowflake Format Elements:

These format elements are new in Snowflake (in preview) and enable better migration from SQL Server:

  • Y - Year last 2 digits without padding (e.g., 25 from 2025, 5 from 2005)

  • MO - Month without padding (e.g., 3 for March)

  • D - Day without padding (e.g., 5 for the 5th day)

  • H24 - Hour in 24-hour format without padding (e.g., 14 for 2 PM)

  • H12 - Hour in 12-hour format without padding (e.g., 2 for 2 PM)

  • ME - Minute without padding (e.g., 7 for 07 minutes)

  • S - Second without padding (e.g., 3 for 03 seconds)

  • P - Single-character AM/PM indicator (e.g., A for AM, P for PM)

Translation Examples:

The following examples show how SQL Server FORMAT() patterns are translated to Snowflake using these new format elements:

SQL Server Code

SQL Server Output

Snowflake Translation

Snowflake Output

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05' AS DATE), '%M')

3

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05'), 'MO')

3

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05' AS DATE), '%d')

5

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05'), 'D')

5

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05' AS DATE), '%y')

25

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05'), 'Y')

25

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05 14:07:03' AS DATETIME), '%H')

14

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05 14:07:03'), 'H24')

14

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05 14:07:03' AS DATETIME), '%h')

2

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05 14:07:03'), 'H12')

2

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05 14:07:03' AS DATETIME), '%m')

7

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05 14:07:03'), 'ME')

7

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05 14:07:03' AS DATETIME), '%s')

3

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05 14:07:03'), 'S')

3

Combined Format Patterns:

SQL Server Code

SQL Server Output

Snowflake Translation

Snowflake Output

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05 14:07:03' AS DATETIME), 'M/d/yyyy H:m:s')

3/5/2025 14:7:3

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05 14:07:03'), 'MO/D/YYYY H24:ME:S')

3/5/2025 14:7:3

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05 14:07:03' AS DATETIME), 'M/d/yyyy h:m:s tt')

3/5/2025 2:7:3 PM

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05 14:07:03'), 'MO/D/YYYY H12:ME:S PM')

3/5/2025 2:7:3 PM

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05 14:07:03' AS DATETIME), 'h:m:s t')

2:7:3 P

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05 14:07:03'), 'H12:ME:S P')

2:7:3 P

FORMAT(CAST('2025-03-05' AS DATE), 'M/d/%y')

3/5/25

TO_CHAR(TO_TIMESTAMP_NTZ('2025-03-05'), 'MO/D/Y')

3/5/25

Key Points:

  • MO replaces SQL Server’s %M (uppercase M = month)

  • ME replaces SQL Server’s %m (lowercase m = minute)

  • H24 replaces SQL Server’s %H (uppercase H = 24-hour)

  • H12 replaces SQL Server’s %H (lowercase h = 12-hour)

  • P provides single-character AM/PM output (A or P)

  • All formats maintain SQL Server’s behavior of no leading zeros

Numeric Format Specifiers (Preview)

This flag enables SnowConvert AI to translate SQL Server’s percentage and number formatting patterns using Snowflake’s numeric format capabilities.

Percentage Formats (P and %):

SQL Server’s P format and custom % patterns automatically multiply values by 100 and add percentage symbols. The Snowflake translations use fixed-point formats with % symbols:

SQL Server Code

SQL Server Output

Snowflake Translation

Snowflake Output

FORMAT(0.1234, 'P')

12.34 %

TO_CHAR(0.1234, 'FM9,999,999,999,999.00%')

12.34 %

FORMAT(0.1234, 'P0')

12 %

TO_CHAR(0.1234, 'FM9,999,999,999,999%')

12 %

FORMAT(0.1234, 'P2')

12.34 %

TO_CHAR(0.1234, 'FM9,999,999,999,999.00%')

12.34 %

FORMAT(0.1234, '0.00%')

12.34%

TO_CHAR(0.1234, 'FM9999999999999.00%')

12.34%

FORMAT(0.1234, '#,#.00%')

12.34%

TO_CHAR(0.1234, 'FM9,999,999,999,999.00%')

12.34%

FORMAT(0.1234, '%0.00')

%12.34

TO_CHAR(0.1234, '%FM9999999999999.00')

%12.34

Number Formats (N):

SQL Server’s N format provides thousand separators and controlled decimal precision. The Snowflake translations use the enhanced TM9 format element with arguments:

SQL Server Code

SQL Server Output

Snowflake Translation

Snowflake Output

FORMAT(1234567.89, 'N')

1,234,567.89

TO_CHAR(1234567.89, 'TM9(2,3)')

1,234,567.89

FORMAT(1234567.89, 'N0')

1,234,568

TO_CHAR(1234567.89, 'TM9(0,3)')

1,234,568

FORMAT(1234567.89, 'N1')

1,234,567.9

TO_CHAR(1234567.89, 'TM9(1,3)')

1,234,567.9

FORMAT(1234567.89, 'N4')

1,234,567.8900

TO_CHAR(1234567.89, 'TM9(4,3)')

1,234,567.8900

FORMAT(-1234567.89, 'N2')

-1,234,567.89

TO_CHAR(-1234567.89, 'TM9(2,3)')

-1,234,567.89

TM9 Format Element Enhancement (Preview)

The existing Snowflake TM9 format element has been enhanced in this preview to accept two optional arguments for better control over numeric formatting. This is a Snowflake improvement that enables better translations from SQL Server.

Syntax: TM9(fractional_digits, grouping_size)

Translation Examples:

SQL Server Code

Snowflake Translation

Input Value

Snowflake Output

Description

FORMAT(x, 'N2')

TO_CHAR(x, 'TM9(2,3)')

1234.56789

1,234.57

2 decimals with grouping

FORMAT(x, 'N0')

TO_CHAR(x, 'TM9(0,3)')

1234.56789

1,235

No decimals, rounded

FORMAT(x, 'N4')

TO_CHAR(x, 'TM9(4,3)')

1234567.89

1,234,567.8900

4 decimals with grouping

(Direct usage)

TO_CHAR(x, 'TM9(ALL,3)')

1234.56789

1,234.56789

All decimals, grouped

(Direct usage)

TO_CHAR(x, 'TM9(3)')

1234.56789

1234.568

3 decimals, no grouping

(Direct usage)

TO_CHAR(x, 'TM9')

1234.56789

1234.56789

All decimals, no grouping (default)

Behavior Details:

-- Snowflake examples with TM9 enhancement
SELECT 
    TO_CHAR(1234.56789, 'TM9')           AS default_format,    -- 1234.56789
    TO_CHAR(1234.56789, 'TM9(2)')        AS two_decimals,      -- 1234.57
    TO_CHAR(1234.56789, 'TM9(0)')        AS integer_only,      -- 1235
    TO_CHAR(1234.56789, 'TM9(ALL, 3)')   AS all_with_group,    -- 1,234.56789
    TO_CHAR(1234567.89, 'TM9(3, 3)')     AS three_with_group,  -- 1,234,567.890
    TO_CHAR(-1234567.89, 'TM9(2, 3)')    AS negative_value;    -- -1,234,567.89
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Available for: SQL Server only

Language: English