Quickstart: Create an Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL account using the Azure portal

APPLIES TO: NoSQL

In this quickstart, you create a new Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL account in the Azure portal. You then use the Data Explorer experience within the Azure portal to create a database and container configuring all required settings. Finally, you add sample data to the container and issue a basic query.

Prerequisites

• An Azure account with an active subscription. Create an account.

Create an account

Start by creating a new Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL account

1. Sign in to the Azure portal (https://portal.azure.cn).

2. Enter Azure Cosmos DB in the global search bar.

   

3. Within Services, select Azure Cosmos DB.

   

4. In the Azure Cosmos DB pane, select Create, and then Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL.

   

   

5. Within the Basics pane, configure the following options, and then select Review + create:

   	Value
   Subscription	Select your Azure subscription
   Resource Group	Create a new resource group or select an existing resource group
   Account Name	Provide a multiple-regionally unique name
   Availability Zones	Disable
   Location	Select a supported Azure region for your subscription

   

   Tip

   You can leave any unspecified options to their default values. You can also configure the account to limit total account throughput to 1,000 request units per second (RU/s) and enable free tier to minimize your costs.

6. On the Review + create pane, wait for validation of your account to finish successfully, and then select Create.

   

7. The portal automatically navigates to the Deployment pane. Wait for the deployment to complete.

   

8. Once the deployment is complete, select Go to resource to navigate to the new Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL account.

   

Create a database and container

Next, use the Data Explorer to create a database and container in-portal.

1. In the account resource pane, select Data Explorer in the service menu.

   

2. In the Data Explorer pane, select the New Container option.

   

3. In the New Container dialog, configure the following values and then select OK:

   	Value
   Database	Create new
   Database id	cosmicworks
   Share throughput across containers	Don't select
   Container id	employees
   Partition key	department/name
   Container throughput (autoscale)	Autoscale
   Container Max RU/s	1000

   

4. Create a new file named demo.bicepparam or (demo.bicepparam).

5. Observe the newly created database and container in the Data Explorer's hierarchy.

   

   Tip

   Optionally, you can expand the container node to observe extra properties and configuration settings.

Add and query sample data

Finally, use the Data Explorer to create a sample item and then issue a basic query to the container.

1. Expand the node for the employees container in the tree of the Data Explorer. Then, select the Items option.

   

2. In the Data Explorer's menu, select New Item.

   

3. Now, insert the following JSON for a new item in the employees container and then select Save:

   {
     "id": "aaaaaaaa-0000-1111-2222-bbbbbbbbbbbb",
     "name": {
       "first": "Kai",
       "last": "Carter"
     },
     "email": "<kai@adventure-works.com>",
     "department": {
       "name": "Logistics"
     }
   }
   

   

4. In the Data Explorer's menu, select New SQL Query.

   

5. Now, insert the following NoSQL query to get all items for the logistics department using a case-insensitive search. The query then formats the output as a structured JSON object. Run the query by selecting Execute Query:

   SELECT VALUE {
       "name": CONCAT(e.name.last, " ", e.name.first),
       "department": e.department.name,
       "emailAddresses": [
           e.email
       ]
   }
   FROM
       employees e
   WHERE
       STRINGEQUALS(e.department.name, "logistics", true)
   

   

6. Observe the JSON array output from the query.

   [
     {
       "name": "Carter Kai",
       "department": "Logistics",
       "emailAddresses": [
         "kai@adventure-works.com"
       ]
     }
   ]
   

   

Explore more setup and optimization guidance

After you create and query your data, use the Overview section to try different features of Azure Cosmos DB.

1. In the account resource pane, select Overview in the service menu.

2. Review the resources in the Overview Hub including, but not limited to:

   • Quickstarts to help you build and test your application.

   • Setup & Optimization guidance to support every stage of your journey from learning to production. Sections include partitioning, indexing, modeling, cost control, backup configuration, and performance tuning.

   • Containers & Data access for querying your data, adjusting throughput, and opening containers in Data Explorer or Visual Studio Code.

   • Monitoring tools such as Insights, Metrics, Alerts, and Diagnostic settings, plus a scorecard that surfaces availability, alerts, and Azure Advisor recommendations.

   • Learning resources like video tutorials, sample apps, and documentation.

   • Actionable recommendations personalized to your account for reliability, security, and cost efficiency.

   

Related content

• NoSQL query syntax
• Resource model