How to Create a Table in Snowflake

Last updated July 24, 2026 · By the SaturnSQL team

Use CREATE TABLE with a column list, or CREATE TABLE AS SELECT (CTAS) to create a table from a query result. Snowflake needs no indexes or tablespace options, so the statement stays short.

Basic syntax

CREATE TABLE orders (
  id INTEGER,
  customer_id INTEGER,
  amount NUMBER(10,2),
  created_at TIMESTAMP_NTZ DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP()
);

Create a table from a query (CTAS)

CTAS creates and fills the table in one statement. Column names and types come from the query.

CREATE TABLE big_orders AS
SELECT * FROM orders WHERE amount > 1000;

Avoid errors when the table exists

Use OR REPLACE to overwrite, or IF NOT EXISTS to skip creation silently.

CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE orders (...);
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS orders (...);

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