Send Emails From Azure Databricks Notebooks With Python

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 56 views

Hey data enthusiasts! Ever needed to send email notifications directly from your Azure Databricks notebooks? Maybe you want to alert your team when a critical job finishes, or perhaps you need to report errors in real-time. Whatever the reason, sending emails is a super useful skill. In this article, we'll dive into how you can easily set up email functionality within your Databricks notebooks using Python. We'll cover the necessary configurations, the code you need, and some cool tricks to make your notifications even more effective. Let's get started, shall we?

Setting Up Your Environment to Send Email

First things first, before we can send emails from Azure Databricks using Python, we need to ensure our environment is ready to handle email sending. This involves a few key steps: importing the necessary libraries and configuring your email settings. The most common library for sending emails in Python is smtplib, which provides the core functionalities for interacting with Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) servers. Another useful library is email.mime.text, which helps in structuring the email content, including the subject, body, and formatting. You'll also need access to an SMTP server. Common choices include Gmail, Outlook, or any SMTP server provided by your organization. For this tutorial, we will be using Gmail as our SMTP server. Remember, if you use Gmail, you'll need to enable "less secure app access" or use an app password for security reasons (Google's security protocols might block attempts from “less secure apps”). Let's install these prerequisites inside your Databricks notebook. Using %pip install is the easiest way to install libraries directly into the notebook environment. Now, let’s get into the details on each step.

Importing Required Libraries

To begin, you will need to import the required libraries into your Databricks notebook. This is usually done at the start of your code. By importing these modules, you equip your script with the necessary tools to connect to the SMTP server, craft your email, and send it out. We'll start by importing smtplib for handling the SMTP connection and email.mime.text.MIMEText to structure the email content. ```python import smtplib from email.mime.text import MIMEText


### Configuring Email Settings

Before you can send your first email, you'll need to configure your email settings. This includes the SMTP server details, your email address, and the recipient's email address. Here's a basic setup that you can customize: ```python
# Email configuration
SMTP_SERVER = 'smtp.gmail.com'
SMTP_PORT = 587
SENDER_EMAIL = 'your_email@gmail.com' # Replace with your email address
SENDER_PASSWORD = 'your_password' # Replace with your app password or email password
RECIPIENT_EMAIL = 'recipient_email@example.com' # Replace with recipient's email

Important: Ensure you replace the placeholder values with your actual email credentials and the recipient's email address. For Gmail, you can use smtp.gmail.com as the SMTP server and port 587 with TLS enabled. Regarding security, it is highly recommended to use an app password (if your email provider supports it) instead of your main email password to prevent unauthorized access. If your email provider has two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, you'll likely need to generate an app password.

Writing the Python Code to Send Emails

Now that the environment is set up and the necessary libraries imported, we can write the Python code to send the emails. This involves creating a connection to the SMTP server, constructing the email message, and sending it. The structure of the email includes the subject, the body, and the recipients. Let's break down the code into several parts to better understand how it works. First, we will create the email message using MIMEText, then we will establish a secure connection with the SMTP server using smtplib. Finally, we will send the email using the sendmail method and close the connection. Here’s a detailed walkthrough:

Creating the Email Message

The first step is to create the email message. This involves defining the subject and body of the email. You can format the body of the email using HTML to include rich text, images, and other formatting options. The use of HTML lets you create visually appealing and informative email notifications. Here's how to create a simple email message.```python

SUBJECT = 'Databricks Notebook Alert' BODY = 'Your Databricks job has completed successfully.'

msg = MIMEText(BODY) msg['Subject'] = SUBJECT msg['From'] = SENDER_EMAIL msg['To'] = RECIPIENT_EMAIL


In this code snippet, we create a basic email message with a subject and a body. You can modify the body to include dynamic information, such as the job status, error messages, or any other relevant details from your Databricks notebook. Using HTML allows you to embed tables, images, and other elements, making your emails more informative and user-friendly.

### Establishing a Connection to the SMTP Server

Next, you'll establish a secure connection to the SMTP server. This involves connecting to the server using `smtplib` and authenticating with your email credentials. The SMTP server acts as the intermediary that sends the email on your behalf. This step is crucial for ensuring that your emails are delivered correctly. The secure connection ensures that your credentials and email content are protected during transit. Here's how to connect to the SMTP server using the settings we've previously configured.```python
try:
    with smtplib.SMTP(SMTP_SERVER, SMTP_PORT) as server:
        server.starttls()  # Upgrade the connection to TLS
        server.login(SENDER_EMAIL, SENDER_PASSWORD)
        server.sendmail(SENDER_EMAIL, RECIPIENT_EMAIL, msg.as_string())
        print("Email sent successfully!")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error sending email: {e}")

This code snippet uses a with statement to ensure that the SMTP connection is properly closed after sending the email, regardless of any errors. The starttls() method upgrades the connection to Transport Layer Security (TLS), which encrypts the communication between your notebook and the SMTP server, enhancing security. The login() method authenticates with your email credentials. The sendmail() method sends the email. Error handling using a try...except block is included to catch any exceptions and print an informative error message.

Sending the Email and Handling Errors

Finally, the email is sent using the sendmail() method, and any errors are handled gracefully. It is vital to include error handling in your code to identify and address any issues that may arise during the email-sending process. This helps in troubleshooting and ensuring that email notifications are sent reliably. The sendmail() method takes the sender's email address, the recipient's email address, and the email message as arguments. The try...except block captures potential exceptions, such as connection errors or authentication failures. Error messages are printed to the console to help diagnose the problem. Here’s the final step to send email.```python

try: with smtplib.SMTP(SMTP_SERVER, SMTP_PORT) as server: server.starttls() server.login(SENDER_EMAIL, SENDER_PASSWORD) server.sendmail(SENDER_EMAIL, RECIPIENT_EMAIL, msg.as_string()) print("Email sent successfully!") except Exception as e: print(f"Error sending email: {e}")


In summary, the code first establishes a secure connection to the SMTP server, then constructs the email message, and finally sends the email. If any error occurs during the process, it catches the exception and prints an error message, which helps in debugging and ensures that you can identify and resolve any issues. Make sure you replace the placeholder email address with your actual credentials for it to work.

## Advanced Techniques for Email Notifications

Now that you know the basics, let's explore some advanced techniques to make your email notifications even more powerful and useful. You can customize your emails to provide detailed reports, dynamic content, and actionable alerts. This includes embedding attachments, sending emails with HTML formatting, and dynamically updating email content. Let's explore these advanced options that can enhance your notification system. These methods help to make your email notifications more informative, visually appealing, and useful for your users.

### Sending Emails with Attachments

Sometimes, you might want to include attachments, like reports or log files, in your emails. Python's `email` package also supports attachments. You will have to use `MIMEMultipart` to create a message that includes both text and attachments. ```python
from email.mime.multipart import MIMEMultipart
from email.mime.base import MIMEBase
from email import encoders
import os

# Create a multipart message
msg = MIMEMultipart()
msg['Subject'] = "Databricks Job Report"
msg['From'] = SENDER_EMAIL
msg['To'] = RECIPIENT_EMAIL

# Attach the body
body = "Please find the job report attached."
msg.attach(MIMEText(body, 'plain'))

# Attach a file
filename = "job_report.pdf" # Replace with your file
path = "/dbfs/FileStore/reports/" # Replace with the file path

try:
    with open(os.path.join(path, filename), "rb") as attachment:
        part = MIMEBase('application', 'octet-stream')
        part.set_payload(attachment.read())
        encoders.encode_base64(part)
        part.add_header('Content-Disposition', f"attachment; filename= {filename}")
        msg.attach(part)
except FileNotFoundError:
    print(f"File not found: {filename}")

try:
    with smtplib.SMTP(SMTP_SERVER, SMTP_PORT) as server:
        server.starttls()
        server.login(SENDER_EMAIL, SENDER_PASSWORD)
        server.sendmail(SENDER_EMAIL, RECIPIENT_EMAIL, msg.as_string())
        print("Email with attachment sent successfully!")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error sending email: {e}")

In this example, we create a MIMEMultipart object to hold both the email body and the attachment. We then open the attachment file in binary read mode, create a MIMEBase object to represent the attachment, set the payload, and encode it. We add a header for content disposition to specify the filename and finally, attach the attachment to the message. Be sure to replace /dbfs/FileStore/reports/ with the actual path where your file is located in DBFS. This enhancement is particularly useful for sending reports, logs, or any other relevant documents directly via email.

Formatting Emails with HTML

Enhance the appearance of your emails by using HTML to format the content. This allows you to add styling, create tables, and include images, making your emails more readable and visually appealing. Using HTML gives you more control over the layout and presentation of your messages.```python

from email.mime.text import MIMEText

SUBJECT = 'Databricks Job Notification' HTML_BODY = """

Job Status: Success

The job completed without errors.

Metric	Value
Run Time	15 minutes

"""

msg = MIMEText(HTML_BODY, 'html') msg['Subject'] = SUBJECT msg['From'] = SENDER_EMAIL msg['To'] = RECIPIENT_EMAIL

try: with smtplib.SMTP(SMTP_SERVER, SMTP_PORT) as server: server.starttls() server.login(SENDER_EMAIL, SENDER_PASSWORD) server.sendmail(SENDER_EMAIL, RECIPIENT_EMAIL, msg.as_string()) print("HTML email sent successfully!") except Exception as e: print(f"Error sending email: {e}")


In this example, the `MIMEText` constructor is used with the 'html' parameter to specify that the body contains HTML. You can use HTML tags to structure your email content, including headings, paragraphs, tables, and images. The resulting email will be formatted as specified in the HTML, providing a more visually appealing and informative notification.

### Dynamically Updating Email Content

To make your email notifications even more useful, dynamically update the content based on the job's results, error messages, or other real-time data. This way, your emails provide up-to-date and relevant information. Dynamic content is useful for providing specific details and insights from the execution of the notebook. You can tailor the email content to reflect the current state of your data processing jobs.```python
# Dynamically updating email content
# Assuming you have job results stored in a variable called 'job_results'
job_results = {"status": "success", "runtime": "15 minutes", "errors": []}

SUBJECT = 'Databricks Job Notification'

# Construct the email body based on job results
if job_results['status'] == 'success':
    BODY = f"The job completed successfully in {job_results['runtime']}."
else:
    BODY = f"The job failed. Errors: {job_results['errors']}"

msg = MIMEText(BODY)
msg['Subject'] = SUBJECT
msg['From'] = SENDER_EMAIL
msg['To'] = RECIPIENT_EMAIL

try:
    with smtplib.SMTP(SMTP_SERVER, SMTP_PORT) as server:
        server.starttls()
        server.login(SENDER_EMAIL, SENDER_PASSWORD)
        server.sendmail(SENDER_EMAIL, RECIPIENT_EMAIL, msg.as_string())
        print("Dynamic email sent successfully!")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error sending email: {e}")

In this example, the email body is dynamically constructed based on the job_results dictionary. If the job status is "success", the email will indicate the job was successful and include the runtime. If the job failed, the email will include the error messages. You can extend this approach to include any relevant information from your data processing jobs, making your notifications more informative and actionable.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When sending emails from Azure Databricks, you might encounter a few common issues. These issues can be related to the network, SMTP server settings, or code errors. Let's delve into these issues to help you troubleshoot and resolve them efficiently, ensuring your email notifications work reliably. Understanding and addressing these issues will prevent disruptions and guarantee that your email notifications function smoothly.

Authentication Errors

Authentication errors usually occur when the SMTP server cannot verify your credentials. Ensure that the sender's email and password are correct in the configuration. Double-check your username and password, and verify that your account has permission to send emails. If you are using Gmail, consider generating an app password if you have 2FA enabled. Always confirm your username and password, and make sure that your account has the necessary permissions.```python


### Network Connectivity Issues

Network connectivity problems can prevent your notebook from connecting to the SMTP server. Verify that your Databricks cluster has network access to the SMTP server. You may need to configure your network settings to allow outbound connections to the SMTP server. Make sure that your Databricks cluster can reach the SMTP server. You should also check the cluster's network settings to confirm that outbound connections to the SMTP server are allowed. This includes checking firewall rules and network configurations.

### SMTP Server Configuration Errors

Inaccurate SMTP server settings might cause issues when sending emails. Confirm that the SMTP server address and port are accurate. Also, ensure you have selected the proper security protocol (such as TLS or SSL) required by the SMTP server. For Gmail, you should use `smtp.gmail.com` on port `587` with TLS enabled. Confirm that the SMTP server address, port, and security settings are correctly set in your configuration. Validate the server address and port number, and ensure you have selected the correct security protocol (TLS or SSL). This is crucial for establishing a secure connection to the SMTP server.

## Best Practices and Security Considerations

To ensure secure and reliable email notifications from your Azure Databricks notebooks, follow these best practices and security considerations. Proper management of email configurations, user credentials, and data privacy is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data. Properly configuring these aspects is paramount to prevent any security breaches and safeguard user credentials. Let’s dive into those details.

### Securely Storing Email Credentials

Never hardcode your email credentials directly in your notebook code. It is essential to securely manage your credentials to prevent unauthorized access. Instead, use Databricks secrets or environment variables to store your email password. This is a crucial step to prevent unauthorized access and protect your email account. Databricks secrets provide a secure way to store and manage sensitive information. Environment variables offer another way to securely store and access your credentials. Follow these guidelines to secure your email configurations.

### Monitoring Email Sending and Delivery

Monitor the sending and delivery of your emails to detect any issues immediately. Implementing a monitoring system for email sends allows you to identify and resolve any email-related issues promptly. Monitor email logs, error messages, and delivery statistics to detect and fix potential problems. Implement a monitoring system for email sends. Review logs and delivery statistics regularly to identify and resolve potential problems efficiently. Monitoring helps in ensuring the reliability of your email notifications and detecting any issues immediately.

### Complying with Email Sending Policies

Always abide by the email sending policies of your email provider and any applicable regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA. Make sure that your email practices conform to the policies of your email provider, as well as any relevant privacy regulations. This includes obtaining consent for sending marketing emails and providing opt-out options. This ensures ethical and compliant communication practices. Proper email practices are critical to building trust with your users and avoiding legal issues.

## Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! You've learned how to **send emails from Azure Databricks notebooks using Python**. We've covered the basics of configuration, code implementation, advanced techniques, and troubleshooting common issues. By following the steps and tips provided, you can integrate email notifications into your data processing workflows, keeping your team informed and enabling prompt responses to any events. Experiment with the advanced techniques, adapt the code to your specific needs, and remember to prioritize security in your setup. Happy emailing!