Fabric automates Iceberg / Delta table optimization, so you don't run a separate compaction or vacuum job. The operations are part of the product, not a downstream DBT / Trino job you build and babysit.
Maintenance operations
| Operation | What it does |
|---|---|
| Optimize | Compacts small files for better query performance |
| Expire snapshots | Removes old snapshots based on retention |
| Remove orphan files | Cleans up unreferenced data files |
| Rewrite manifests | Optimizes metadata files |
Scheduling
Configure a maintenance policy per source — the operations, the schedule, and retention — or trigger a manual run from the UI. Maintenance runs safely alongside a live stream; if it ever conflicts with a commit, the stream retries with backoff rather than failing.
Why it matters
Fewer, bigger files and leaner metadata mean faster queries and lower storage cost. Over time a busy table without maintenance accumulates many small files and a long snapshot history; periodic optimization keeps it lean.