FORMAT_NAME and TYPE are mutually exclusive in the COPY command.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. They can be used together
• D. Only FORMAT_NAME can be used

Answer: (A)

In Snowflake, the COPY command can define how to parse input data either by referencing a stored file format with FORMAT_NAME or by specifying inline format options via FILE_FORMAT (including TYPE). They cannot be used together in the same COPY operation because you’d be mixing two sources of format definition—one from a named object and one from inline settings. If you use a named format, the command uses that format’s settings; if you specify inline options, you provide the details directly. Therefore, they are mutually exclusive, making the statement true. For example, you can use a named format like FILE_FORMAT = ( FORMAT_NAME = 'MY_CSV_FORMAT' ) or inline options like FILE_FORMAT = ( TYPE = 'CSV', FIELD_DELIMITER = ',' ), but not both at once.