Importing data into SPICE

When you import data into a dataset rather than using a direct SQL query, it becomes SPICE data because of how it's stored. SPICE (Super-fast, Parallel, In-memory Calculation Engine) is the robust in-memory engine that Amazon QuickSight uses. It's engineered to rapidly perform advanced calculations and serve data. In Enterprise edition, data stored in SPICE is encrypted at rest.

When you create or edit a dataset, you choose to use either SPICE or a direct query, unless the dataset contains uploaded files. Importing (also called ingesting) your data into SPICE can save time and money:

• Your analytical queries process faster.

• You don't need to wait for a direct query to process.

• Data stored in SPICE can be reused multiple times without incurring additional costs. If you use a data source that charges per query, you're charged for querying the data when you first create the dataset and later when you refresh the dataset.

SPICE capacity is allocated separately for each AWS Region. Default SPICE capacity is automatically allocated to your home AWS Region. For each AWS account, SPICE capacity is shared by all the people using QuickSight in a single AWS Region. The other AWS Regions have no SPICE capacity unless you choose to purchase some. QuickSight administrators can view how much SPICE capacity you have in each AWS Region and how much of it is currently in use. A QuickSight administrator can purchase more SPICE capacity or release unused SPICE capacity as needed. For more information, see Managing SPICE memory capacity.