Connecting Azure to Cloud Ctrl
Cloud Ctrl integrates with Microsoft Azure to collect detailed cost, usage, and reservation data from your subscriptions.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Azure Account Type | Know your billing account type: Enterprise Agreement (EA), Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA), Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), or Cloud Solution Provider (CSP). How to check your account type → |
| Azure Portal Access | Sign-in to portal.azure.com |
| Microsoft Entra ID Permissions | Ability to create App Registrations (requires Application Administrator or Global Administrator role) |
| Subscription Access | Reader access to the subscriptions you want to connect, or Owner/User Access Administrator to grant permissions |
Setup Steps
| Step | Applies To | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create a Dedicated Storage Account | All | Create an isolated storage account for cost exports |
| 2. Application Registration & Permissions | All | Create the App Registration and grant required permissions |
| 3. Cost Management Exports | All | Configure exports based on your account type (EA, MCA, PAYG, or CSP) |
Connecting in Cloud Ctrl
Once you have completed the Azure setup steps above, you will need to add a Credential and a Cloud Account in Cloud Ctrl:
- Navigate to Settings → Cloud Connections → Microsoft Azure
- Click + Add Credential and select a credential type:
- Azure Entra App — Enter your Tenant ID, Client ID, and Client Secret from the App Registration
- Managed Identity — If Cloud Ctrl is hosted in your Azure environment, enter only the Storage Account Name and Container Name (no secret required)
- Click + Add Cloud Account and link it to your credential with the cost export details
For detailed instructions on this step, see the relevant export setup guide:
Enhancing Your Azure Connection
You can unlock additional data (reservations, savings plans, recommendations) by assigning extra Azure permissions to the App Registration you've already created — no new credential is needed. Optionally, if you have an EA, MCA, or CSP arrangement, you can add a separate credential for features like amortised costs.
See Enhanced Azure Access for details.
Troubleshooting
Having issues? See Troubleshooting Azure Connections for common setup and data ingestion problems.
💡 Once the connection is validated, Cloud Ctrl automatically begins ingesting cost data from your Azure environment, updating daily with new billing exports.