Work with query results and recent queries

Amazon Athena automatically stores query results and query execution result metadata for each query that runs in a query result location that you can specify in Amazon S3. If necessary, you can access the files in this location to work with them. You can also download query result files directly from the Athena console.

Athena now offers you two options for managing query results; you can either use a customer-owned S3 bucket or opt for the managed query results feature. With your own bucket, you maintain complete control over storage, permissions, lifecycle policies, and retention, providing maximum flexibility but require more management. Alternatively, when you choose the managed query results option, the service automatically handles storage and lifecycle management, eliminating your need to configure a separate results bucket and automatically cleaning up results after a predetermined retention period. For more information, see Managed query results.

To set up an Amazon S3 query result location for the first time, see Specify a query result location using the Athena console.

Output files are saved automatically for every query that runs. To access and view query output files using the Athena console, IAM principals (users and roles) need permission to the Amazon S3 GetObject action for the query result location, as well as permission for the Athena GetQueryResults action. The query result location can be encrypted. If the location is encrypted, users must have the appropriate key permissions to encrypt and decrypt the query result location.