BigQuery has introduced Table Explorer, a new feature currently in preview, designed to simplify data exploration and query creation.
Key Features of Table Explorer
- Visual Data Exploration: Automates the visual exploration of table data.
- Query Generation: Generates queries based on user-selected fields.
- Field Selection: Allows examination of up to 10 table fields simultaneously.
How It Works
- Interactive Cards: Displays selected fields as cards showing up to 10 most common values.
- Dynamic Querying: Creates data exploration queries based on user interactions with the cards.
- Query Application: Users can apply generated queries directly in Table Explorer or copy them to the query editor.
Limitations
- Table Scope: Only supports single-table exploration.
- Query Generation: Generates SQL queries based on user selections without AI assistance.
- Access Control: Requires read access for all selected fields in tables with column-level ACLs.
Pricing Considerations
Table Explorer incurs compute pricing charges for query execution. Before running a query, it displays the amount of data to be processed, allowing users to manage costs effectively. The feature is available for BigQuery tables, BigLake tables, external tables, and views.
Availability
Table Explorer is available for:
- BigQuery tables
- BigLake tables
- External tables
- Views
This feature aims to make data exploration more intuitive and accessible, streamlining the process of understanding and querying large datasets.
