The BigQuery console now features a Reference panel available in both the query editor and notebook editor, providing enhanced functionality for working with tables, snapshots, views, and materialized views. This feature is generally available (GA).
Query Editor Capabilities
In the query editor, the Reference panel offers context-aware information about various resources. Users can preview schema details or open these resources in new tabs. The panel also facilitates query construction and editing by allowing insertion of query snippets or field names directly into the query.
To construct a new query using the Reference panel:
- Navigate to the BigQuery page in the Google Cloud console.
- Click SQL query and then open the Reference panel.
- Select a recent or starred table/view or search for one.
- Use the View actions menu to insert query snippets.
- Optionally preview schema details or open the resource in a new tab.
- Insert field names into the query by selecting the insertion point in the editor and clicking the desired field name in the Reference panel.
Notebook Editor Capabilities
In the notebook editor, the Reference panel allows users to preview schema details of tables, snapshots, views, or materialized views and open these resources in new tabs, supporting easier data exploration and query building.
Overall, the Reference panel streamlines schema inspection and query development by integrating resource previews and snippet insertion directly within the BigQuery interface.
