Google Workspace now lets you query massive BigQuery datasets using plain English questions, directly inside Google Sheets. Instead of writing SQL or waiting for your data team to pull reports, you can simply ask Gemini something like "What were total sales in the Northeast last quarter?" and get an answer drawn from your complete dataset—not just the rows visible in your spreadsheet.
This is a genuine shift in how business users can interact with enterprise data. No SQL knowledge required. No switching between applications. Just type a question and get your answer.
How does natural language querying actually work in Sheets?
Once you've connected a spreadsheet to BigQuery using Connected Sheets, a Gemini side panel becomes available. You type questions in conversational English, and Gemini translates them into queries that run against your full BigQuery dataset.
The key difference from previous approaches: you're not limited to what's loaded into the spreadsheet. Gemini queries the source data directly in BigQuery, which means you can analyse datasets far larger than Sheets could ever hold locally.
You can also ask follow-up questions. Start with "Show me Q3 revenue by region" then dig deeper with "Which products drove the increase in the Southeast?" The conversation builds on itself.
Can Gemini build dashboards and reports automatically?
Yes—and this is where it gets properly useful for anyone who's spent hours manually building pivot tables and charts.
You describe what you need: "Build a quarterly sales review with revenue by region, a monthly trend chart, and our top 10 products." Gemini shows you its plan, then creates a new spreadsheet tab with connected pivot tables, charts, and database formulas. These objects stay linked to BigQuery, so they refresh automatically on schedule.
For the person who used to spend Friday afternoon pulling weekly reports, this is a significant time saver. For data teams fielding constant ad-hoc requests, it means fewer interruptions.
Which Google Workspace plans include this feature?
| Plan Type | Included Editions |
|---|---|
| Business | Standard and Plus |
| Enterprise | Standard and Plus |
| Consumer | Google AI Pro and Ultra |
| Education | Google AI Pro for Education Add-on |
| Other | AI Expanded Access Add-on |
The feature is on by default—no admin configuration needed. Users just need permission to query the connected BigQuery data.
What do I need to get started?
- Ensure you have a compatible Google Workspace plan (see table above)
- Connect your spreadsheet to BigQuery using Connected Sheets
- Open the Gemini side panel in your connected spreadsheet
- Start asking questions about your data
If your organisation already uses BigQuery for data warehousing, this removes a significant barrier between your data and the people who need to make decisions from it.
For more on how Google Workspace tools can support your business operations, see our Google Workspace solutions page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know SQL to use this feature?
No. You ask questions in plain English, and Gemini handles the query translation. The feature is designed specifically for business users who aren't database specialists.
Does this work with data already in my spreadsheet, or only BigQuery?
This specific feature is for BigQuery data accessed through Connected Sheets. Gemini queries run against the full dataset in BigQuery, not just what's visible in your spreadsheet.
Will the charts and pivot tables Gemini creates stay up to date?
Yes. The objects Gemini builds are connected to your BigQuery data and can be set to refresh on a schedule, so your dashboards stay current without manual updates.
Ready to put your BigQuery data to work?
If you're looking to get more from Google Workspace—or you're considering whether it's the right fit for your organisation—Blue Chip Technologies Ltd. can help. We set up and support Google Workspace for businesses worldwide, with remote delivery globally and on-site assistance available in Trinidad & Tobago.
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