Can't connect Vertex AI Agent Builder to Google Drive datastore

[Leoni]

Hi folks,

I want to connect Vertex AI Agent in Agent Builder to the data from my Google Drive. I created a Datastore for that, but when I try to use it for my agent I see this error message: "Vertex AI Conversation apps cannot use workspace data store". I connected the data stored within my bucket without any issues.

Does this mean it's impossible to use Google Drive data for agents?

[ibaui · Accepted solution]

Hi @Leoni,

Welcome to Google Cloud Community!

You are correct. As of now, Vertex AI Agent Builder doesn't directly support using Google Drive data stores. The error message "Vertex AI Conversation apps cannot use workspace data store"  confirms this limitation. While you can connect to data in Google Drive indirectly (as you successfully did via a Cloud Storage bucket), you cannot directly connect Vertex AI Agents to a Google Workspace data store.

This doesn't mean that using Google Drive data is impossible; it just means the connection method is indirect. Here's why and how to do it correctly:

Workspace Data Stores vs. Cloud Storage: Vertex AI Agents work with data stored in Cloud Storage (like a Google Cloud Storage bucket, which you've already successfully used). Google Workspace data stores, while convenient for Google Workspace applications, aren't designed for the direct access pattern Vertex AI Agents require for real-time data retrieval. They have different security models and access mechanisms.

The Indirect Approach (Your Current Successful Method): You've already found the correct approach:

• Export from Google Drive: Export your data from Google Drive into a format suitable for storage and retrieval (e.g., CSV, JSON).
• Upload to Cloud Storage: Upload the exported data to a Cloud Storage bucket.
• Connect the Agent: Configure your Vertex AI Agent to access the data from the Cloud Storage bucket. You likely already have this part working.

While Agent Builder doesn't directly support Google Drive data, you can use a workaround like migrating to GCS to access your data. The workaround of exporting and uploading to Cloud Storage is necessary and, as you've demonstrated, effective. This is the recommended and supported method.

You can also read the following documentation for more details:

• Data Stores
• Create a search data store 
• Prepare data for ingesting

I hope the above information is helpful.

[badcom]

It looks like I can't connect any types of apps to a Google Drive data store anymore? If I try to connect a Search app to a Google Drive data store, I get a "Vertex AI website apps cannot use workspace data store".

I was able to do this before. What app can I connect to a Google Drive data store?

[krosinski]

What about using such a datastore for grounding? It seems that it works just fine in Vertex AI UI (both chat and freeform options) however when I try to move it to a standalone app (chatbot in google chat using cloud functions, colab UI) grounding does not work at all. What's the reason? Is there any solution to this? If it works in the Vertex AI UI then the functionality is there. Any recommendations?

[amit_acharya]

In fact, there is no point of creating a data store if you cant connect to any app. 

[tuedonbang]

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[krosinski]

There used to be a 'generic search' option initially. They removed it but I know that it's back as a preview, so likely there is a trusted testers/ early access form somewhere where you can get your project whitelisted. To be checked with your respective Google team.