Alter column name of a GBQ table whose source is a google sheet

[nrova]

I have a GBQ table which is created from a google sheet. The names of the columns have been updated in the google sheet but it is not reflecting in the table. So i tried using ALTER command and gave the error that it is an external table and cannot be altered. IS there any workaround or I have to recreate the table using the google sheet to reflect the updated column names?

[ms4446]

You are correct that external tables in BigQuery, such as those created from Google Sheets, cannot be altered directly. This means you cannot modify the schema of an external table, including changing column names.

Here are your options:

1. Recreate the Table: This is the most straightforward method. Delete the existing external table (this won't delete your Google Sheet) and create a new external table using the same Google Sheet as the source. This will reflect the updated column names and any changes in the data structure.

2. Use a Permanent BigQuery Table: Instead of relying on an external table, consider importing the data from the Google Sheet into a permanent BigQuery table. Once the data is in a permanent table, you can use the ALTER command and other features without the limitations of external tables.

3. Automation: If updating the Google Sheet's structure is a frequent task, consider automating the process using scripts or the BigQuery API. This way, you can programmatically delete and recreate the external table whenever there are changes in the Google Sheet.

The best approach will depend on your specific needs. If the table is small or changes are infrequent, recreating the table might be the easiest solution. If changes are frequent, automation or transitioning to a permanent table might be more efficient.