When you export Google Cloud billing data to BigQuery, several auto-generated tables are created based on the type of export you selected. These tables follow specific schemas that include rich metadata useful for cost analysis and automation.
📋 Table Types and What They Include
- Standard and Detailed usage cost tables – Include fields like usage amount, cost, project ID, SKU ID, and resource-level labels (great for tagging analysis).
- Pricing export tables – Include SKU-level prices, pricing tiers, and aggregation methods, helping you understand how charges are calculated.
✅ Where to View Table Schemas
You can explore all billing export schemas in the official BigQuery Billing Export Schema Documentation.
🛠️ Tips for Working with Billing Tables
- Use SQL Preview: Click on a table in BigQuery and use “Query Table” to preview data structure.
- Partition & Filter: Billing tables are partitioned by day; use `WHERE usage_start_time` for performance.
- Join pricing & usage tables: Use SKU ID as a common key to combine usage and pricing data.
🧭 Related Articles or Next Steps
🕓 Last Updated: April 2025