Introduction to notebooks

This document provides an introduction to Colab Enterprise notebooks in BigQuery. You can use notebooks to complete analysis and machine learning (ML) workflows by using SQL, Python, and other common packages and APIs. Notebooks offer improved collaboration and management with the following options:

  • Share notebooks with specific users and groups by using Identity and Access Management (IAM).
  • Review the notebook version history.
  • Revert to or branch from previous versions of the notebook.

Notebooks are BigQuery Studio code assets powered by Dataform. Saved queries are also code assets. All code assets are stored in a default region. Updating the default region changes the region for all code assets created after that point.

Notebook capabilities are available only in the Google Cloud console.

Benefits

Notebooks in BigQuery offer the following benefits:

  • BigQuery DataFrames is integrated into notebooks, no setup required. BigQuery DataFrames is a Python API that you can use to analyze BigQuery data at scale by using the pandas DataFrame and scikit-learn APIs.
  • Assistive code development powered by Gemini generative AI.
  • Auto-completion of SQL statements, the same as in the BigQuery editor.
  • The ability to save, share, and manage versions of notebooks.
  • The ability to use matplotlib, seaborn, and other popular libraries to visualize data at any point in your workflow.

Runtime management

BigQuery uses Colab Enterprise runtimes to run notebooks.

A notebook runtime is a Compute Engine virtual machine allocated to a particular user to enable code execution in a notebook. Multiple notebooks can share the same runtime. However, each runtime belongs to only one user and can't be used by others. Notebook runtimes are created based on template, which are typically defined by users with administrative privileges. You can change to a runtime that uses a different template type at any time.

Notebook security

You control access to notebooks by using Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles. For more information, see Grant access to notebooks.

Supported regions

BigQuery Studio lets you save, share, and manage versions of notebooks. The following table lists the regions where BigQuery Studio is available:

Region descriptionRegion nameDetails
Africa
Johannesburgafrica-south1
Americas
Columbusus-east5
Dallasus-south1leaf icon Low CO2
Iowaus-central1leaf icon Low CO2
Los Angelesus-west2
Las Vegasus-west4
Montréalnorthamerica-northeast1leaf icon Low CO2
N. Virginiaus-east4
Oregonus-west1leaf icon Low CO2
São Paulosouthamerica-east1leaf icon Low CO2
South Carolinaus-east1
Asia Pacific
Hong Kongasia-east2
Jakartaasia-southeast2
Mumbaiasia-south1
Seoulasia-northeast3
Singaporeasia-southeast1
Sydneyaustralia-southeast1
Taiwanasia-east1
Tokyoasia-northeast1
Europe
Belgiumeurope-west1leaf icon Low CO2
Frankfurteurope-west3leaf icon Low CO2
Londoneurope-west2leaf icon Low CO2
Madrideurope-southwest1leaf icon Low CO2
Netherlandseurope-west4leaf icon Low CO2
Turineurope-west12
Züricheurope-west6leaf icon Low CO2
Middle East
Dohame-central1
Dammamme-central2

Pricing

For pricing information about BigQuery Studio notebooks, see Notebook runtime pricing.

Monitor slot usage

You can monitor your BigQuery Studio notebook slot usage by viewing your Cloud Billing report in the Google Cloud console. In the Cloud Billing report, apply a filter with the label goog-bq-feature-type with the value BQ_STUDIO_NOTEBOOK to view slot usage and costs from BigQuery Studio notebook.

BigQuery Studio notebook slot usage report.

Troubleshooting

For more information, see Troubleshoot Colab Enterprise.

What's next