List Tables
Retrieve all tables in a BigQuery project or dataset to explore available data and plan your workflows.
List Tables returns all tables within a BigQuery project or specific dataset. Essential for discovering available data, planning data workflows, and managing your BigQuery table inventory.
When to Use It
- Discover available tables before building data workflows
- Find specific tables for dynamic workflow construction
- Use it as AI Tool for AI Agents to understand your data structure
- Audit table usage and organization across projects
Inputs
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Select | Yes | Google BigQuery project to search in |
| Dataset | Select | No | Specific dataset to list tables from (optional - lists all if empty) |
| Limit | Number | No | Maximum number of tables to return (1-1000) |
Outputs
| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| Tables List | List of all tables with names, types, and metadata |
Credit Cost
1 credit per operation.
Real-World Examples
BigQuery AI Agent:
Data Discovery for New Projects:
Understanding Table Information
The returned data includes:
Table Metadata:
- Table ID and full name
- Table type (TABLE, VIEW, EXTERNAL)
- Creation and modification timestamps
- Dataset and project information
- Row count and size information (when available)
Table Types:
- Standard Tables: Regular BigQuery tables with stored data
- Views: Virtual tables based on SQL queries
- External Tables: Tables that reference data outside BigQuery
FAQ
What's the difference between listing with and without selecting a dataset?
What's the difference between listing with and without selecting a dataset?
Without a dataset, you get all tables across all datasets in the project. With a dataset selected, you get only tables from that specific dataset. Use dataset filtering for focused exploration.
What information do I get about each table?
What information do I get about each table?
You’ll receive table name, type (table/view/external), creation date, modification date, project and dataset info, and basic metadata like row counts when available.
Can I see tables I don't have permission to access?
Can I see tables I don't have permission to access?
No, you’ll only see tables that your connected Google account has permission to view. Restricted tables won’t appear in the results.
How do I find tables with specific characteristics?
How do I find tables with specific characteristics?
Use the List Tables results with other workflow nodes like Conditional Split or AI Analyze Data to filter by table name patterns, creation dates, or other metadata.
What if I have hundreds of tables and hit the limit?
What if I have hundreds of tables and hit the limit?
Increase the limit parameter up to 1000, use dataset filtering to narrow results, or run multiple queries. Consider if you need all tables for your specific use case.
How does this help with data governance?
How does this help with data governance?
Regular table inventory helps track data growth, identify unused tables, ensure proper naming conventions, and maintain organized data architecture for compliance.
Can I use this to identify the largest or most active tables?
Can I use this to identify the largest or most active tables?
The metadata includes basic size and activity information. Combine results with AI Analyze Data to identify patterns or use Conditional Split to filter by specific criteria.