# BigQuery

> Connect BigQuery to sanda: what to prepare, the fields the connection form asks for, and how its data lands in your warehouse.

## Connect BigQuery

:::steps
1. **Open the catalogue.** In the console, go to **Data · Connections** and press **New connection**.
2. **Choose BigQuery.** It is listed under databases; you can also search for it by name.
3. **Fill in the form.** Enter the fields below. Credentials go straight to sanda’s sync engine and are never stored in sanda’s database.
4. **Choose what to sync.** Pick the tables you want, and a sync mode for each. See [choose what to sync](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/choose-tables).
5. **Run the first sync.** sanda tests the connection, then lands each table you chose in your warehouse.
:::

## Configuration fields

What the connection form asks for. Required fields are marked; the rest are optional.

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Credentials JSON** | string, secret | Yes | The contents of your Service Account Key JSON file. |
| **Default Dataset ID** | string | No | The dataset ID to search for tables and views. If you are only loading data from one dataset, setting this option could result in much faster schema discovery. |
| **Project ID** | string | Yes | The GCP project ID for the project containing the target BigQuery dataset. |

## Related

:::links
- [Sync modes](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/sync-modes): How sanda reads each table on every run.
- [Sync schedules](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/schedules): How often a connection runs.
- [Allowlist sanda’s address](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/allowlist): For a system behind a firewall.
- [Troubleshoot connections](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/troubleshooting): What an error means and how to fix it.
:::