What is Firestore?

Firestore is a NoSQL database that is part of both Firebase and Google Cloud, serving as a cloud-hosted database solution. It is specifically designed to cater to mobile, web, and server development, providing a flexible and scalable platform for managing and synchronizing data. Firestore's NoSQL data model allows it to store data in documents, which are then organized into collections to facilitate efficient query building and data retrieval.

The service is accessible from various client-side platforms, including Android, Apple, and web applications, through native SDKs for Node.js, Java, Python, Unity, C++, and Go, as well as REST and RPC APIs. Firestore excels in handling large workloads, making it suitable for big applications that require robust data management capabilities. It supports a variety of data types, from simple strings and numbers to complex, nested objects, and even hierarchical data structures. Additionally, Firestore allows for subcollections within documents, enabling developers to create any data structure that suits their application's needs.

Firestore's real-time listeners and data synchronization features ensure that data updates are reflected on any connected device, enhancing the user experience with real-time data changes. The local caching of active app data allows offline data operations, with Firestore synchronizing local changes with the cloud once the device reconnects to the internet. This is complemented by Firestore's integration with other Google Cloud products, such as Cloud Functions, for seamless real-time processing and automation.

Security is a top priority for Firestore, which can be secured with Firebase Authentication, Cloud Firestore Security Rules, and Identity and Access Management (IAM) for different levels of access control. These security measures ensure that data is protected and that only authorized users and services can access or modify it. Firestore's shallow queries, sorting, filtering, limiting, and cursors in queries provide developers with powerful tools to retrieve and manage data efficiently, while maintaining app performance and scalability.

Export Firestore to CSV File

Exporting All Documents to CSV

To export all documents from Cloud Firestore to a CSV file, use the gcloud command-line tool with the firestore export command and the --async flag. This process will incur one read operation per document and the exported documents will be stored in a designated Cloud Storage bucket. The output will be in the LevelDB log format.

Exporting Specific Collections to CSV

If you need to export specific collections, use the firestore export command with the --collection-ids flag, specifying the collection IDs you wish to export. This will not include subcollections automatically, and it's essential for importing these specific collections later. The resulting export can be found in your Cloud Storage bucket in the LevelDB log format.

Exporting Data for Offline Processing

The managed export and import service allows for exporting data for offline processing. Execute the appropriate gcloud command to export either all documents or specific collections, which will then be available in a Cloud Storage bucket. Keep in mind that exporting large quantities of data may take some time.

Recovering from Accidental Deletion

To use the managed export and import service for data recovery, initiate an export operation before attempting any import. This service can help recover from accidental deletion of data by allowing you to export your current data state and then importing it back if needed.

Exporting to BigQuery

If you intend to export to BigQuery for advanced analysis, use the appropriate gcloud command with a collection-ids filter. The export operation generates a compatible BigQuery table schema for each collection group, considering the 10,000 column limit by treating map fields as bytes.

Cancelling an Export Operation

Should you need to cancel an ongoing export operation, use the gcloud firestore operations cancel command. Note that documents that have already been exported to the Cloud Storage bucket will remain unaffected by the cancellation.

Import Firestore Data Directly with Sourcetable

Choosing Sourcetable to import your Firestore data into a spreadsheet offers a seamless integration that bypasses the traditional export to CSV and manual import process. Sourcetable's ability to sync live data from a wide array of apps and databases, including Firestore, simplifies the workflow significantly. This direct import method not only saves time but also ensures that the data remains up-to-date without the need for constant manual refreshes.

With Sourcetable, you can leverage the power of automation, enhancing your business intelligence efforts. By automatically pulling in data from Firestore, Sourcetable allows you to utilize a familiar spreadsheet interface to query and analyze your data. This real-time syncing capability means that any changes in your Firestore database are immediately reflected, providing an always-current snapshot of your data landscape. This is a stark contrast to the static nature of CSV exports, which can quickly become outdated.

Moreover, Sourcetable eliminates the risks of data loss or corruption that can occur during the CSV export/import process. By maintaining a live link with Firestore, you can trust in the integrity and reliability of your data. The integration of Sourcetable into your data management practices not only streamlines operations but also provides a robust platform for data-driven decision-making, which is crucial in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Common Use Cases

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  Recovering from accidental deletion of data
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  Performing offline data processing
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  Loading data into BigQuery for analysis
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  Quickly viewing data in a spreadsheet format

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I export a Firestore collection to a CSV file?

You can export a Firestore collection to a CSV using Google Cloud. First, click 'More in google cloud' in Firestore, then use BigQuery to import the exported Firestore collection from Cloud Storage. Finally, in BigQuery, click 'Save Results' and choose 'CSV' to export your data to a CSV file.

What are the costs associated with exporting Firestore data?

Exporting data from Cloud Firestore incurs one read operation per document exported. Both export and import operations are charged for document reads and writes at the same rates as regular Cloud Firestore operations.

Do Firestore export and import operations trigger budget alerts?

No, export and import operations do not trigger budget alerts until after the operations are completed. You can view the costs associated with these operations using the goog-firestoremanaged:exportimport label.

What is the role of the Cloud Firestore service agent in export operations?

The Cloud Firestore service agent authorizes import and export operations. It is specific to Cloud Firestore and is preferred over the App Engine service account. It must have the Firestore Service Agent role for Cloud Storage buckets to perform these operations.

Can I export Firestore data for a specific point in time?

Yes, you can use the firestore export command with the --snapshot-time flag to specify a point-in-time recovery (PITR) timestamp. This will only export data that existed at the specified timestamp.