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How To Export Data from Looker to CSV

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    Introduction

    Exporting data to CSV from Looker can streamline your data analysis and reporting processes. This guide will walk you through the steps to efficiently export your data.

    We'll cover various export methods and address common issues encountered during the process. Additionally, you'll learn how Sourcetable lets you analyze your exported data with AI in a simple to use spreadsheet.

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    Exporting Data to CSV Format from Looker

    • Methods for Exporting CSV Data in Looker

      Looker provides multiple methods for exporting data to CSV. Users can export data from Looks, Explores, dashboards, legacy dashboards, and merged results queries. The primary methods include downloading data directly in CSV format and using the Looker Action for Google Sheets for CSV exports.

    • Downloading CSV from Looks and Explores

      To export data as a CSV from a Look or Explore, select the gear menu in the upper-right corner and choose "Download." In the Download window, select CSV from the Format field. Looker will download the data in CSV format. Users must have download_without_limit or download_with_limit permission from a Looker admin to download content.

    • Exporting Dashboards as CSV

      Users can export a dashboard as a collection of CSV files, which are delivered in a zipped format. Only query tiles are included; text tiles are excluded. Due to Looker's UTF-8 encoding, the CSV files might appear garbled. Looker suggests using a UTF-8-supporting file extractor like 7-Zip for extracting these files.

    • Coefficient for CSV Export

      Coefficient is the fastest method for exporting Looker data to CSV. It allows for a one-click export and supports automatic data updates. Using this method does not require any permissions from Looker.

    • Looker Action for Google Sheets

      The Looker Action for Google Sheets sends CSVs directly from Looker to Google Sheets. This method requires admin setup but offers basic automation for data export. It is suitable for users who need to integrate data into Google Sheets regularly.

    • Important Considerations

      When exporting data to CSV, note that Looker uses UTF-8 encoding, which may cause downloaded CSVs to appear garbled. A file extractor like 7-Zip, which supports UTF-8, is recommended for extracting zipped CSV files. Additionally, enabling custom row limits or choosing all results is disabled when downloading a dashboard as CSV files.

    How to Export Your Data to CSV Format from Looker

    Permissions Required for CSV Export

    A Looker admin must grant you either the download_without_limit or download_with_limit permission to download content as CSV. Without these permissions, exporting data will not be possible.

    Exporting Data from Look or Explore

    You can export data from a Look or Explore in multiple formats, including CSV. To do this, select the gear menu in the upper right corner of the Look or Explore page and then select Download. In the Download window, choose CSV from the Format drop-down menu. You may include the current result table, all results, or set a custom number of rows for your CSV export.

    Exporting Dashboard Data

    Looker allows you to download data from dashboards, legacy dashboards, and merged results queries as CSV files. Select CSV from the Format drop-down menu to download a dashboard as a collection of CSV files. The CSV files will be zipped and encoded in UTF-8. Use 7-Zip to extract the files to avoid garbled characters.

    Downloading Merged Results Queries

    To export merged results queries, download the entire dashboard as CSV. Looker includes data from merged results tiles in the zipped CSV files. You can also download specific dashboard tiles in CSV format.

    Limitations on CSV Downloads

    Looker does not allow unlimited CSV downloads for queries involving row totals, table calculations, percent of total, percent of previous, or running totals measures. Additionally, CSV downloads are restricted for queries from databases that cannot stream results or those with pivoted columns if the database cannot stream the pivots.

    Custom Row Limits

    When downloading data in CSV format, you can set custom row limits. By default, the number of rows is limited to 5,000, but this can be increased to 100,000 with the appropriate permissions.

    Automatic File Naming

    Looker automatically appends the corresponding file extension for the CSV filename. Ensure proper file management and naming conventions for ease of access and identification.

    Export to Cloud Storage

    Looker instance data can be exported to a Cloud Storage bucket. Use the Google Cloud console or the gcloud command line tool to execute exports. It is necessary to create a Looker service account with the required permissions and roles, including Storage Object Creator and Cloud KMS CryptoKey Encrypter, to perform these exports.

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    Use Cases Unlocked by Leveraging Looker

    Enhancing Real-Time Business Intelligence

    Looker offers real-time analytics capabilities, enabling businesses to monitor and react to data as it happens. By integrating Looker with platforms like BigQuery and Vertex AI, organizations can streamline their data workflows and generate timely insights to foster agile decision-making.

    Optimizing Marketing Performance

    Major organizations, including MLB, utilize Looker to analyze their marketing performance. Through integrations with Google Ad Manager and Google Campaign Manager, Looker helps businesses track and optimize their marketing strategies, leading to better ROI and improved fan engagement.

    Improving Customer Understanding

    Looker helps businesses enhance their understanding of customers by analyzing governed data and delivering actionable insights. For example, MLB uses Looker to tailor fan experiences and make data-driven decisions that improve overall customer satisfaction.

    Scalable Data Visualization Solutions

    Looker is designed to grow with organizations, offering scalable solutions for creating data visualizations. By leveraging Looker's wide array of visualization types, including cartesian charts, pie charts, maps, and text-based tables, businesses can effectively present their data to stakeholders.

    Customizing Data Experiences

    Looker's flexible semantic layer and composable BI capabilities allow for the creation of customized data experiences. Companies can build tailored analytics applications that meet specific business needs, fostering better insights and driving informed decisions.

    Embedded Analytics for Seamless Integration

    Looker enables businesses to integrate analytics directly into their existing applications through embedded analytics. This feature ensures that users can access important data insights without leaving their primary workflows, thereby enhancing productivity and efficiency.

    Accelerating Decision-Making Processes

    Organizations can leverage Looker to create more efficient decision-making processes. For instance, MLB reports utilizing Looker for faster data reporting compared to its legacy BI platforms, resulting in quicker, data-driven decisions.

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    Sourcetable: A Compelling Alternative to Looker

    Sourcetable is a versatile spreadsheet tool that integrates data from various sources, offering a centralized platform for data analysis. Unlike Looker, Sourcetable empowers users with a familiar spreadsheet-like interface to query and manipulate data in real-time.

    With Sourcetable, you streamline data collection and real-time querying, enhancing productivity and decision-making. Its intuitive interface provides an accessible yet powerful environment for managing complex datasets without extensive training.

    Choose Sourcetable for a seamless, spreadsheet-based solution that simplifies data interaction and provides real-time insights. Optimize your data workflow efficiently with an interface designed for ease and precision.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How can I manually download data from Looker to a CSV file?

    To manually download data from Looker to a CSV file, click the gear menu icon in the upper right of a Look or Explore, select 'Download', then choose 'CSV' from the Format field in the Download window.

    Is it possible to automate the export of Looker data to a spreadsheet?

    Yes, you can automate the export of Looker data to a spreadsheet using Coefficient, which syncs Looker data to Google Sheets and automatically updates the data.

    Can I download an entire dashboard as CSV files?

    Yes, you can download an entire dashboard as a collection of CSV files by selecting 'Download' from the gear menu, choosing 'CSV' from the Format drop-down menu. The query tiles will be included in a zipped file generated with UTF-8 encoding.

    What other formats can Looker export data to besides CSV?

    Looker can export data to several formats including CSV, TXT, JSON, Markdown, HTML, Excel, and PNG.

    How do I use Looker actions to send CSVs directly to Google Sheets?

    To use Looker actions to send CSVs directly to Google Sheets, you need to enable Looker actions through the admin settings, which can then send CSVs using OAuth, schedule CSV exports, and customize the format and limit for the exports.

    Conclusion

    Exporting data from Looker to a CSV file is straightforward and efficient. The process ensures that you retain data integrity while enabling easy transfers and analysis.

    By following the steps outlined, you can quickly convert and utilize your Looker data in CSV format.

    Sign up for Sourcetable to analyze your exported CSV data with AI in a simple to use spreadsheet.

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