Looker has launched self-service Explores, a feature designed to enhance the speed and flexibility of data analysis. This new capability allows users to integrate their own data into Looker's semantic layer, ensuring quick access to insights without compromising the quality of governed data.
Data teams often navigate between the structured environment of modern business intelligence (BI) and the informal nature of spreadsheets. Self-service Explores bridge this gap by enabling authorized users to convert flat files into fully functional Looker Explores in mere seconds. Users can easily import data from Google Drive or transform Google Sheets into actionable analytics.
Key Features of Self-Service Explores:
- Instant File Uploads: Users can drag and drop files for quick analyses or to test hypotheses before formalizing them.
- Google Sheets Integration: Data can be imported directly from Google Sheets through Oauth or by sharing a document URL.
- Merge Queries with BigQuery: Users can combine uploaded files with existing Looker data, enriching analyses with external data points.
- Re-upload and Refresh: Files can be easily updated within existing self-service Explores to keep dashboards current.
The introduction of conversational analytics allows users to interact with their data in natural language, facilitating deeper insights through follow-up questions. Admin controls ensure visibility and monitoring, distinguishing between ad-hoc and modeled data, thereby preserving the integrity of core business logic.
Self-service Explores empower users with the agility of spreadsheet analysis while leveraging the robust security of BigQuery. This innovation aims to reduce the time spent waiting for data models, allowing users to focus on deriving insights from their data.
