Introduction to datasets

This page provides an overview of datasets in BigQuery.


A dataset is contained within a specific project. Datasets are top-level containers that are used to organize and control access to your tables and views. A table or view must belong to a dataset, so you need to create at least one dataset before loading data into BigQuery.

Dataset limitations

BigQuery datasets are subject to the following limitations:

  • You can set the geographic location at creation time only. After a dataset has been created, the location becomes immutable and can't be changed by using the Cloud Console, using the bq command-line tool, or calling the patch or update API methods.
  • All tables that are referenced in a query must be stored in datasets in the same location.

  • When you copy a table, the datasets that contain the source table and destination table must reside in the same location.

  • Dataset names must be unique for each project.

Dataset quotas

For more information on dataset quotas and limits, see Quotas and limits.

Dataset pricing

You are not charged for creating, updating, or deleting a dataset.

For more information on BigQuery pricing, see Pricing.

Dataset security

To control access to datasets in BigQuery, see Controlling access to datasets. For information about data encryption, see Encryption at rest.

Next steps