Automated Email Alerts from BigQuery: Your Guide to Monitoring Metrics

Idan Moradov
Jun 20
3 min read

Updated: Aug 19

Automated email alerts from BigQuery can help you monitor important metrics like errors, transactions, trends, or thresholds—without having to manually check dashboards. In this guide, I’ll walk you through several ways to set up these alerts using tools like Google Apps Script, Analytics Model, Pub/Sub, and App Engine.

Why Automated Alerts Matter

Automated alerts are crucial for staying informed about your data. They save time and ensure you never miss important changes. With the right setup, you can receive notifications about critical metrics, allowing you to make timely decisions.

Getting Started with Automated Alerts

Option 1: Google Apps Script + Google Sheets (Low-Code)

This is a simple and cost-effective method that connects BigQuery to a Google Sheet and sends alerts based on cell values.

How It Works:

BigQuery query results are written into a Google Sheet.
A script checks the results and sends an email if a condition is met.
You can schedule it to run automatically.

Setup:

Step 1: Enable BigQuery in Apps Script

Open Google Sheets > Extensions > Apps Script
In the Apps Script editor, click the + icon next to "Services"
Add BigQuery API

Step 2: Paste This Sample Script (Update Your IDs):

```javascript

function checkBigQueryResults() {

// Your BigQuery logic here

}

```

Step 3: Automate It

Use the Triggers tab in Apps Script to run the function every hour, day, etc.

Option 2: Analytics Model (No-Code, Fast Setup)

Analytics Model is a no-code platform designed specifically for automated alerts and insights using BigQuery—without writing a single line of code.

Why Use It?

No coding required
Direct BigQuery connection
Auto-generated visualizations
Simple interface for setting up alerts
Scalable for multiple users and teams

How to Set It Up:

Go to Analytics Model
Connect your BigQuery account
Add your BigQuery table
Create an Insight (a query or logic you want to monitor)
Add the Insight to your Feed
Define a condition (e.g., "value > 1000") and schedule email notifications
Done—your alert will now run automatically

This is the best solution if you're not a developer or need a fast, scalable way to handle alerts.

Option 3: Pub/Sub + Cloud Functions (Serverless)

This method is recommended for teams with backend or DevOps experience who want a production-grade, scalable solution.

Workflow:

Schedule a BigQuery job to run regularly.
The job triggers a Pub/Sub topic.
A Cloud Function listens to the topic and:

Fetches data

Checks conditions

Sends email via Gmail API or services like SendGrid

This approach is great for:

Real-time use cases
Complex notification logic
Integrating with other APIs or systems

Option 4: App Engine (Custom Logic, Full Control)

You can build a web service on Google App Engine that:

Queries BigQuery on a schedule
Analyzes results
Sends email alerts based on complex business rules

Tools You Can Use:

Python/Flask
Node.js/Express
Gmail or third-party APIs

This option is ideal for teams that need full flexibility and want alerts to be part of a broader application.

Summary of Options

Here’s a comparison of the main options:

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Automated email alerts can transform how you monitor your metrics. By choosing the right method, you can ensure that your team stays informed and ready to act on critical data insights.

With the right setup, you can leverage the power of data to make confident strategic decisions and empower your team to work more efficiently.

Analytics Model