Metabase connector

Set up the Metabase connector in Kaivo: authentication, configuration, the 7 BigQuery tables it syncs, and answers to common questions.

Written By Lauri Raivio

Last updated 16 days ago

Kaivo is a fully managed data platform that syncs your Metabase data into a Google BigQuery warehouse and keeps it up to date automatically. There is no pipeline to build and no infrastructure to run, so you can spend your time analysing your data from Metabase instead of moving it.

What is the Metabase connector

Sync your Metabase metadata into BigQuery with Kaivo to audit dashboards, questions, and usage across your instance.

Category	Tech
Authentication	Username and password
Setup	Self-service

Getting started with the Metabase connector

Sign up for Kaivo and create a workspace.
Connect your Metabase account.
Choose which tables to sync.
Wait for the initial sync to finish.
Query your data in BigQuery or your favourite AI or BI tool.

Authenticating Metabase

Connect with your Metabase login. You provide:

Field	Description
Password
Session Token	To generate your session token, run: `curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"username": "person@metabase.com", "password": "fakepassword"}' https://your-metabase.example.com/api/session` and copy the `id` field from the response. Sessions are valid for 14 days by default.

Configuring the Metabase connector

When you set up the connector, you provide:

Field	Description
Metabase Instance API URL	URL to your Metabase instance API.
Username

Tables and columns synced from Metabase

Kaivo syncs 7 tables from Metabase into a dedicated dataset in your BigQuery warehouse. Click any table to see its columns and types.

cards (48 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`archived`	`BOOL`
`cache_ttl`	`INT64`
`collection__archived`	`BOOL`
`collection__authority_level`	`STRING`
`collection__color`	`STRING`
`collection__description`	`STRING`
`collection__id`	`INT64`
`collection__location`	`STRING`
`collection__name`	`STRING`
`collection__namespace`	`STRING`
`collection__personal_owner_id`	`INT64`
`collection__slug`	`STRING`
`collection_id`	`INT64`
`collection_position`	`INT64`
`created_at`	`STRING`
`creator__common_name`	`STRING`
`creator__date_joined`	`STRING`
`creator__email`	`STRING`
`creator__first_name`	`STRING`
`creator__id`	`INT64`
`creator__is_qbnewb`	`BOOL`
`creator__is_superuser`	`BOOL`
`creator__last_login`	`STRING`
`creator__last_name`	`STRING`
`creator_id`	`INT64`
`database_id`	`INT64`
`dataset`	`BOOL`
`dataset_query__type`	`STRING`
`dataset_query__database`	`INT64`
`dataset_query__native__query`	`STRING`
`description`	`STRING`
`display`	`STRING`
`embedding_params`	`STRING`
`enable_embedding`	`BOOL`
`id`	`INT64`
`last_edit_info__email`	`STRING`
`last_edit_info__first_name`	`STRING`
`last_edit_info__id`	`INT64`
`last_edit_info__last_name`	`STRING`
`last_edit_info__timestamp`	`STRING`
`made_public_by_id`	`INT64`
`name`	`STRING`
`public_uuid`	`STRING`
`query_type`	`STRING`
`table_id`	`INT64`
`updated_at`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: cards__result_metadata

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`JSON`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

collections (13 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`archived`	`BOOL`
`authority_level`	`STRING`
`can_write`	`BOOL`
`color`	`STRING`
`description`	`STRING`
`id`	`STRING`
`location`	`STRING`
`name`	`STRING`
`namespace`	`STRING`
`personal_owner_id`	`INT64`
`slug`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

collections_items_dashboards (2 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

dashboards (26 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`archived`	`BOOL`
`cache_ttl`	`INT64`
`can_write`	`BOOL`
`caveats`	`STRING`
`collection_authority_level`	`STRING`
`collection_id`	`INT64`
`collection_position`	`INT64`
`created_at`	`STRING`
`creator_id`	`INT64`
`description`	`STRING`
`enable_embedding`	`BOOL`
`id`	`INT64`
`last_edit_info__email`	`STRING`
`last_edit_info__first_name`	`STRING`
`last_edit_info__id`	`INT64`
`last_edit_info__last_name`	`STRING`
`last_edit_info__timestamp`	`STRING`
`made_public_by_id`	`INT64`
`name`	`STRING`
`points_of_interest`	`STRING`
`position`	`STRING`
`public_uuid`	`STRING`
`show_in_getting_started`	`BOOL`
`updated_at`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: dashboards__dashcards

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: dashboards__parameters

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`JSON`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: dashboards__tabs

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

databases (40 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`auto_run_queries`	`BOOL`
`cache_field_values_schedule`	`STRING`
`cache_ttl`	`INT64`
`can_upload`	`BOOL`
`caveats`	`STRING`
`created_at`	`STRING`
`creator_id`	`INT64`
`dbms_version__version`	`STRING`
`dbms_version__flavor`	`STRING`
`description`	`STRING`
`details__advanced_options`	`BOOL`
`details__cloud_ip_address_info`	`STRING`
`details__dataset_filters_patterns`	`STRING`
`details__dataset_filters_type`	`STRING`
`details__db`	`STRING`
`details__include_user_id_and_hash`	`BOOL`
`details__let_user_control_scheduling`	`BOOL`
`details__project_id`	`STRING`
`details__project_id_from_credentials`	`STRING`
`details__service_account_json`	`STRING`
`details__ssl`	`BOOL`
`details__use_jvm_timezone`	`BOOL`
`engine`	`STRING`
`id`	`INT64`
`initial_sync_status`	`STRING`
`is_audit`	`BOOL`
`is_full_sync`	`BOOL`
`is_on_demand`	`BOOL`
`is_sample`	`BOOL`
`metadata_sync_schedule`	`STRING`
`name`	`STRING`
`native_permissions`	`STRING`
`options`	`STRING`
`points_of_interest`	`STRING`
`refingerprint`	`BOOL`
`settings`	`STRING`
`timezone`	`STRING`
`updated_at`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: databases__dbms_version__semantic_version

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: databases__features

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

native_query_snippets (21 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`archived`	`BOOL`
`collection_id`	`INT64`
`content`	`STRING`
`created_at`	`STRING`
`creator__common_name`	`STRING`
`creator__date_joined`	`STRING`
`creator__email`	`STRING`
`creator__first_name`	`STRING`
`creator__id`	`INT64`
`creator__is_qbnewb`	`BOOL`
`creator__is_superuser`	`BOOL`
`creator__last_login`	`STRING`
`creator__last_name`	`STRING`
`creator_id`	`INT64`
`description`	`STRING`
`entity_id`	`STRING`
`id`	`INT64`
`name`	`STRING`
`updated_at`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

users (7 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`common_name`	`STRING`
`email`	`STRING`
`first_name`	`STRING`
`id`	`INT64`
`last_name`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

How the Metabase sync works

After the first load, Kaivo keeps your BigQuery warehouse up to date for you. Where Metabase supports it, each sync pulls only new and changed records so it stays fast; otherwise it refreshes the whole table. Every record keeps its original ID, so you won't get duplicate rows.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the initial sync take for Metabase?

It depends on how much history is in your Metabase account. Most initial syncs finish within minutes, while large accounts can take a few hours. After that, syncs only fetch new and changed records, so they're much faster.

Can I sync only some tables or columns?

Yes. You pick which tables to sync when you set up the connection and can change the selection later. Tables you don't select are never copied to your warehouse.

What happens when Metabase's schema changes?

New fields are never added automatically. You choose which fields to sync, so data you haven't selected (sensitive personal data, for example) never lands in your warehouse. When a new field appears, it becomes available for you to add. What happens to removed or renamed fields depends on a table's sync mode: full-refresh tables always match what's currently in Metabase, so dropped fields disappear, while incremental tables keep their existing columns and history, so an old field stays and newly added fields fill in over time.

Your data lives in your own Kaivo-managed BigQuery warehouse, so the most direct option is to delete or anonymise specific records right in BigQuery. If you delete data in Metabase instead, full-refresh tables drop it on the next sync, while incremental tables keep it, so you would remove the row in BigQuery or ask us to run a full refresh. To remove everything, delete the Metabase connector in Kaivo and all of its synced data is deleted with it.

Common use cases for Metabase data

Content inventory

Use cards and dashboards to document what reports exist and how they are organised.

Usage audit

Join cards with collections to find unused or duplicated content to clean up.

Access review

Use users to review who has access across your instance.

Source mapping

Bring databases into BigQuery to document which sources your reports rely on.

Use Metabase data in your AI and BI tools

Once Metabase data lands in your Kaivo-managed BigQuery warehouse, you can explore it with AI tools or any BI tool that connects to BigQuery. Here's how the most common destinations work with Metabase data.

Claude

Use Kaivo's MCP server to give Claude secure, workspace-scoped access to your data. Setup guide →

Power BI

Microsoft's BI tool with a native BigQuery connector. Supports direct query and scheduled refresh. Setup guide →

Data Studio

Free Google BI tool with native BigQuery support. One-click connection to your Kaivo warehouse; great for SMB teams on Google Workspace. Setup guide →

Tableau

The premium analytics standard, with native BigQuery integration. Setup guide →

Google Sheets

Use Connected Sheets to query BigQuery directly from a spreadsheet, with no SQL. Setup guide →

Excel

Connect via Power Query's BigQuery connector. Setup guide →

Metabase

Open-source BI tool with strong BigQuery support. Setup guide →

See our pricing page for Metabase connector pricing and plan details.

Adform: Sync Adform to BigQuery.
Amplitude: Sync Amplitude to BigQuery.
Auth0: Sync Auth0 to BigQuery.
Convex: Sync Convex to BigQuery.
GitHub: Sync GitHub to BigQuery.
GitLab: Sync GitLab to BigQuery.

Was this helpful?

Still need help? Share an idea