Google Sheets Tool

Read Google Sheets data by spreadsheet ID and return it as CSV with metadata.

The Google Sheets Tool allows DinoAI to pull spreadsheet data directly into your development workflow, making it easy to map sheet contents into dbt seeds, models, or tests without manual copying or reformatting.

This tool bridges the gap between spreadsheet-based data definitions and dbt development, enabling DinoAI to read structured sheet data and turn it into ready-to-use dbt assets — from seed files to schema definitions.

Requires Google Sheets integration. Before using this tool, make sure you've connected your Google account in Paradime. See Connecting Google Sheets to Paradime for setup instructions.

Capabilities

The read_google_sheet tool reads and extracts data from Google Sheets and converts it into a format DinoAI can reason over and act on. Specifically, it:

• Accesses a spreadsheet by ID

• Lets you select a specific sheet by name or GID

• Returns data in CSV format

• Auto-detects available sheets within a spreadsheet

• Includes metadata about the selected sheet

Using the Google Sheets Tool

1. Open DinoAI in the right panel of the Code IDE

2. Provide the Google Sheet ID or URL you want to reference (e.g., 1abc...xyz or a full Google Sheets URL)

3. Optionally specify the sheet name or GID you want DinoAI to read

4. Add your prompt describing what you want DinoAI to do with the sheet data

5. Grant permission when DinoAI asks to access the spreadsheet

6. Review and implement DinoAI's suggested actions

Example Use Cases

Summarizing Sheet Columns

Prompt:

Read Google Sheet 1abc... (sheet name: definitions) and summarize the columns.

Result: DinoAI accesses the specified sheet, parses the column structure and contents, and returns a clear summary of what each column contains — useful for understanding a dataset before building models against it.

Generating a dbt Seed and Schema

Prompt:

Using this Google Sheet as context: 1uX... create the yml file for the model using the definitions provided

Result: DinoAI reads the spreadsheet data, maps the columns and values into a dbt seed file, and generates a corresponding schema.yml with column descriptions and suggested tests ready for implementation.

Working with Other Tools

The Google Sheets Tool works well alongside DinoAI's other capabilities to support your full development workflow:

• Combine with the Google Drive Search Tool to locate the right spreadsheet in Drive before reading its contents

• Combine with the Terminal Tool to run dbt commands against seeds or models generated from sheet data

• Use alongside Git Lite to commit seed files and schema definitions that trace back to a source spreadsheet

You'll need appropriate sharing permissions on the Google Sheet for DinoAI to access it. DinoAI will request permission each time it needs to read spreadsheet data.

Best Practices

• Specify the sheet name or GID — For spreadsheets with multiple tabs, tell DinoAI which sheet to read to avoid ambiguity

• Keep sheets well-structured — DinoAI works best with sheets that have clear column headers in the first row and consistent data types per column

• Be specific in your prompt — Tell DinoAI exactly what you want produced, such as a seed file, column descriptions, or a set of dbt tests

• Verify the output — Always review DinoAI's interpretation of your sheet data before implementing, especially when column names are abbreviated or ambiguous