Import files from Google Drive
Pull CSV, Excel, PDF, JSON, and Word files straight from your Drive into clariBI. No downloads to your computer, no manual re-uploads - just pick the files you need and start analyzing.
OAuth-secured with drive.readonly scope. Server-side file download, automatic format detection, and 440+ ready-to-use analysis templates.
What does this integration do?
Google Drive is where teams store spreadsheets, reports, data exports, and documents. When your data lives in Drive, getting it into an analytics tool usually means downloading files to your computer and re-uploading them manually. That process is slow, error-prone, and means your analysis is always working with a stale snapshot.
clariBI's Google Drive integration eliminates that manual step entirely. It connects to your Drive via OAuth, lists your files and folders, and lets you pick which ones to import. Files are downloaded server-side - they never touch your local machine. clariBI automatically detects the file format and processes it accordingly.
Supported file types include: CSV, TSV, Excel (.xlsx), JSON, XML, PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), and email files (.eml, .msg). Tabular files (CSV, Excel) become queryable datasets. PDFs and documents can be processed with OCR for text extraction and analysis.
clariBI requests only the drive.readonly scope. It can read and list your files but can never modify, delete, or share them.
How to import files from Google Drive
The entire process takes under two minutes. You just need a Google account with access to the files you want to import.
Authorize your Google account
From your clariBI workspace, navigate to Data Sources and click + Add Data Source. Select Google Drive from the list. clariBI will open a Google OAuth consent screen requesting drive.readonly access. Approve the permission to continue.
Browse your Drive
clariBI lists your Drive files and folders. Navigate through your folder structure to find the files you want to import. You can see file names, types, sizes, and last-modified dates.
Select files to import
Pick one or more files. clariBI downloads them server-side - no manual download to your computer required. The files are automatically processed based on their format: CSV and Excel become queryable datasets, PDFs can be processed with OCR, and structured files (JSON, XML) are parsed into tabular form.
Analyze your data
Imported files are ready for conversational analytics, 440+ analysis templates, and auto-generated dashboards. Ask questions in plain English and get instant, chart-ready answers from your Drive files.
What you can analyze
Once imported, your Drive files become first-class data sources for clariBI's full suite of analytics features.
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CSV, TSV, and Excel spreadsheets
Tabular files become instantly queryable datasets. Column headers are auto-detected and used for chart labels and AI queries.
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JSON and XML data files
Structured data files are parsed and flattened into tabular form for analysis and visualization.
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PDF documents with OCR
Extract tables and text from PDF reports, invoices, and statements. OCR processing handles scanned documents.
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Word and PowerPoint files
Import .docx and .pptx files for text extraction and content analysis.
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Email files (.eml, .msg)
Process exported email files for metadata extraction and content analysis.
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440+ pre-built analysis templates
Finance, sales, marketing, operations - choose from 440+ templates across 30 business categories and apply them to your imported data.
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Combine with other data sources
Mix imported Drive files with database, API, or spreadsheet data in a single unified dashboard.
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Export results as PDF, CSV, or Excel
Generate polished reports from your imported data and export them in the format your stakeholders prefer.
Connection details
Reference these parameters when configuring your Google Drive connection in clariBI. Authentication is handled entirely through Google OAuth - no API keys or service accounts needed.
| Parameter | Value / Notes |
|---|---|
| OAuth scope |
drive.readonly
|
| Token management | OAuth 2.0 refresh tokens stored with Fernet encryption; automatic token renewal |
| API version | Google Drive API v3 |
| Auth method | Google OAuth 2.0 consent flow (no API keys or service accounts required) |
| Access model | Read-only; clariBI never modifies, deletes, or shares your Drive files |
Use cases
Google Drive is the central file hub for millions of organizations. Here are the most common ways teams use the clariBI integration.
Team Data Exports
Import CSV exports from CRM, accounting, or marketing tools that your team stores in shared Drive folders. Skip the download-and-reupload cycle entirely.
Invoice Processing
Pull PDF invoices from Drive and use OCR to extract tabular data for expense analysis, vendor spend tracking, and accounts payable reporting.
Report Consolidation
Import multiple Excel reports from different departments and analyze them together in one dashboard. Spot cross-department trends that individual reports miss.
Automated Workflows
If other tools export files to Drive automatically (via Zapier, Make, or built-in integrations), clariBI can pick them up without manual intervention.
Research Data
Import shared research datasets stored in Drive without downloading them to your local machine first. Analyze survey data, experiment results, and market research files directly.
Client Deliverables
Agencies can import client-provided data files from shared Drive folders and build dashboards immediately. No back-and-forth emails with file attachments.
Security & requirements
Your Drive files stay safe. Here is how clariBI protects your Google Drive connection and what you need to get started.
Security measures
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OAuth 2.0 with minimal scope
clariBI requests only
drive.readonly. No write, delete, or share permissions are ever requested. -
Encrypted token storage
OAuth refresh tokens are stored with Fernet symmetric encryption at rest. The encryption key is managed separately from the data store.
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Read-only access guaranteed
clariBI can only list and read your files. The readonly OAuth scope makes it technically impossible for clariBI to modify, delete, or share your Drive content.
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Server-side file processing
Files are downloaded directly from Google's servers to clariBI's infrastructure. They never pass through your browser or local machine.
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Audit logging
All file imports and data access events are logged in clariBI's audit trail, visible to workspace administrators at any time.
Prerequisites
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Google account
Any Google account (personal or Google Workspace) with access to the files you want to import.
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Supported file formats
CSV, TSV, Excel (.xlsx), JSON, XML, PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), and email files (.eml, .msg).
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File access
Your Google account must have at least Viewer access to the files. Shared files work as long as your account can open them.
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File size limits
Files are subject to your clariBI plan's storage limits. Large files (100 MB+) may take longer to process on the initial import.
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No software installation
Everything runs in the browser. No extensions, plugins, or desktop software required on your end.
Pricing & availability
Google Drive integration is included on all paid clariBI plans and the free 14-day trial. No extra fees, no per-import charges.
Annual billing saves up to 17% • All plans include unlimited dashboards, reports, and data source connections within your plan's limits • See full pricing details
Import from Drive in one click
Start your free 14-day trial and import your first Drive file today. No credit card required.
440+ analysis templates • OAuth read-only access • 10+ file formats supported • All paid plans from $99/month