Can I use Google Sheets as a database?

You can store data in Google Sheets, but it is not a database. It lacks ACID transactions, relational integrity, foreign keys, row-level security, and SQL support. Google Sheets caps at 10 million cells per workbook. For anything beyond a small personal dataset, you need a real database engine. Query Streams lets you keep your data in a proper database and access it live from Google Sheets.

How do I connect a SQL database to Google Sheets?

Install the Query Streams Agent on any machine in the same network as your database. Add your database connection in the Agent's dashboard. Then build and save queries in the Query Streams portal, install the free Google Sheets add-on, and run your queries on demand. The entire setup takes under ten minutes.

Is Google Sheets secure enough for database data?

With Query Streams, database credentials never leave the Agent, all communication is encrypted and outbound-only, queries are read-only, and access can be revoked instantly. Data flows directly from the Agent to the user's spreadsheet with no intermediate storage.

What databases work with Google Sheets through Query Streams?

Ten database engines: Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, Microsoft Access, Oracle, Snowflake, BigQuery, and DuckDB. These work across on-premise servers, cloud-managed instances (AWS RDS, Azure SQL, Google Cloud SQL), and embedded/file-based databases.

Can multiple users query the same database from Google Sheets?

Yes. A query author saves a query in the portal and shares it by email with any number of users. Each recipient installs the free Google Sheets add-on and can independently select the query, adjust filters, and run it to get live data on demand. Query Streams also supports parallel query execution.

Do I need to write SQL to use Query Streams with Google Sheets?

Someone on your team writes the initial SQL query in the portal's Query Builder. After that, end users in Google Sheets never see SQL. If no one on your team writes SQL, you can use Nova, the built-in AI assistant, to generate queries from plain English descriptions.

How is Query Streams different from IMPORTDATA or Apps Script?

IMPORTDATA only reads CSV/TSV from public URLs and cannot connect to any private database. Apps Script JDBC requires JavaScript coding, embeds credentials in scripts, and has a 6-minute execution limit. Query Streams connects securely to 10+ databases through an installed Agent, provides auto-detected interactive filters, hides SQL from end users, and supports parallel execution with adaptive compression.

Does Query Streams work with Microsoft Excel too?

Yes. Query Streams provides both a Google Sheets add-on and a Microsoft Excel add-in. The same saved queries, filters, and sharing rules work across both platforms.

How much does Query Streams cost?

Query Streams offers a free tier to get started with one Agent and core features. Paid plans add multiple Agents, automation integrations, team sharing, and priority support. Visit querystreams.com/pricing for current plan details.

What is the best database for Google Sheets?

Any SQL database works well with Google Sheets when connected through Query Streams. PostgreSQL and MySQL are the most popular choices because they are free, widely supported, and available on every major cloud platform. For enterprise workloads, SQL Server, Oracle, and Snowflake are common. The best database depends on your existing infrastructure -- Query Streams connects to all of them through the same secure Agent.

Can I use Google Sheets as a database backend for my application?

Google Sheets should not be used as a production database backend. It lacks transactions, enforced data types, indexing, concurrent write safety, and scales only to 10 million cells. Use a proper database engine like PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQL Server. You can still use Google Sheets as a reporting layer by connecting your real database through Query Streams.