How to REVOKE Permissions in BigQuery

How do I revoke permissions from a user or group in BigQuery?

REVOKE removes previously granted privileges from a BigQuery user, group, or service account.

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Description

What does REVOKE do in BigQuery?

REVOKE removes one or more privileges from a principal on a dataset, table, or view, immediately stopping that principal from performing the associated actions.

What is the basic REVOKE syntax?

Use the REVOKE statement followed by the privilege list, ON object, FROM principal.You can target individual tables or an entire dataset.

How do I revoke SELECT on a single table?

Run REVOKE SELECT ON `project.dataset.Products` FROM "user:alice@example.com"; to block Alice from reading the Products table.

How do I revoke all privileges at once?

List each privilege separated by commas.Example: REVOKE SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON `project.dataset.Orders` FROM "group:analysts@example.com";

What happens if the user had no privilege?

BigQuery ignores the REVOKE with no error, making the command safe to run in automation scripts.

Can I revoke privileges from all tables in a dataset?

Yes, replace the table name with the dataset: REVOKE ALL ON SCHEMA `project.dataset` FROM "serviceAccount:app@project.iam.gserviceaccount.com";

Best practice: Audit before revoking

SELECT * FROM `region-us`.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_PRIVILEGES WHERE grantee="user:alice@example.com"; shows existing rights so you know exactly what to revoke.

Best practice: Use groups, not individuals

Grant and revoke access on Google Groups to simplify management and reduce accidental exposure.

Why did my REVOKE fail with PERMISSION_DENIED?

Your account must hold bigquery.datasets.update on the dataset or bigquery.tables.updateData on the table.Ask an admin to grant temporary authority.

Quick reference

1. Identify principal → 2. Verify current rights → 3. REVOKE privilege ON object FROM principal → 4. Test access.

Why How to REVOKE Permissions in BigQuery is important

How to REVOKE Permissions in BigQuery Example Usage


-- Remove order editing rights from a junior developer
REVOKE UPDATE, DELETE
ON `ecom.prod.Orders`
FROM "user:jdev@ecom.com";

How to REVOKE Permissions in BigQuery Syntax


REVOKE privilege [, ...]
ON { TABLE `project.dataset.table` | SCHEMA `project.dataset` }
FROM {"user:email" | "group:email" | "serviceAccount:sa_email"}

/* Example (e-commerce) */
REVOKE SELECT, INSERT ON `shop.sales.Orders` FROM "group:interns@shop.com";

Common Mistakes

Using REVOKE ON TABLE without back-ticks causes Unknown name errors. Always wrap fully-qualified table names in `project.dataset.table`.
Forgetting to include the privilege list (e.g., REVOKE ON table). BigQuery requires at least one privilege; otherwise the statement fails.