Why We Built Sigma's Worksheet

Sigma Worksheet is an interactive, direct-manipulation interface developed by Sigma Computing for constructing data warehouse queries, aiming to make cloud-scale data accessible to users with varying levels of database experience. The journey to its development involved experimenting with various prototypes, including systems for automatic query generation and visual programming, which highlighted the need for a balance between automation and user interaction. Early iterations faced challenges such as the complexity of integrating code with user interfaces and the difficulty of gaining customer trust in a cloud-based system. Ultimately, Sigma Worksheet was designed to be intuitive for business users familiar with spreadsheet systems, allowing them to leverage their skills to interact with and analyze data directly from cloud data warehouses like Google BigQuery and AWS Redshift. The platform emphasizes collaboration between data experts and business users, enabling the sharing and automation of knowledge in a seamless, guided manner.