How to change the Google Cloud Billing account of a Terra Billing project

Allie Hajian
  • Updated

 Learn how to change the Google Cloud Billing account that funds a Terra Billing project. You may want/need to do this, for example, if there is a change to the funding source, and you are the Terra Billing project owner, and Google Cloud Billing account user. 

Changing billing: Step-by-step instructions

1. Go to the Billing page from the main navigation at the top left of any page in Terra (Main navigation > Your name > Billing).

2. Select a Billing project from the list on the left-hand side of the screen.

Terra Billing project not clickable? You will see a link on the Billing project only if you have owner or user permission on the Cloud Billing account! 

If you can click on the project but don't see the Cloud Billing account, see the troubleshooting section below.

3. Click the pencil icon next to "Billing Account" under the Billing project name. 

4. You will see a list of all the Google Cloud Billing accounts you can access. Select the one you want to associate with the Terra Billing project and click OK.

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What to expect

After a minute or two, your Terra Billing will be funded by the chosen account!

Video demo of changing the Cloud Billing account in Terra
Change-Google-Cloud-Billing_Screen_shot.gif

Troubleshooting: Missing Google Cloud Billing account

Try the following if you are unable to follow the instructions above. 

1. Make sure Terra is a User on the Google Cloud Billing account

If you don't see the Google Cloud Billing account you want to assign to the project (in step 4, above), it may be because terra-billing@terra.bio (also seen as terra-billing@firecloud.org) does not have Billing Account User permission on the Google Cloud Billing account. See How to set up billing in Terra for step-by-step instructions. 

2. Check your Terra and Google ID

If you confirmed that terra-billing@firecloud.org is a Billing Account User, but still don't see the Billing account in the dropdown, it could be because the Terra user ID is different from the Google ID on the Billing account.

To make sure the Google Cloud Billing account has been shared with the same Google ID you use for your Terra login, check that the Cloud Billing account is visible (in Google Cloud Console) when you are logged into Google Chrome with your Terra user ID. 

3. Check your Google Cloud Billing account permission

If you don't see the Billing account in Google Cloud Console, contact the owner and ask them to give you User permission on the Google Cloud Billing account. Once you are a User, you can follow the step-by-step instructions to change the Cloud Billing account funding of the Terra Billing project.

If you use STRIDES or another third-party resellerThe third-party reseller is the Google Cloud Billing account owner, even if you are the owner of the Terra Billing project. You need to contact STRIDES for help changing the Cloud Billing account.

Troubleshooting: "No Access" to Billing Account

There are two reasons you might see a "no access" warning beside the Billing account. You will know which one is your case by observing if there is a three vertical dot icon next to the "Billing Account: No Access" card. 

'No Access' (no three vertical dot icon)

What it looks like

Screenshot of top of Terra Billing project summary screen with 'No access' and nothing else beside the 'Billing Account'

What's happening?

In this case, a Google Cloud Billing account is associated with the Terra Billing project, but your user account does not have sufficient permission to know its name.

What can you do?

Contact the owner and ask them to change the Google Cloud Billing account. Or, you can ask the owner for permission, and follow the directions above to change the Google Billing account for the Terra Billing project.

'No Access' (followed by three vertical dot icon)

What it looks like

Screenshot of top of Terra Billing project summary screen with 'No access' and a three-vertical-dot icon beside the 'Billing Account'

What's happening?

In this case, you have owner permission on the Terra Billing project, but there is no associated Google Cloud Billing account.

What can you do?

To add a Google Cloud Billing account, click on the three vertical dots. Then follow the directions above to change the Google Billing account for the Terra Billing project.

How to set up a new Google Cloud Billing account

Setting up a Google Cloud Billing account lets you have full control over your billing and is a good option if you are comfortable working in the Google Cloud console. You can use a personal credit card or bank account (and get reimbursed, if your work on Terra is grant funded) or an institutional credit card or another account.

For step-by-step instructions on how to set up a Google Cloud Billing account, see Set up billing with $300 Google credits.

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