DbSchema Interface

This is a quick tour of the DbSchema application window. Everything you see is saved in a single .dbs project file (XML format), so you can work offline and collaborate using Git.

DbSchema application window overview

Application Window

The DbSchema window is divided into four main areas:

  • Project Structure panel (left) — Browse schemas, tables, views, procedures, indexes, constraints, and your saved diagrams. Right-click any object to open data, edit structure, or add it to a diagram.
  • Diagram canvas (center) — Visual canvas for tables and relationships. You can create multiple diagrams, each focused on a specific part of the schema. Diagrams are saved in the .dbs project file.
  • Data & Query Editors (bottom) — Editors for working with data and SQL. These are also saved as part of the project file.
  • SQL History (bottom-left) — When connected to a database, this panel shows the SQL generated by your actions and the queries you have executed. If you are working offline (model only), it stays empty.

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar groups commands by task:

  • Model — New Design, Open/Reopen, Save project, Recent Files, Settings.
  • Edit — Undo/Redo, Cut/Copy/Paste, Delete, Rename, Select.
  • Diagram — Add tables, set keys and relationships, groups and colors, auto-layout, print and export.
  • Connections — Manage drivers and connections, SSH/SSL, reconnect/disconnect, select active database.
  • Schema — Reverse engineer from database, generate vendor SQL, compare and synchronize.
  • Editors — Open Data Editor, Query Builder, SQL Editor, CSV Editor.
  • Tools — Import/Export, Data Generator, HTML5 documentation, Automation Scripts, utilities.
  • Help — Documentation, keyboard shortcuts, license management, check for updates.

Toolbar

The toolbar provides one-click access to the most common actions:

  • Project (.dbs) — New, Open/Reopen, Save.
  • Design — New Diagram, New Table, Data Type.
  • Connection & Sync — Pick database, Refresh Model from Database.
  • Editors — Data Editor, Query Builder, SQL Editor.

Data & Query Editors

Work with data and SQL in dedicated editors:

  • Relational Data Editor — View and edit related rows across tables; follow foreign keys, filter and sort, and commit changes.
  • Visual Query Builder — Drag tables to define joins, filters, grouping, and ordering; run or export the generated SQL.
  • SQL Editor — Write and execute SQL with auto-complete and parameter support; inspect results in a grid.
  • CSV Editor — Preview and import/export CSV with delimiter and encoding detection and column mapping.

The Design Model File

Your design is saved in a .dbs project (XML), independent of the database. You can open the file in any text editor, store it in version control, and share it with your team. Read more about the model file →