Exploring Database Schemas in SQL Developer
After you download SQL Developer and connect to your database, the schema explorer helps you understand your database structure. Navigate tables, views, indexes, stored procedures, and more — all from a visual tree view.
Prerequisites: Download SQL Developer and connect to a database.
The Connections Panel
The Connections panel on the left side of SQL Developer is your gateway to exploring database schemas.
After you connect, you'll see a tree structure with these main nodes:
- Tables — Your database tables with columns, constraints, and indexes
- Views — Saved queries that act like virtual tables
- Indexes — Performance indexes on your tables
- Sequences — Auto-increment number generators (Oracle/PostgreSQL)
- Procedures — Stored procedures and functions
- Triggers — Automatic actions on data changes
Tip: If you don't see the Connections panel, press Ctrl + Shift + O or go to View > Connections.
Exploring Tables
Tables are the foundation of your database. In SQL Developer, you can explore every aspect of a table's structure.
View Table Structure
- Expand your connection in the Connections panel
- Expand the Tables node
- Click on any table name to see its details
Table Detail Tabs
When you select a table, you'll see several tabs:
- Columns — Column names, data types, nullable, default values
- Data — Browse actual data in the table
- Constraints — Primary keys, foreign keys, unique constraints, check constraints
- Indexes — Indexes created on this table
- Grants — Permissions on this table
- Statistics — Row counts and table size information
- SQL — The CREATE TABLE statement that defines this table
Viewing and Editing Table Data
SQL Developer provides multiple ways to view and modify data in your tables.
Quick Data Preview
Right-click any table and select one of these options:
- Open — Opens the table in the detail view with all tabs
- Edit... — Opens the table structure editor
- Table > Select All Rows — Runs
SELECT * FROM table - Table > Count Rows — Shows the total row count
Filtering Data
In the Data tab, you can filter rows without writing SQL:
- Click the Filter icon (funnel) in the Data tab toolbar
- Enter your filter criteria (e.g.,
status = 'active') - Press Enter to apply the filter
Editing Data Directly
If your table has a primary key, you can edit data directly in the grid:
- Double-click a cell to edit its value
- Press Tab to move to the next cell
- Click the Commit button (checkmark icon) to save changes
- Click Rollback to discard changes
Understanding Table Relationships
Foreign key constraints define relationships between tables. SQL Developer helps you visualize these connections.
Viewing Foreign Keys
- Select a table in the Connections panel
- Click the Constraints tab
- Look for constraints of type R (referential/foreign key)
The constraint shows which column references which table.
Finding Related Tables
Right-click a foreign key constraint and select:
- Navigate to Referenced Table — Jump to the parent table
- Find Referencing Tables — See which tables reference this one
Generating ER Diagrams
SQL Developer can generate entity-relationship diagrams:
- Go to File > Data Modeler > Import > Data Dictionary
- Select your connection and the tables to include
- SQL Developer creates a visual diagram showing all relationships
Exploring Views and Stored Procedures
Database Views
Views are saved queries that act like virtual tables. In the Connections panel:
- Expand the Views node
- Click a view to see its structure
- The SQL tab shows the SELECT statement that defines the view
- The Data tab shows the view's output
Stored Procedures and Functions
Explore your database's stored procedures:
- Expand the Procedures or Functions node
- Double-click a procedure to open its code
- The editor shows the full PL/SQL or T-SQL code
- Right-click and select Run to execute the procedure
Debugging Stored Procedures
SQL Developer includes a built-in debugger for Oracle databases:
- Set breakpoints by clicking in the left margin
- Right-click the procedure and select Debug
- Step through code line by line
- Inspect variable values in the debugger panel
Quick Navigation Tips
Speed up your schema exploration with these shortcuts:
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Find Object | Ctrl + Shift + F | Search for any database object by name |
| Refresh | Ctrl + R | Refresh the selected node to see recent changes |
| Quick Filter | Type while focused on tree | Start typing to filter visible objects |
| Describe | Shift + F4 | Open a popup with object details |
| Generate DDL | Right-click > Quick DDL | Copy the CREATE statement for an object |
Filtering Large Schemas
When working with databases that have hundreds of tables:
- Right-click the Tables node and select Apply Filter...
- Enter a pattern like
customer%to show only matching tables - Click Clear Filter to show all tables again
Next Steps
Now that you can navigate your database schema, learn more:
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