# Table browser and diagram controls

Inspect table structure, distinguish real records from example previews, and navigate relationships between tables.

Source: https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables
Reviewed: 2026-09-06

## Before you start

- Open the named screen in Rumata. Available controls may depend on your account, permissions, and resource state.

<a id="table-browser"></a>

## Find and inspect a table

Open [Database](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#table-browser) → Tables. If the schema cannot load, the empty browser does not prove your database is empty. Check the error banner and [Operations](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-operations#operations) first.

| Control | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Search tables | Filter table names in [List View](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#table-browser). Clear the search to see the full list. |
| List View / Diagram | Switch between a table list and a visual map of table relationships. |
| View | Open a table inspection dialog with Structure, [Data Preview](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#table-browser), and, where applicable, Relationships. |
| Structure | Inspect column names, types, whether blank values are allowed, and primary or foreign keys. |
| Data Preview | Show available sample rows. If Rumata has no real sample rows, this view displays generated examples labeled Random Sample Data. Use [SQL Editor](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database#editor) → Run for actual query results. |
| Data Preview grid controls | Sort, filter, resize columns, or page through the preview. The preview is not an editor. |
| Relationships | Show columns that reference another table. This tab appears only when the table has foreign keys. |
| Close | Dismiss table inspection and return to the browser. |
| Diagram beside a table | Switch to the [diagram](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#diagram) and highlight that table. |
| Edit | Open Table Designer. The current interface has local field controls but no available Save action. Use an explicit [SQL](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database#editor) change or the Rumata agent to make a persistent schema change. |

![Sabai Talk Thai Database Studio Tables tab with lesson and progress tables.](https://docs.rumata.dev/media/manual/database.jpg)

Reference capture from the separate Sabai Talk Thai application (September 8, 2026). The [Tables](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#table-browser) tab shows the structures created for this learning site. Opening a table is a separate action; this view does not display customer records.

<a id="diagram"></a>

## Navigate the database diagram

The [diagram](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#diagram) visualizes tables and existing relationships. Moving around the [diagram](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#diagram) does not change the database.

| Control | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Zoom in / zoom out | Adjust the scale of the [diagram](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-tables#diagram). |
| Fit view | Bring the table map into view. |
| Canvas / mini-map | Pan through a large schema. The mini-map also supports zooming. |
| Relationship line | Highlight a connection between related columns. Click empty canvas to clear the selection. |
| Legend / close legend | Show or hide explanations of primary keys, foreign keys, uniqueness, required fields, defaults, and data-type icons. |
| Table edit icon | Open the selected table in Table Designer, with the same current saving limitation as the list’s Edit action. |

<a id="designer"></a>

## Table Designer fields

These controls describe a local draft of the table structure. In the current application, Add Column and Save are not available. Do not assume changes made here have reached the database.

| Control | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Table Name | Change the name in the local draft. |
| Column row | Select a column and display its properties. |
| Up / down arrows | Move a column in the local list. |
| Trash icon on a column | Remove it from the local draft. This screen currently has no available Save action to apply that removal. |
| Column Name / Data Type | Edit the field name and the kind of value it accepts, such as text, a number, or a date. |
| Length / Precision | Set the additional size or precision field shown for supported data types. |
| Primary Key | Mark the field as an identifier for records. |
| Nullable | Allow the field to contain no value. |
| Foreign Key | Show the settings for linking this field to another table. |
| References Table / References Column | Choose the target of a relationship. Choose a table before selecting its column. |
| Default Value | Enter a default for the draft field. |
| Close | Leave the designer. |

## Related guides

- [Database editor controls](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database)
- [Database](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/system-explorer-database)
- [Database operations and recovery controls](https://docs.rumata.dev/guides/controls-database-operations)