Documentation

Browsing Tables and Records

Learn how to navigate your database using Simpl's intuitive table browser.

Overview

Simpl provides a clean, organized interface for exploring your PostgreSQL data. The browser consists of three main areas:

  • Sidebar - Lists all tables in your database
  • List View - Shows records from the selected table
  • Detail View - Displays full record information

Database browser overview

Table Sidebar

The sidebar displays all tables in your database with helpful metadata.

Table List

Each table shows:

  • Table name (humanized for readability)
  • Estimated row count (calculated efficiently using PostgreSQL statistics)

Table sidebar with row counts

Navigating Tables

Click any table name to load its records in the list view. The active table is highlighted for easy reference.

Refreshing Schema

If you've made changes to your database schema (added tables, modified columns), click the Refresh button at the top of the sidebar to update Simpl's cached schema.

Refresh schema button

List View

The list view displays records as browsable cards, making it easy to scan through your data.

Record Cards

Each record is displayed as a card showing:

  • Title field - The primary identifying field (auto-detected or configured)
  • Field pills - Key fields displayed as compact, scannable pills
  • Relationship indicators - Purple pills for foreign key relationships

Record cards with field pills

Pagination

Records load in pages of 50. Scroll to the bottom to automatically load more records (infinite scroll).

Empty States

When a table has no records, you'll see a helpful empty state message.

Empty table state

Field Display

Simpl renders each field type appropriately for maximum readability.

Text Fields

  • Regular text displays inline
  • Long text is truncated with an ellipsis
  • Click to see the full content in detail view

Numbers

  • Displayed with appropriate precision
  • Large numbers are formatted for readability

Dates and Timestamps

  • Formatted in a human-readable style
  • Relative time shown where appropriate (e.g., "2 hours ago")

Booleans

  • Displayed as clear true/false indicators
  • Visual checkmark or X for quick scanning

Boolean field display

JSON and Arrays

  • JSON is syntax-highlighted for readability
  • Arrays show item count with expandable content
  • Complex structures are collapsible

JSON field with syntax highlighting

URLs and Emails

  • URLs display as clickable links
  • Email addresses open your mail client when clicked

UUIDs

  • Displayed in a compact format
  • Copy button for quick clipboard access

Images

  • Image URLs render as thumbnails
  • Click to view full-size in detail view

Null Values

  • Null fields are displayed subtly or hidden
  • Clear visual distinction from empty strings

Detail View

Click any record to open the detail view modal, showing complete record information.

Full Record Display

The detail view shows:

  • All fields in a vertical layout
  • Full content for truncated fields
  • Syntax highlighting for code and JSON
  • Expandable sections for large content

Detail view modal

Field Organization

Fields are organized with:

  • Clear labels above each value
  • Generous spacing for readability
  • Type-appropriate formatting

Navigating Between Records

Use the arrow keys or navigation buttons to move between records without closing the detail view.

Best Practices

Efficient Browsing

  1. Use search for large tables rather than scrolling
  2. Customize layouts to show only relevant fields
  3. Follow relationships to explore connected data

Understanding Row Counts

Row counts are estimates based on PostgreSQL's internal statistics. They're updated when:

  • PostgreSQL runs ANALYZE
  • Simpl refreshes the schema

For exact counts, check your database directly.

Next Steps