Database navigator
Database Navigator is the main tool in DBeaver for working with database structure and data. It shows a tree of objects - like connections, schemas, tables, and views - based on your database type.
Tip
If you don’t see Database Navigator, go to Window -> Database Navigator to open it.
Navigation¶
Browse database objects¶
Use the tree in Database Navigator to view and explore databases. Each connection shows its own set of objects - schemas, tables, views, procedures, and more. Expand a connection to access its contents. Click any object to open it in the appropriate editor or viewer.
Filter database objects¶
Use the filter bar above the navigator tree to search and filter database objects.
Start typing to highlight matching items. The filter supports partial matches and updates results instantly.
You can also filter using the view options or context menu.
Tip
The filter applies only to expanded nodes. For details, see Filter database objects.
Group database objects in folders¶
Use folders to organize connections:
- Right-click in the tree and select Create -> New Folder to add a new folder.
- Drag and drop connections or objects into folders to group them.
Tip
You can also create subfolders within existing folders to further organize your database objects.
Simple and advanced view¶
Switch between Simple, Advanced, or Custom view to control how much detail is shown in Database Navigator.
Use this option to simplify the tree or show all available objects, depending on your needs.
Info
For details, see Simple and advanced view.
Highlight object from editor¶
Use Link with editor button 
to highlight the object currently opened in
the SQL Editor or Data Editor in Database Navigator.
When enabled, Database Navigator selects and scrolls to the schema that contains the active object.
Toggle this option from the top toolbar of the Database Navigator.
Show all databases¶
Enable Show all databases in the connection settings to display all databases in Database Navigator.
Some databases (such as PostgreSQL) may show only the active database or a limited set of schemas by default.
Toolbar¶
The toolbar contains buttons for the most basic and frequently used commands:
| Icon | Menu item | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
Collapse All | Collapses all tree items to the root level. |
|
Link with editor | Syncs the selected item in active editor with schema in the Database Navigator. |
 |
Show all connections/Show connected only | Filters the tree to show either all connections or only connected ones. |
 |
Filter mode | Cycles through object filter levels: connections, catalogs and schemas, or individual objects. Read more |
 |
View menu | Opens additional options. Read more |
View menu¶
Click the View Menu button () in the upper-right corner of the Database Navigator panel to open additional options.
| Icon | Menu item | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
New Database Connection | Opens the connection wizard. |
 |
Driver Manager | Opens the driver manager for configuring drivers. |
| Active Project | Switches between projects. | |
 |
New Folder | Creates a new folder in the current project. |
|
Collapse All | Collapses all nodes in the tree. |
|
Link with editor | Syncs the selected object with the active editor tab. |
 |
Preferences | Opens DBeaver settings. |
 |
Refresh Projects | Reloads all projects and folders. |
Tip
Use the View Menu for project-level actions and layout options - it’s different from the context menu, which changes based on the selected object.
Context menu¶
Right-click an object in the Database Navigator tree to open its context menu. The menu shows different items depending on the database type and selected object.
| Menu item | Description |
|---|---|
| Create | Creates objects like connection, folder, and other. |
| Open folder | Opens the selected folder in a new view. |
| Copy | Copies the selected object. |
| Paste | Pastes the copied object into the selected folder or node. |
| Delete | Deletes the object. Warning: This action removes the object from the database or file system. It can't be undone. |
| Rename | Opens a dialog to rename the object. |
| Refresh | Refreshes the selected node and its children. |
| Connect | Connects to the database. |
| Invalidate/Reconnect | Reconnects if the connection is broken. |
| Disconnect | Disconnects from the database. |
| SQL Editor | Opens new script, last edited script for this connection. |
| Edit connection | Opens the connection settings. |
| Connection view | Lets you switch between Simple, Advanced, or Custom views. Read more |
View [object] |
Opens the object in a viewer. |
Edit [object] |
Opens the object in an editor. |
Create new [object] |
Starts creating a new object. |
| Filter | Opens filtering options for the selected object: - Hide [object]- Show only [object]- Configure [object] filter- Toggle filter - Clear filter Read more |
| Copy Advanced Info | Copies the object’s full name. |
| Read data in SQL console | Opens a console to preview data from the object. |
| Compare/Migrate | Opens the export wizard. |
| Generate SQL | Opens options to generate SQL statements: - SELECT- INSERT- UPDATE- DELETE- MERGE- DDL |
| Export Data | Opens the export wizard. |
| Import Data | Opens the import wizard. |
| Tools | Opens tools like Dashboards, Tasks, Backup and restore. |
Tip
The available menu items change depending on the selected object and database.
Navigator preferences¶
You can control how the Database Navigator behaves and displays objects. These settings are available in Window -> Preferences -> User Interface -> Navigator.
| Setting name | Description |
|---|---|
| Show connection host name | Show target database host name or tunnel host name next to the connection name |
| Show objects description | Shows object (table, column, etc.) description next to it |
| Show statistics info | Show statistics (e.g. table size) on the right side of navigator |
| Show action icons | Show action icons for database elements |
| Show placeholders for special folders | Show special folders (e.g. Scripts) even if they were not created yet |
| Folders first | Show folders before regular elements |
| Show child count in navigator | Display the number of children for expanded folders in the navigator tree |
| Order elements alphabetically | Order navigator nodes (not folders) alphabetically |
| Case-insensitive alphabetical sorting | Order navigator nodes without case sensitivity, for example, A,a,B,b |
| Set connection color for all elements | Color all elements according to connection type, otherwise set color only for connection node itself |
| Show object modifiers in tree | Show object modifiers (e.g. column data type) in the tree right after the name |
| Show tooltips | Show tooltips in navigator views |
| Show file contents in tooltips | Show file (e.g. SQL script) contents in tooltips |
| Show grid lines in lists | Displays grid lines between rows and columns in navigator and editor lists for better readability |
| Double-click on node | - Open Properties - opens the object properties tab - Expand / Collapse - expands or collapses the selected node in the tree |
| Double-click on connection | - Open Properties - opens the connection properties - Connect / Disconnect - connects or disconnects from the database - Open SQL Editor - opens the SQL Editor - Open new SQL Editor - opens a new SQL Editor tab - Expand / Collapse - expands or collapses the connection node |
| Default editor page | - Last opened - opens the editor on the page that was active last time - Properties - opens the Properties page - Data - opens the Data tab - Diagram - opens the Diagram tab |
| Expand navigator tree on connect | Expand the Navigator tree for active elements on connect |
| Save database navigator filter | Saves object filter specified in the database navigator view between application restarts |
| Elements fetch size | Children elements fetch size for long lists. Rest of elements can be read by double clicking on the last element |
| Restore navigator state up to depth | Restore navigator state on startup up to depth |
Tip
You can also configure these settings through preference files without opening the app. For details, see Manage application preferences.
Additional capabilities¶
Drag and drop from Database Navigator¶
You can drag objects from Database Navigator into the SQL Editor to quickly add their names to a query.
Note
After you drop an object, it stays selected in the editor. If you run the query right away, only the selected part runs - which often causes an error because it's not a complete query. Click in the editor to deselect the object before running the query.
Shortcuts¶
You can navigate, filter, and edit objects faster with keyboard shortcuts.
Info
For a full list, see Shortcuts.