Last updated: 2026-05-01
Schema Overview
Visualize your entire database schema with an interactive graph view. Schema Overview displays tables, views, stored procedures, and functions as nodes, with arrows showing foreign key relationships and object dependencies.
Supported databases: SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, and SQLite. (In the browser demo, Schema Overview currently supports SQLite only.)
Opening Schema Overview
There are several ways to open Schema Overview:
From Toolbar
- Click the Overview button in the main toolbar
- Select the database you want to visualize
- The schema graph loads automatically
From Object Explorer
- Right-click any database in Object Explorer
- Select View Schema Overview
- The selected database's schema opens in a new tab
Keyboard Shortcut
Press Cmd+Shift+O (macOS) / Ctrl+Shift+O (Windows/Linux) to open Schema Overview for the active database.
Understanding the Graph
Schema Overview displays your database structure as an interactive node graph:
Node Types
Each database object is represented by a node with a distinctive icon and color:
| Object Type | Icon | Color | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tables | Grid icon | Blue | Database tables with their column count |
| Views | Eye icon | Green | Virtual tables based on queries |
| Stored Procedures | Code icon | Purple | Executable SQL procedures |
| Functions | Function icon | Orange | Scalar and table-valued functions |
Relationship Arrows
Arrows between nodes indicate relationships:
- Foreign Key (solid arrow) - Points from child table to parent table
- Dependency (dashed arrow) - Shows when a view or procedure references another object
- Loose relationship (dashed blue arrow) - User-declared column→column reference without a real database FK constraint. Manage these from Table Explorer's MetaInfo dialog (Link2 button in the toolbar) or by picking
lookupon a non-FK filter column. See the dedicated Loose Foreign Keys guide for the full workflow and Export / Import.
Node Information
Each node displays:
- Object name - The table, view, or procedure name
- Schema - The schema prefix (e.g.,
dbo) - Column/parameter count - Number of columns (tables) or parameters (procedures)
Hover over a node to see additional details in a tooltip.
Navigating the Graph
Use these controls to explore your schema:
Pan and Zoom
- Pan - Click and drag on empty space to move the view
- Zoom In - Scroll up or click the
+button - Zoom Out - Scroll down or click the
-button - Fit to Screen - Click the Fit button to show all nodes
Selection
- Click - Select a single node (highlights its relationships)
- Ctrl+Click / Cmd+Click - Add to selection
- Double-click - Open the object in a new tab
Center on Selection
After selecting a node, click Center in the toolbar to center the view on the selected object and its relationships.
Filtering the View
Large schemas can be overwhelming. Use filters to focus on specific objects:
Filter by Object Type
Use the filter dropdown to show specific object types:
- All - Show all objects (default)
- Tables - Show only tables and their relationships
- Views - Show only views and their dependencies
- Procedures - Show only stored procedures
- Functions - Show only functions
Search Objects
- Type in the Search box to find objects by name
- Matching nodes are highlighted in the graph
- Press
Enterto center on the first match - Use arrows to navigate between multiple matches
Hide/Show Relationships
Toggle relationship visibility using the toolbar buttons:
- Show FK - Toggle foreign key relationship arrows
- Show Dependencies - Toggle dependency arrows
Schema Statistics
The statistics panel shows a summary of your database schema:
Object Counts
- Total tables
- Total views
- Total stored procedures
- Total functions
Relationship Summary
- Total foreign key relationships
- Tables with no relationships (isolated)
- Most connected table (highest FK count)
Exporting the Diagram
Export your schema visualization for documentation or sharing:
Export Formats
- PNG - Raster image at high resolution
- SVG - Vector format for scaling without quality loss
Export Options
- Export visible - Export only the current view
- Export all - Export the entire schema (may be large)
- Include legend - Add a color/icon legend to the export
Tips and Tricks
Understanding Complex Schemas
- Start with Tables filter to see the core data structure
- Use search to find specific tables quickly
- Click a table to highlight only its direct relationships
Documenting Your Schema
- Export filtered views (tables only, specific area)
- Use SVG format for diagrams in documentation
- Combine with Schema Compare for change documentation
Frequently asked questions
What is Schema Overview in Jam SQL Studio?
Schema Overview is a visual graph view that displays your database structure including tables, views, stored procedures, and functions. It shows relationships between objects with arrows indicating foreign keys and dependencies.
How do I view foreign key relationships in Schema Overview?
Foreign key relationships are shown as arrows connecting tables. The arrow points from the referencing table (child) to the referenced table (parent). Hover over an arrow to see the relationship details including the column names.
Can I filter the schema diagram to show only tables?
Yes, use the filter dropdown to show only specific object types. You can filter to show All objects, Tables only, Views only, Procedures only, or Functions only. This helps simplify complex schemas.
How do I navigate to a specific table in Schema Overview?
Use the search box to find and highlight specific objects by name. You can also click any node in the graph to select it, and double-click to open that object in a new tab (table explorer for tables, script view for procedures).
Can I export the schema diagram as an image?
Yes, click the Export button in the Schema Overview toolbar and choose PNG or SVG format. The diagram is exported at high resolution suitable for documentation or presentations.
Ready to Visualize Your Schema?
Download Jam SQL Studio and see your database structure at a glance.