# 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

## 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)

### 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.

## 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

### 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.

## 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

### JSON and Arrays

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

### 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

### 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

- [Search for specific records](/content/docs/features/search/index.html)
- [Filter data with conditions](/content/docs/features/filtering/index.html)
- [Customize your table layout](/content/docs/features/layouts/index.html)