Using DbVisualizer with Lakebase Postgres

DbVisualizer is a universal SQL client and database management tool for connecting to, querying, visualizing, and managing data across more than 50 databases, including Postgres, Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, and others. This guide walks you through setting up and using DbVisualizer with Lakebase Postgres.

Table of Contents

• Setting up DbVisualizer
• Create a database on Neon
• Connecting DbVisualizer to your database on Neon
• Basic operations in DbVisualizer

Setting up DbVisualizer

1. Download and install DbVisualizer: If you haven't already, download DbVisualizer from the official website. Choose the version suitable for your operating system and follow the installation instructions.

2. Launch DbVisualizer: Open DbVisualizer from your applications menu.

Create a database on Neon

1. If you haven't already, create a new Neon project. You can use the Neon Console.

2. Retrieve connection details for your Lakebase Postgres database:

   • Click Connect in the Console nav to open the Connect to your branch modal.
   • Select your database and branch.
   • Select Parameters only to view the connection details.

   You will be provided with the following details:

   • PGHOST: The hostname of your Lakebase Postgres database.
   • PGDATABASE: The name of your database
   • PGUSER: Your database username.
   • PGPASSWORD: Your database password.

Save the connection details as you will need them in the next steps.

Connect DbVisualizer to your database on Neon

1. Open DbVisualizer: Open DbVisualizer and finish the setup if you haven't done so already.

2. Create a new database connection:

   • Click on the "+" icon in the top left corner to create a new database connection.
   • Search for "PostgreSQL" in the database type selection and select it.

3. Enter connection details:

   

   Fill in the required fields based on your Neon connection string:

   • Database Server: The endpoint of your hosted Postgres database. Enter the value of PGHOST you saved earlier from Neon.
   • Database Port: The port number. Enter 5432 (default for Postgres).
   • Database: The database name. Enter the value of PGDATABASE.
   • Database UserID: Your database username. Enter the value of PGUSER.
   • Database Password: Your database password. Enter the value of PGPASSWORD.

4. Test the connection:

   • Click the "Test Connection" button to verify the connection details.
   • Close the Test Connection dialog if the connection is successful and click Connect to establish the connection.

The sidebar will now display your connected Lakebase Postgres database. You can expand the database to view its schemas, tables, views, and other objects.

Basic operations in DbVisualizer

1. Running SQL queries

• Open a new SQL Commander tab
  Click the “+” icon in the upper‑left corner, or press ⌘ + T (Mac) / Ctrl + T (Windows / Linux).

• Select the target database and schema
  Choose the desired Database and Schema from the dropdown menus at the top of the tab so you query the correct environment.

• Write and run your query
  Type your SQL in the editor and click the Execute button (the play icon).

• View results
  The query output appears in the results pane beneath the editor.

  

• Save a query
  Click the Save icon, give the query a name, and confirm by clicking Save.

• Open a saved query
  Go to Files → Bookmarks, then select the query you want to load.

2. Managing tables and databases

• Expand your database connection in the left sidebar, then navigate to "Databases" > "neondb" > "Schemas" > "public" > "Tables".
• Right-click on "Tables" to create a new table or manage existing ones (e.g., view, edit, or drop tables).
• Similarly, you can manage other database objects like databases, schemas, views, and procedures by right-clicking on them in the sidebar.

3. Importing and exporting data

• To import data:
  • Right-click on a table and select "Import Data".
  • Choose the source file (e.g., CSV) and follow the prompts to map the columns.
• To export data:
  • Right-click on a table and select "Export Data".
  • Choose the format (e.g., CSV, JSON) and follow the prompts to save the file.

Conclusion

You have connected DbVisualizer to your Lakebase Postgres database and learned how to perform basic operations such as running SQL queries, managing tables, and importing/exporting data.

The DbVisualizer Pro version adds features like Git integration for version controlling your scripts and charting tools to visualize your data directly from query result sets. See the resources below for more.

Resources

• DbVisualizer documentation
• Getting the most out of the DbVisualizer GUI
• Working with tables in DbVisualizer