---
title: Understand your SQL exploration
slug: analytics/docs/understand-your-sql-exploration
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-20T15:44:58.774Z
---

The SQL Explorer UI has the following configurations:

:::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"}
[Catalog](docId\:CyCTsWjksooguecCG1uHo)
:::

:::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"}
[Query Builder](docId\:CyCTsWjksooguecCG1uHo)
:::

:::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"}
[Visualization module](docId\:CyCTsWjksooguecCG1uHo)
:::

## Catalog[​](http://localhost:3000/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/interpret_sql_explore#catalog)

The **Catalog** for an application is a repository of metadata objects arranged in folders. Users can see portions of the Catalog based on their permissions.

![opti-sql-3.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/drHr2QkoyPuhm4HRTmUat-20260720-144903.png)

In the SQL Explorer, use the **Catalog** section to browse and select data for exploration in the following ways:

- Double-click the columns in the tree-view.
- Drag and drop the columns into the [Query Builder.](docId\:CyCTsWjksooguecCG1uHo)
- Click **More** (**...**) next to each catalog item and select an option.

You can use **Show**/**Hide Catalog** to adjust the view based on your preference.

![opti-sql-4.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/T7dqxW8CffefhYvO1kMb3-20260720-144903.png)

## Query builder[​](http://localhost:3000/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/interpret_sql_explore#query-builder)

The query builder provides a query shelf that lets you add the SQL query for exploration. An auto-complete feature lets you add objects quickly.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

In an SQL exploration, single quotes (') are a string literal and double quotes (") are an identifier (that is, column name).
:::

![opti-sql-5.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/kXTl4FddCNOUBqplVr1Wv-20260720-144903.png)

## Visualization Module

The Visualization module lets you view the results of executing the defined query. It also lets you edit the visualization section, examine the underlying SQL query, and add the chart to a dashboard.

![sql-viz-module-009ac8dfcbdbc8d548c587c1e64b0bf8.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/tCy8O0bLsrvHuneI2ij2D-20260720-144903.png)

### Edit the visualization section

Click **More** **(⋮)** to display a drop-down list with the following options:

- **Inspect Query** – Opens a query inspector with the following tabs.

  - **SQL**
  - **Warehouse SQL**
  - **NetScript**

  :::hint{type="info"}
  **Note**

  You can change the SQL and NetScript queries by clicking the **Open as SQL Explore** and **Open as NetScript Explore** buttons in the respective sections.
  :::
- **Add to Dashboard​** – Add your exploration to a dashboard.
  - **Pick a dashboard**
  - **New Dashboard**
- **Edit visualization** – Contains the following chart settings.
  - **Visualization** –
    - Automatic refresh for your chart
    - Chart type
    - X-axis and Y-axis configuration
    - Tooltip
    - Size configuration
  - **Sorting** –
    - Enable the sorting option on the graph
    - Configure sorting rules and the limit
- **Download As**​ - Download your analysis in **CSV** or **EXCEL** format. The column formatting is preserved for the downloaded files as well.

  ![opti-sql-6.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/sFCly9huRwQs4oC9oo-zh-20260720-144903.png)