How to: Use the Explorer to Examine Databases
[This content is no longer valid. For the latest information on "M", "Quadrant", SQL Server Modeling Services, and the Repository, see the Model Citizen blog.]
The explorer is the component for finding and examining tables and schemas in Microsoft code name “Quadrant”. Using the explorer, you can browse the database node for collections of records and schemas. In addition to the database node, you can also browse Folders found in the repository. For more information about Folders, see How to: Use Folders to Organize Data
This tutorial uses sample data that must be installed. For more information, see How to: Install the "Quadrant" Sample Data.
To open the explorer
If it is not already open, start “Quadrant”.
If you have not connected to the Repository database before, use the steps outlined in How to: Connect to a SQL Server Database with "Quadrant" to connect to the Repository database.
You can also use the steps outlined in How to: Connect to a SQL Server Database with "Quadrant" to connect to any database of your choice
If you have connected to the Repository database before, on the View menu, click Explorer, and click Repository. The explorer opens in the “Quadrant” workspace.
The first node in the explorer is the Database. When you successfully connect to any database, the Database node is present. The Database is simply a list of all schemas and tables found in the database you have connected to.
Expand the Database node. You see a list of schemas, which contain individual tables.
Collapse the Database node. Now expand the Organization Folder. You see a list of subfolders that contain records that are associated with different Folders.
Note the difference between the Database and Folder icons. In databases with Modeling Services support, you can organize data into folders. For more information, see How to: Use Folders to Organize Data.
Use the steps outlined in How to: Examine Data in Detail to open a table and examine its records.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Use Folders to Organize Data
How to: Examine Data in Detail
How to: Find Related Data
How to: Create a New and Nested Folder
How to: Add Items to a Folder