Visualize and auto-complete database relationships

Xano's no-code platform makes it easy to visualize and manage table relationships, allowing you to build complex data models and APIs without writing a single line of code. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of understanding and customizing table references, enabling you to create powerful data-driven applications effortlessly.

Understanding Table Relationships

In Xano, tables are the building blocks of your data model. They represent different entities or concepts in your application, such as users, products, orders, and more. Often, these tables are related to each other, forming relationships that define how data is connected and accessed.

For example, in an e-commerce application, you might have a `products` table and an `orders` table. Each order is associated with one or more products, establishing a one-to-many relationship between the two tables.

Visualizing Table Relationships

Xano provides a visual interface to help you understand and manage these relationships. Here's how you can access the table relationship view:

1. Navigate to the "Database" page in your Xano app.
2. You'll see a list of all the tables in your data model, along with their schemas (columns and data types).
3. In the top-right corner, toggle the "Table References" option.

With Table References enabled, you'll see a visual representation of how your tables are connected. Arrows will indicate the relationships between tables, and you can quickly identify which columns are used as foreign keys to establish these connections.

Customizing Table References

One of the powerful features of Xano is the ability to customize how table references are displayed. This allows you to see the actual data from the referenced table, making it easier to understand and work with your data.

Let's say you have a `deals` table that references the `merchants` table via a `merchant_id` column. Here's how you can customize the display of the merchant data:

1. Go to the `deals` table and locate the `merchant_id` column.
2. Click on the column to reveal the table reference.
3. By default, Xano displays the first text column from the referenced table, along with the ID.
4. To customize the displayed data, go to the referenced table (in this case, `merchants`).
5. Click on the menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner and select "Auto Complete."
6. Here, you can choose which columns you want to display in the table reference.
7. Click "Customize," select the desired columns, and hit "Save."

Now, when you go back to the `deals` table, the `merchant_id` column will display the data you've chosen from the `merchants` table, making it easier to understand the relationship between the two entities.

Searching and Filtering Table References

In addition to customizing the display, Xano also allows you to search and filter table references. This is particularly useful when working with large datasets or when you need to find specific records quickly.

When you click on a table reference column, Xano will provide an auto-complete dropdown. Here, you can:

• Use the arrow keys to navigate through the most recently added records.
• Start typing to search for records based on the displayed data (e.g., merchant name, description).
• Search for records by their ID, even if the ID is not displayed in the table reference.

This powerful search and filtering functionality makes it easy to work with related data, ensuring that you can quickly find and manage the information you need.

By mastering table relationships in Xano, you'll be able to create complex data models and APIs without the need for traditional coding. The visual interface, customization options, and search capabilities empower you to build data-driven applications with ease, regardless of your technical background.