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Query Tabs

TablePro uses a tabbed interface for working with multiple queries and tables simultaneously. Each tab maintains its own SQL content, results, pagination, sorting, and filter state, so you can switch between tasks without losing context.

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Overview

Tabs are the primary workspace in TablePro. When you connect to a database, you can open as many tabs as you need. Tabs persist across app restarts, and each connection remembers its own set of tabs.

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Tab Types

TablePro supports three types of tabs, each designed for a different workflow:

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Query Tabs

Query tabs are general-purpose SQL editors. Use them for:

• Writing and running ad-hoc queries
• Exploring data with custom SELECT statements
• Running DDL or DML operations
• Testing queries before adding them to your application

Query tabs start with an empty editor. Type your SQL and press Cmd+Enter to execute.

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Table Tabs

Table tabs are opened when you click a table name in the sidebar. They provide:

• Automatic SELECT * FROM table LIMIT n query generation
• Server-side pagination with page navigation controls
• Inline editing with change tracking
• Structure view toggle for viewing/modifying table schema
• Filter support for narrowing results

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Smart Tab Reuse

When you click a table in the sidebar, TablePro uses smart tab management (similar to TablePlus):

• Same table: Switches to the existing tab (no new query executed)
• Different table, clean tab: Replaces the current table tab if it has no unsaved changes and no user interaction
• Different table, dirty tab: Opens a new tab to preserve your work

This keeps the tab bar clean while protecting your changes.

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Managing Tabs

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Creating Tabs

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Closing Tabs

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Switching Tabs

Click any tab in the tab bar to switch to it, or use keyboard shortcuts:

• Cmd+1 through Cmd+9 to jump to a tab by position
• Cmd+Shift+[ or Cmd+Option+Left for the previous tab
• Cmd+Shift+] or Cmd+Option+Right for the next tab

The previous tab’s state is fully preserved, including:

• SQL editor content and cursor position
• Query results
• Scroll position in the data grid
• Selected rows
• Sort and filter state
• Pending changes

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Reordering Tabs

Drag any tab to a new position in the tab bar to reorder it. A blue insertion indicator shows where the tab will be placed when you drop it. The tab bar scrolls horizontally when there are more tabs than can fit in the available space. The selected tab is automatically scrolled into view.

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Pinning Tabs

Pin important tabs to prevent accidental closure:

1. Right-click the tab
2. Select Pin Tab
3. A pin icon appears on the tab

Pinned tabs:

• Cannot be closed via the close button, Cmd+W, or the context menu
• Are not closed when you select Close Other Tabs
• Are not replaced when clicking a different table in the sidebar
• Remain open across sessions

To unpin, right-click and select Unpin Tab.

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Duplicating Tabs

To create a copy of an existing tab:

1. Right-click the tab
2. Select Duplicate Tab
3. A new tab opens with the same query content and results

The duplicated tab is inserted immediately after the original.

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Tab State

Each tab stores a comprehensive set of state that is preserved when switching between tabs.

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State Properties

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Per-Tab Change Tracking

Each tab maintains its own pending changes. When you switch to a different tab:

1. The current tab’s changes are saved to the tab’s pendingChanges property
2. The change manager loads the new tab’s pending changes
3. Visual indicators update to reflect the new tab’s state

This means you can have pending edits in multiple tabs simultaneously without interference.

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Tab Persistence

Tabs persist across app restarts so you can pick up exactly where you left off.

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What Is Persisted

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How Persistence Works

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Last Query Memory

TablePro also remembers the last query text for each connection, similar to TablePlus. Even if you close all tabs, the last query is preserved and can be restored when you create a new tab.

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Pagination in Tabs

TablePro uses different pagination strategies depending on the tab type.

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Table Tabs (Server-Side Pagination)

Table tabs use SQL LIMIT and OFFSET for pagination:

• Only the current page of data is loaded from the database
• Page navigation triggers a new query
• Default page size is configurable in Settings > Data Grid

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Query Tabs (Client-Side Pagination)

Query tabs execute the full query and receive all results. For large result sets, TablePro applies client-side pagination:

• Results are stored in memory
• Pagination slices the result array without re-querying
• Sorting is done locally on the cached results

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Page Size Configuration

Configure the default page size in Settings > Data Grid:

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Tab Context Menu

Right-click any tab to access the context menu:

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Keyboard Shortcuts

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Best Practices

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Organize by Task

Use separate tabs for different tasks: one for exploring data, another for writing migration queries, another for testing. This keeps your workspace organized.

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Pin Important Tabs

Pin tabs containing queries you refer to frequently. This prevents them from being accidentally closed.

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Use Table Tabs for Browsing

When you just need to look at data, click the table in the sidebar to open a table tab. This gives you pagination, editing, and structure view without writing SQL.

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Use Query Tabs for Complex Work

For joins, aggregations, subqueries, and multi-statement operations, use query tabs. The SQL editor gives you full control over what executes.

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Close Unused Tabs

While tabs are lightweight, closing tabs you no longer need keeps the tab bar clean and makes it easier to find what you are looking for.

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Next Steps