Understand
Determine the Best Method to Locate Objects
Toad offers a number of features to assist you in locating objects. The following table provides guidelines based on typical use cases:
|
If you know the.... |
Use this... |
|---|---|
|
Column name, but do not know the table name |
Use Object Search |
|
String of DDL for an object | |
|
Dependency for an object |
Uses and Used By tabs in the Database Explorer, and then drill-down to the object from there |
|
Criteria for excluding objects |
Filter feature in the Object Explorer |
Object Explorer
You can view database objects for the current connection with the Object Explorer. This feature is useful for dragging and dropping database objects into an open Editor, Query Builder, or other document window. Right-click the objects in the Object Explorer to access additional features such as multiple tasks and actions.
To open the Object Explorer
- Select View | Object Explorer.
-
Review the following for additional information:
Schema (first field)
Select the schema you want to view. You can filter the list of schemas that display. See Filter Databases and Objects for more information.
Object Filter (second field)
You can quickly set a filter in this field. To do so, enter a name or partial name of an object and press ENTER. Any advanced object filters you set display in this field.
You can also perform advanced filtering based on case sensitivity, statistics, or other options. See Filter Databases and Objects for more information.
Tip: You can enable an option to filter using regular expressions in Tools | Options | Explorer | General.
Note: For tables and views, the columns, data types, and comments display at the bottom of this window.
Tips:
- To navigate to a previously selected object, click
. You can also click
to move to the next selected object.
- To locate objects including procedures, functions, views, variable names and comments in an object's source code, use Object Search. See Search for Objects for more information.
- To use a different method to select objects such as tabs, drop-downs, or a tree view, click
.
- To generate reports, export data, create SQL statements, or send objects to the Project Manager, SQL Modeler, or Master Detail windows, right-click the objects and select an option.
- To open the Background Processes window and cancel a query, click the progress bar at the bottom of the window.
Filter Databases and Objects
Toad allows you to filter the list of databases or objects that display in the Object Explorer. You can use filters to reduce the number of databases and/or objects to work with.
Types of Filters
You can create a Quick filter by entering a search string in the object filter field. You can also use the Filter dialog (click 
| Filter Type | Description | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Quick (unnamed) |
Can be used to quickly filter objects for a single connection or schema. Create a Quick filter by entering a search string in the object filter field. |
Applies to the current schema (or to objects in the current schema) only. Once applied, a Quick filter is in effect on that connection when you reconnect or relaunch Toad. Because Quick filters are not named, they cannot be applied to other connections by selecting from the filter list. You must recreate the Quick filter for each connection/schema. |
| Detailed (unnamed) |
Use like a Quick filter, but add more detail by using the Filter dialog to enter filter criteria. Use this method to create an unnamed database filter. |
-- same behavior as a Quick filter -- |
| Named | Create and save named filters to reuse and to apply to other connections |
Once applied, a Named filter is in effect when you reconnect or relaunch Toad. Can be re-used on other connections of the same data source type (DBMS). |
Note: If you rename a table that has a filter defined, it results in an orphaned filter. Orphaned filters are automatically removed unless you used a tool other than Toad to remove them.
Before Creating a Filter
A filter is associated with a specific list of objects from a specific database. Consider the following guidelines when setting filters:
-
A filter applied to a set of objects such as tables in one specific database connection is not automatically applied to the list of objects in another database connection.
-
A filter applied to a list of tables on one schema in the database is not automatically applied to the list of tables for a different schema in the same database.
-
A filter set for a specific schema or object is applied when altering objects, using the SQL Editor, Master Detail Browser, etc., for that schema or object.
Tip: To apply any currently-set filters to the code completion list in the editor, select the Apply explorer filters option in Tools | Options | Editor | Code Completion.
Create Filters
To create a Quick filter (objects only)
-
Enter a search string to use for filtering in the object filter field (below the database field) in the Object Explorer.
Note: As you enter a search string, the currently specified Search Condition displays in a blue banner below the object filter field. This Search Condition will be used in your filter. To change the Search Condition, click
To create a Detailed filter
- Click
-
Specify criteria for the filter in the Properties tab. Review the following for additional information:
Search String Enter a text string and search characters to use for filtering. Search Condition Select a search type to use in this filter.
Note: You can set a default value for this field in Tools | Options | Explorer | General. If you don't specify a default value in Options, this field defaults to the search type you specified the last time you created or modified a filter (includes previous sessions).
Tip: To include in your text string certain characters normally used in search logic, such as the underscore (_), use one of the following Search Conditions:
- Contains (Exact)
- Starts With (Exact)
- End With (Exact)
Case Sensitive In DB2 connections, this property is set to True by default.
- To create custom SQL, select the SQL tab and then select the Enable custom SQL option. Modify the existing SQL. (The existing SQL reflects the criteria you specified in the Properties tab).
- Select the Preview tab to review the list of databases or objects that are selected based on your filter criteria.
To create a Named filter
- Click
- Enter a name for the filter and click
. Creating a name for the filter allows you to use it on other database connections.
Creating a new Quick filter from a current filter
- If you apply a filter and then enter a search string into the object filter field without completely clearing the current filter in the field, the new search string is applied, as well as the properties specified for the old filter.
-
If you apply a filter and then completely clear the object filter field before entering a new search string, all properties return to the default values.
Note: The Search Condition also returns to the default value. This default is either the Search Condition you specified the last time you created or modified a filter or it is the new default you specified in Options.
Use Filters
To use Named filters
- To apply a Named filter, click the down-arrow beside
-
To clear a Named filter, click the down-arrow beside
and select <None>.
-
To determine if a filter is applied, observe the filter icon.
Icon
Indicates
No filter is applied (all databases/objects display).
A filter is applied.
Import/Export Filters
You can export all named filters and you can export all filters defined for the current connection.
-
To export Named filters or all filters defined for the current connection, click the down-arrow beside
- To import filters previously exported from Toad, click the down-arrow beside
Tip: Click 