Exploring Data

Overview

This guide walks you through exploring database collections, applying filters to find specific records, and navigating through large datasets in the Data Browser App.

Time Required: ~5 minutes Skill Level: Beginner

Prerequisites

Before starting:

• You have access to the Data Browser App within FlowState
• At least one collection contains data to explore
• You understand your collection schemas (or want to discover them)

Steps

Step 1: Open the Data Browser

Navigate to the Data Browser from the FlowState app launcher. The app opens with:

• Sidebar on the left showing all collections
• Empty main area prompting collection selection
• Navbar with connection mode toggle

Step 2: Select a Collection

Browse the sidebar to find the collection you want to explore:

1. Collections are listed alphabetically
2. Click on a collection name to select it
3. The collection highlights to show selection
4. Data loads automatically into the table

Common collections to explore:

Step 3: Understand the Data Table

Once data loads, examine the table structure:

Column Headers:

• Auto-generated from the schema and data
• Click any header to sort ascending
• Click again to sort descending
• Click a third time to clear sort

Data Cells:

• Display values with appropriate formatting
• Long text is truncated with ellipsis
• Click the expand icon to see full content
• Most cells are editable on click

Row Selection:

• Checkbox in the first column
• Select multiple rows for batch operations

Step 4: Add Your First Filter

To narrow down results, use the filter bar:

1. Click the Add Filter button above the table
2. A new filter row appears with three dropdowns

Step 5: Configure the Filter

Build your filter condition:

Select the Field:

1. Click the first dropdown (field selector)
2. Choose the field you want to filter on
3. Nested fields appear with dot notation (e.g., user.name)

Select the Operator:

1. Click the second dropdown (operator selector)

2. Choose how to compare the value:

   Operator	Use When
   Equals	Finding exact matches
   Not Equals	Excluding specific values
   Contains	Searching within text
   Greater Than	Comparing numbers/dates
   Exists	Finding documents with a field

Enter the Value:

1. The third control depends on field type:
   • Text input for strings/numbers
   • Dropdown for enum fields
   • Boolean selector for true/false fields
2. Type or select your filter value

Step 6: Apply Multiple Filters

Add additional filters to narrow results further:

1. Click Add Filter again
2. Configure the new filter condition
3. All filters combine with AND logic (all must match)

Example: Find all "In Progress" tasks assigned to a specific user:

Filter 1: status EQUALS "In Progress"
Filter 2: assigneeId EQUALS "user_abc123"

Step 7: Review and Adjust Results

After filters are applied:

• Results update automatically
• Pagination resets to page 1
• Total count updates in the pagination area
• Empty state shows if no matches found

To refine your search:

• Modify existing filters by changing their values
• Remove individual filters with the X button
• Clear all filters with the "Clear All" button

Step 8: Navigate Large Datasets

For collections with many documents:

Change Page Size:

1. Use the page size dropdown at the bottom
2. Options: 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500
3. Smaller sizes improve performance

Navigate Pages:

1. Use Previous/Next buttons
2. Page indicator shows current position
3. Total count helps estimate dataset size

Step 9: Explore Document Details

To see full details of a document:

View Large Fields:

1. Look for the expand icon in truncated cells
2. Click to open the content modal
3. JSON objects display formatted
4. Long text shows in full

View in Form:

1. Click the edit button on any row
2. The document form opens
3. All fields displayed in appropriate widgets
4. Cancel to close without changes

Example Workflows

Finding Tasks by Status

Goal: View all tasks that are blocked

Collection: tasks
Filter 1: status EQUALS "Blocked"

Finding Recent Documents

Goal: View documents created in the last week

Collection: (any)
Filter 1: createdAt GREATER_THAN "2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z"

Finding Documents Without a Value

Goal: Find tasks without an assignee

Collection: tasks
Filter 1: assigneeId NOT_EXISTS

Combining Multiple Conditions

Goal: Find high-priority tasks in progress for a specific project

Collection: tasks
Filter 1: status EQUALS "In Progress"
Filter 2: priority EQUALS "High"
Filter 3: projectId EQUALS "proj_xyz789"

Expected Results

After completing this workflow, you should be able to:

• Navigate between collections confidently
• Apply single and multiple filters effectively
• Find specific documents quickly
• Navigate through large datasets efficiently
• View full content of any document

Tips for Effective Data Exploration

1. Start Broad: Begin without filters to understand data distribution
2. Add Filters Incrementally: Add one filter at a time to see its effect
3. Use Sorting: Sort columns to find outliers or patterns
4. Check Empty Results: If filters return nothing, check for typos or overly restrictive conditions
5. Leverage Enums: Use dropdown values for consistent filtering on enum fields

Troubleshooting

Issue: Filters don't seem to work

Solution:

• Verify field name matches exactly (case-sensitive)
• Check value format matches field type
• Try clearing all filters and adding one at a time

Issue: Too many results to browse

Solution:

• Add more filters to narrow results
• Reduce page size for better performance
• Use sorting to bring relevant data to the top

Issue: Can't find a specific document

Solution:

• Try the "Contains" operator for partial text matches
• Check if the document might be in a different collection
• Verify the document exists using its known ID

Related Workflows

• Creating Documents - Add new records to collections
• Editing Documents - Modify existing document data
• Bulk Operations - Select and operate on multiple documents