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1.1 (stable)
DBeaver SQL IDE

DBeaver is a powerful and popular desktop sql editor and integrated development environment (IDE). It has both an open source and enterprise version. It is useful for visually inspecting the available tables in DuckDB and for quickly building complex queries. DuckDB's JDBC connector allows DBeaver to query DuckDB files, and by extension, any other files that DuckDB can access (like Parquet files).

Installing DBeaver

  1. Install DBeaver using the download links and instructions found at their download page.

  2. Open DBeaver and create a new connection. Either click on the “New Database Connection” button or go to Database > New Database Connection in the menu bar.

    DBeaver New Database Connection DBeaver New Database Connection Menu

  3. Search for DuckDB, select it, and click Next.

    DBeaver Select Database Driver

  4. Enter the path or browse to the DuckDB database file you wish to query. To use an in-memory DuckDB (useful primarily if just interested in querying Parquet files, or for testing) enter :memory: as the path.

    DBeaver Set Path

  5. Click “Test Connection”. This will then prompt you to install the DuckDB JDBC driver. If you are not prompted, see alternative driver installation instructions below.

    DBeaver Test Connection

  6. Click “Download” to download DuckDB's JDBC driver from Maven. Once download is complete, click “OK”, then click “Finish”.
    • Note: If you are in a corporate environment or behind a firewall, before clicking download, click the “Download Configuration” link to configure your proxy settings.

    DBeaver Download Driver Files

  7. You should now see a database connection to your DuckDB database in the left hand “Database Navigator” pane. Expand it to see the tables and views in your database. Right click on that connection and create a new SQL script.

    DBeaver New SQL Script

  8. Write some SQL and click the “Execute” button.

    DBeaver Execute Query

  9. Now you're ready to fly with DuckDB and DBeaver!

    DBeaver Query Results

Alternative Driver Installation

  1. If not prompted to install the DuckDB driver when testing your connection, return to the “Connect to a database” dialog and click “Edit Driver Settings”.

    DBeaver Edit Driver Settings

  2. (Alternate) You may also access the driver settings menu by returning to the main DBeaver window and clicking Database > Driver Manager in the menu bar. Then select DuckDB, then click Edit.

    DBeaver Driver Manager DBeaver Driver Manager Edit

  3. Go to the “Libraries” tab, then click on the DuckDB driver and click “Download/Update”. If you do not see the DuckDB driver, first click on “Reset to Defaults”.

    DBeaver Edit Driver

  4. Click “Download” to download DuckDB's JDBC driver from Maven. Once download is complete, click “OK”, then return to the main DBeaver window and continue with step 7 above.

    • Note: If you are in a corporate environment or behind a firewall, before clicking download, click the “Download Configuration” link to configure your proxy settings.

    DBeaver Download Driver Files 2