The Lake tree

The Lake tree is the explorer in the Lake's left panel: find a datasource and everything under it, read the state of each item at a glance, and act on a row without leaving the screen. The tree keeps itself up to date while you work.

See how rows nest

Rows build from the top down: Folder > Datasource > Database > Schema > Table > Column. A datasource that is not in a folder sits at the top level.
Each row starts with an icon for its kind: a folder, a datasource's own logo, a database, a schema, a table or a column. A custom table shows a code icon of its own.
The tree also has a workflows shape. There, rows nest Datasource > Workflow > Tables, and only datasources that have a workflow appear. The shape you used last returns while you work in the Lake. See Workflows in the Lake.
Order: folders first, then datasources. Top-level datasources are ordered by their source type and then by name; every group lists its children by name. Columns are the exception: they are not sorted, and keep their own order.
A table row shows the table's name in its source; when the record has no source name, it shows the table's name in the Lake.
A row that holds items shows a count beside its name. Above 99 it reads 99+; point at it to read the exact number.
While the tree loads it shows Loading menu. With nothing to show, it reads No items to display; when filters hide everything, it reads No items match the current filters.
To jump straight to an item by name, use the search box above the tree. See Search and filter the Lake.

Read a datasource's badge

A ready datasource shows no badge. Other states show one beside the name:

Badge	Meaning
Failed (red)	The last operation failed. Click it to open Error Details and copy the message. Its tooltip reads Click to open error logs, and the click does not select the row.
Error (red)	The source reported an error. It shows in the same red as Failed; only Failed opens error logs.
Stopped (grey)	You stopped a sync. Nothing is broken.
Processing	The datasource is working, for example during a sync.
Installing	A custom connector is being installed.
Pending	A custom connector is waiting for its setup or a confirmation.
Idle (grey)	The tree stopped checking a datasource that stayed Processing for about three and a half minutes. Use Refresh to check it again.
Unknown	An unrecognised state shows the text the source sent; when that text is empty, the chip reads Unknown.

A datasource that holds no tables shows one more thing. If its setup is not finished, the row reads Setup incomplete with Continue; click Continue to reopen its form and finish the setup. A ready one instead shows the Import tables link, which opens the source panel beside the tree. See Import tables. While the datasource is Processing, Installing or Failed, its state badge takes the place of both.

For the messages behind a failed datasource, see Lake troubleshooting.

Read the icons and column marks

Icon colours show state:

A table with no primary key shows a red icon.
A table that is not deployed shows an orange icon.
A datasource, database or schema shows an orange icon while it holds a table you can still deploy. When no table under it can be deployed and a table lacks a primary key, it shows a red icon. A group counts as deployed, and as having a primary key, only when every table under it does.

Column rows carry their own marks:

A struck-through column is not migrated. Point at it to read the tooltip, which ends with - not migrated.
A faded column is not synced; its tooltip ends with - not synced.
A Key icon marks a primary-key column.

These flags come from the table's column setup. See Set up a table's columns.

Expand and collapse rows

A row with items under it shows a chevron. Click the chevron or the row to open it; click again to close it.
When a group holds a single chain, the tree opens it for you: one folder holding one datasource, then one database, then one schema, opens down to the tables in one go. A group with several items opens one level at a time.
Expand all opens every folder, datasource, database, schema and workflow group; tables stay closed, so the panel does not flood with columns. Collapse all closes every open row.
Rows you open stay as you left them while you work in the Lake, and return in the same session.

Click, mark and open rows

Clicking a row marks it. The marked row is what the toolbar actions use while batch select is off.
Clicking a row that has children also opens or closes it. On a datasource or a table, the row only opens after a short pause, so the first click of a double-click does not open it.
Double-click a datasource or a table to open it for editing: a datasource opens in its tab, a table opens its editor. This is the same as Edit in the right-click menu.
With Batch select on, a click ticks the item and everything under it instead. Only datasources, databases, schemas, tables and workflows can be ticked. See Batch edit and organise.
While a delete runs, its row shows a spinner and ignores clicks and keys until the delete settles.

Use the right-click menu

Right-click a row to open its menu. The items depend on what the row is and what state it is in, and most items show a keyboard shortcut at the right edge.

Item	What it does	Appears on
Sync Schema	Re-reads tables and columns from the source and detects newly added schema objects.	A datasource that is not Processing, Installing or Pending.
Stop Sync	Stops the running sync.	A datasource that is Processing.
Refresh	Reloads the schema shown in the Lake without contacting the source.	A datasource, database, schema or table.
Add New	Opens an editor for a new custom table.	A datasource that is ready and supports custom tables, or a database or schema under a datasource that supports them.
View Source	Opens the source panel beside the tree, for importing tables.	A ready datasource, or a database or schema of one.
Show Workflows	Opens the Lake's Workflows view with this datasource.	A datasource or a workflow.
Edit	Opens the item for editing.	A datasource or a table.
Duplicate	Opens the connection form; its save button reads Duplicate.	A datasource whose type can be copied.
Batch Edit	Opens the Batch Edit Tables grid for the datasource.	A ready datasource.
Deploy	Deploys the tables under the item, after a confirmation.	A table that is not deployed and has a primary key, or a datasource, database or schema that holds such tables.
Delete	Removes the item, after a confirmation. This cannot be undone.	Everything except workflow items. A folder offers only Delete.

The three data items carry an information tip (ⓘ) with the detail:

Sync Schema: Re-syncs tables and columns from the source and detects newly added schema objects.
Stop Sync: Aborts the running sync and restores the data to its state before the sync started - nothing partial is kept. Re-syncing afterwards works normally.
Refresh: Refreshes the schema shown in Lake without syncing it again from the source.

While one of these runs, its own item greys out: Synchronizing…, Stopping… or Refreshing….

What each action needs in permissions is listed in Who can do what in the Lake.

Move around with the keyboard

Give a row focus by clicking it, or press Tab until it is focused.
Press Space to open or close a row that has children. On a datasource or a table, Enter opens the item for editing; on other rows, Enter opens or closes them.
Press ArrowRight to open a closed row and ArrowLeft to close an open one.
Keyboard shortcuts for menu items work on the marked row; the key works even before you open the menu for that row. The full shortcut list is on The Lake screen.

Questions, answered

Why is a table icon red or orange?

A red icon means the table has no primary key. An orange icon means the table is not deployed yet. The same colours appear one level up: a datasource, database or schema is orange while it holds a table you can still deploy, and red when no table under it can be deployed and one lacks a primary key.

What does the number next to a row mean?

It counts the items inside that row, for example the tables in a schema or the columns in a table. Above 99 the badge reads 99+. Point at it to read the exact count, such as 120 items.

In what order are the rows listed?

Folders come first, then datasources. Folders sort by name, and top-level datasources by their source type and then by name. Inside a group, items are ordered by name, except the columns under a table, which keep their own order.

Why does a table row show the name from my database?

The tree labels each table with its name in the source, so rows match the tables you know from the database. When the record carries no source name, the row falls back to the table's name in the Lake.

Why did several levels open at once?

When every step down holds just one item, opening the first step opens the whole chain, all the way to the tables. A group with several items opens one level at a time.

Why is Stop Sync missing from the menu most of the time?

Stop Sync is offered only while the datasource shows Processing, because only a sync that is running can be stopped. Once it ends, the item is gone; run Sync Schema on the datasource to start a new one. If the sync ends just before your click lands, nothing is wrong: the tree refreshes and shows the new state. See Run, stop and troubleshoot loads.

What does the small i beside a menu item tell me?

It marks an item with an explanation. Point at the ⓘ to read what the action does and what happens to your data, for example that Stop Sync restores the data to its state before the sync started. Sync Schema, Stop Sync and Refresh carry these tips.

Why does right-clicking a column do nothing?

Columns have no right-click menu. To work on a column, open its table and use the table's column setup. See Set up a table's columns.

What is the difference between a single click and a double-click on a row?

A single click marks the row and opens or closes it when it has children. A double-click on a datasource or a table opens it for editing, the same as Edit in the right-click menu. On those two kinds of row, the first click pauses briefly, so the first half of a double-click does not open the row.

Does the tree remember which rows I opened?

Yes, within a session. The rows you open, the shape you used and the row you last marked stay as you left them while you work in the Lake, and return when you come back in the same session. A new session starts collapsed.