Use Visual Explain to diagnose performance issues with your database.

What is Visual Explain?

Visual Explain is an interactive diagnostic feature that transforms raw, hard-to-read database execution plans into graphical flowcharts or tree diagrams. The feature works with any supported database that also supports the SQL Explain command.

Visual Explain is a part of the Valentina Studio SQL Editor. You can try it in the free version, but Valentina Studio PRO supports unlimited use.

Visual Explain is a graphical tool in database software that turns a query execution plan into an interactive diagram or flow chart, making it easy to see how a database processes an SQL statement and spot performance problems. Different databases can produce different results because their underlying database engines, optimization strategies, and execution terminologies are fundamentally distinct.

What is the EXPLAIN Command?

The EXPLAIN command in SQL shows how the database plans to run your query. Instead of actually getting the data, it reveals the steps the database will take — like which indexes it will use, how much each step might cost, and the order in which it will process things. This helps you understand why a query is slow and what you can change to make it faster.

Why use Visual Explain?

• Finds bottlenecks: Shows you which parts of a query take a long time — like when the database has to scan an entire table or when an index is missing.
• Makes results easier to understand: Turns confusing text output or raw JSON into a simple visual diagram you can follow step by step.
• Helps speed things up: Gives developers the clues they need to rewrite or tune a query so it runs faster and uses fewer resources.

Learn More About Visual Explain

Read more about the Visual Explain feature in languages other than English on the Paradigma Software website.