# Results grid

A query result opens in a grid under the editor. The rows stay in the app's native layer and reach the window in pages, so a large result does not stall the interface.

## Where to find it

| Action | How |
| --- | --- |
| Read a result | The results pane under the editor |
| Switch between result sets | `Result 1`, `Result 2` and so on, above the grid |
| See one value in full | `Space`, or `Quick Look` in the context menu |
| Copy cells | `Copy`, `Copy cell value`, `Copy column values` and `Copy as` in the context menu |
| Export | `Export result...` above the grid, or `Export selection...` in the context menu |
| Cancel a running query | `Cancel`, `⌘.` (`Ctrl+.`) |

## Reading the grid

Each heading shows the column name with its database type beneath it. NULL appears as an italic `NULL`, never as an empty cell, and a JSON value carries a `{}` badge. The strip above the grid counts the stored rows, and the footer shows the row count, the time taken and the statement.

![Orders 25 to 64 in the grid, with a type under each column name, an italic NULL in shipping_address for order 31, and JSON addresses marked with a {} badge.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/results/01-orders-grid.png)

_Types sit under the column names, and NULL never looks like an empty string._

## Paging and large results

Rows reach the window 500 at a time as you scroll. A query collects at most 100,000 rows or 256 MB of values, whichever comes first, and `Maximum rows per query` and `Maximum result memory` in `Preferences` > `Data` change both limits. When a result reaches a limit, a banner says the query was stopped early, and the footer count gains a `+` and a `truncated` badge.

[The scrollbar is dragged down a 24,000-row cross join of order_items and books, and the grid jumps through rows in the thousands, briefly empty while each new page loads.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/video/results/02-paging.mp4)

_The grid loads rows in pages while the total is known from the start._

![A generate_series query stopped at 100,000 rows, with a banner reading Showing the first 100,000 rows and a truncated badge beside the row count in the footer.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/results/03-truncated.png)

_A capped result says so instead of looking complete._

## Several result sets

`Run all` gives each statement that returns rows its own tab, named `Result 1`, `Result 2` and so on, and opens the last one. Select a tab to show its rows, column types and footer.

![Result 1, Result 2 and Result 3 tabs above the grid after running three statements, with Result 2 selected and showing five authors.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/results/04-result-tabs.png)

_Each statement that returns rows gets its own tab._

## Copying

Right-click a selection for `Copy`, `Copy cell value`, `Copy column values` and `Copy as`. `Copy as` offers `TSV`, `CSV`, `CSV with header`, `JSON` and `Markdown table`, and `SQL INSERT` stays disabled in query results. Copies carry the values the database returned, not the way a cell is drawn.

![The grid context menu open on a block of selected cells, with the Copy as submenu listing TSV, CSV, CSV with header, JSON and Markdown table, and SQL INSERT disabled.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/results/05-copy-as.png)

_Every copy format carries the stored values._

## Quick Look

`Space` on the selected cell, or `Quick Look` in the context menu, opens the cell's full value with its column name and type. JSON opens formatted, with `Pretty` and `Raw` to switch between layouts, and `Wrap` and `Copy` above the value. `Esc` closes it. In table data, the [row inspector](https://bobbytables.app/docs/row-inspector) shows a whole row at once.

![Quick Look open on the metadata cell of book 3, showing the JSONB value over several lines with Pretty, Raw, Wrap and Copy controls and Row 3 in its footer.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/results/06-quick-look.png)

_Quick Look shows the whole stored value, however narrow the column._

## Good to know

- Dates and times appear as the server sends them.
- `Export result...` writes every stored row, not only the rows on screen. See [Export and import](https://bobbytables.app/docs/export-import).
- Running the tab again replaces its results.
- Column aliases can change how a column is drawn without changing what is copied. See [Result display directives](https://bobbytables.app/docs/result-directives).

## Related

- [SQL editor](https://bobbytables.app/docs/sql-editor.md)
- [Row inspector](https://bobbytables.app/docs/row-inspector.md)
- [Export and import](https://bobbytables.app/docs/export-import.md)
- [Result display directives](https://bobbytables.app/docs/result-directives.md)