SQLite Viewer: Complete Feature Guide & Reference
🗄️ Open the SQLite Viewer to explore every feature described in this guide.
Open SQLite Viewer →Contents
What Is the SQLite Viewer?
The FinancialDataTools.com SQLite Viewer is a free, browser-based tool for opening and exploring SQLite database files. It uses sql.js, a WebAssembly port of the SQLite engine, to read your database entirely inside your browser. No file is ever transmitted to any server.
The viewer is designed for financial analysts, developers, and power users who work with SQLite-based data stores — from brokerage account exports to accounting software databases to algorithmic trading backtests.
Try the SQLite Viewer — runs entirely in your browser and never uploads your files.
Open the SQLite Viewer →Supported File Formats
The viewer supports any file that contains a valid SQLite database, regardless of the file extension. Common formats include:
| Extension | Description | Common Source |
|---|---|---|
| .db | Generic SQLite database | Most SQLite-based apps |
| .sqlite | Explicitly named SQLite file | Python, Django, mobile apps |
| .sqlite3 | SQLite version 3 file | Python sqlite3 module |
| .db3 | Legacy SQLite 3 extension | Older Windows apps |
| .sdb | Some financial software exports | Accounting platforms |
Note: Password-protected or encrypted SQLite databases (e.g., SQLCipher) are not supported in the browser-based viewer, as decryption requires your encryption key to be handled securely outside the browser environment.
The Toolbar
The toolbar is the command bar that runs across the top of the viewer. It contains all primary actions:
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Open File | Opens a system file picker to select your .db or .sqlite file |
| Schema | Toggles the schema inspector sidebar open or closed |
| Export | Opens the export dialog for the active table |
| File name display | Shows the currently loaded database file name (truncated if long) |
| Search box | Global text search across all visible columns in the current table |
Table Browser
When a database is loaded, the tab bar below the toolbar displays a tab for each table. Each tab shows a small colored dot indicating whether the table has data (green) or is empty (grey). Clicking a tab loads that table's rows into the main grid.
The stats bar below the tab bar shows three key numbers at all times: the total row count for the current table, the number of rows currently visible (after any active filters), and the column count.
Sorting Columns
Click any column header to sort the table by that column. The first click sorts ascending, the second click sorts descending, and a third click returns to the default (insertion) order. A small arrow icon in the header indicates the current sort direction, and the sorted column header changes color to make it easy to identify.
Sorting is performed in memory using the full dataset, not just the current page — so a descending sort on a 100,000-row table will correctly show the globally largest values on page one.
Row Filtering
Each column header contains a small filter icon (funnel) in its bottom section. Clicking it opens a filter input for that column. You can type any text and rows not containing that value in the column will be hidden.
Key filtering behaviors:
- Filters are case-insensitive text contains matches by default
- Multiple column filters are combined with AND logic — a row must satisfy all active filters
- Active filters are shown as a pink badge in the stats bar displaying the filter count; click it to clear all filters
- The visible row count in the stats bar updates in real time as you type
Global Search
The search input in the toolbar performs a global text search across all columns of the currently active table simultaneously. This is useful when you know a value exists somewhere in a table but don't know which column contains it. Results update as you type with no need to press Enter.
The global search works in combination with column filters — both conditions must be met for a row to remain visible.
Sort and Filter Your Data
Use the viewer controls to explore your data without writing SQL.
- Click a column header to sort rows.
- Use available search and filter controls to narrow the results.
- Review the data directly in the main grid.
Schema Inspector
The schema inspector sidebar (opened via the Schema button in the toolbar) lists every table and view in your database, along with:
- Column names and declared data types
- NOT NULL and UNIQUE constraints
- Primary key columns
- Index information (names and indexed columns)
- Foreign key relationships where declared
For financial databases this is especially valuable when exploring an unfamiliar schema — for example, understanding how a trading platform links a positions table to an instruments table via a foreign key before writing a JOIN query.
Pagination
Tables with more than 500 rows are automatically paginated. The page bar at the bottom of the grid shows the current page number, total pages, and the absolute row range being displayed (e.g., "rows 501–1000 of 8,432"). Navigation buttons — First, Previous, Next, Last — let you jump through pages quickly.
A pagination badge appears in the stats bar when you are viewing a paginated table so you always know whether you're seeing the full dataset or a page of it.
Export Options
Click the Export button in the toolbar to open the export dialog. Three formats are available:
| Format | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CSV | Spreadsheets, Python/pandas, data pipelines | UTF-8 encoded; NULL values exported as empty strings |
| JSON | APIs, JavaScript, data processing | Array of objects; column names as keys; preserves null |
| Excel (.xlsx) | Sharing with non-technical stakeholders | Multi-sheet workbook when exporting multiple tables; column types mapped to Excel types |
You can export the current table or a selection of multiple tables. The exported filename defaults to [database-name]-[table-name].[ext] for table exports.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Privacy & Security
The SQLite Viewer is built privacy-first by design. Your data never leaves your device because the entire database engine runs in WebAssembly inside your browser tab. There is no server component that receives your file — the only network request is to load the tool itself.
This makes it appropriate for sensitive financial data including:
- Personal brokerage account exports
- Business accounting databases
- Proprietary algorithmic trading databases
- Client financial records managed in SQLite-based applications
Closing the browser tab clears all data from memory immediately. No data is written to localStorage or any persistent browser storage.
Use Cases for Financial Data
SQLite is widely used across financial tools and platforms. Common scenarios where the viewer adds immediate value:
- Brokerage exports: Many brokerage platforms and portfolio tracking apps store transaction history and position data in SQLite. The viewer lets you inspect raw data before importing into a spreadsheet or analytics tool.
- Backtesting databases: Algorithmic trading frameworks like Backtrader, Zipline, and custom Python scripts frequently store market data and backtest results in SQLite. Browse strategy results without writing code.
- Accounting software: Small business accounting platforms including some QuickBooks exports and open-source tools like GnuCash use SQLite as their backend. Audit raw ledger tables directly.
- Financial data APIs: Downloaded datasets from providers like Quandl, Alpha Vantage, or FRED that have been cached to SQLite by data pipelines.
- Budget apps: Personal finance apps on iOS and Android frequently back up to SQLite. Retrieve and analyze spending data without re-subscribing to an app.