The Kexi Handbook

This documentation was converted from the KDE UserBase Kexi/Handbook page at 2012-09-14.

Update to 2.4 by the KDE Documentation Team

Revision 2.5 (2012-09-14)

Kexi is the application for creating databases and for data management in the Calligra productivity suite.


Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Kexi Basics
Kexi Databases
Creating a New Database File
The Kexi Main Window
Main application elements
Tabbed Toolbar
Project Navigator pane
Opened database objects area / Tabbed Windows
Property Editor pane
Opening an existing Kexi database file
Opening a database file in the Open Project dialog
Opening an existing Kexi database file by clicking on .kexi file's icon
Using built-in help
3. Building Simple Databases
Introduction
Designing Database Tables
The Table Designer window
Entering Data Into Tables
Details About Actions Available While Entering Data Into Tables
Designing Database Queries
Designing Forms
Most important terms
Forms versus tables
Working with form design
Using the Widgets tab
Inserting widgets - text fields
Assigning data sources
Inserting text labels
Actions
Widget layouts
Entering Data Using Forms
4. Configuring Kexi
Docking and undocking side panels
5. Command Reference
The Kexi Tab
The Create Tab
The Data Tab
The External Data Tab
The Tools Tab
The Form Design Tab
The Report Design Tab
6. Appendix A. Introduction to Databases
What Is a Database?
Database and Spreadsheet
How Is a Database Different From a Spreadsheet?
Referential data integrity
Data redundancy
Data integrity and validity
Limiting data view
Performance and capacity
Data entry
Reports
Programming
Multiuse
Security
Database Design
Who Needs a Database?
Stick to spreadsheets if:
Consider using databases if:
Database Creation Software
7. Appendix B. Comparing Kexi to other database applications
Data types
8. Appendix C. Reserved words for SQL
Kexi SQL Reserved words
Kexi SQLite Driver Reserved words
Kexi MySQL Driver Reserved words
Kexi PostgreSQL Driver Reserved words
Kexi Oracle Driver Reserved words
Kexi Sybase Driver Reserved words
Kexi xBase Driver Reserved words
9. Appendix D. Supported File Formats
Comma-separated values format (CSV)
Microsoft Access (MDB) file format
Overview
Capabilities
Supported features
Unsupported features
10. Credits and License