**Source URL:** https://limited.veevavault.dev/commercial/vault-toolbox/intellij-plugin/guides/schema-explorer.md

# Using the Schema Explorer

The Vault Toolbox plugin includes a Schema Explorer for browsing the authenticated Vault's schema, including objects, picklists, and MDL component types. The schema tree rebuilds automatically when the snapshot changes, such as on connect or refresh.

## Browsing Vault Schema {#browsing-vault-schema}

To browse the Vault schema:

<Steps>
1. Within IntelliJ IDEA, open the Vault Toolbox plugin from the righthand sidebar.

2. Select the **Schema Explorer**(<Icon name="ph:stack"></Icon>) tab.<ThemeImage srcLight="/images/toolbox/intellij-plugin/schema_explorer_light.png" srcDark="/images/toolbox/intellij-plugin/schema_explorer_dark.png" alt="IntelliJ Plugin Schema Explorer"></ThemeImage>

3. Expand **Objects**, **Picklists**, or **Component Types** to browse the schema. Expand an object node to reveals its fields and relationships.

4. Use the search bar to narrow the schema list by name.

5. Optional: Click <Icon name="ph:arrows-counter-clockwise"></Icon> to refresh the schema from the authenticated Vault.

</Steps>

### Schema Explorer Actions {#schema-explorer-actions}

Right-click a node in the Schema Explorer to access the following context menu actions, which can vary depending on whether the selected node is an object, picklist, or component type.

| Action | Node Type |
| --- | --- |
| **Open in VQL Console**: Opens the VQL Console with a `SELECT id, name__v FROM {object}` query. | Objects |
| **Query All Fields in VQL Console**: Opens the VQL Console with a `SELECT` statement that includes every field on the object. | Objects |
| **Query Selected Field(s) in VQL Console**: For one or more fields on the same object, opens the VQL Console with a `SELECT` statement scoped to those fields. | Objects |
| **Open Definition (extracted MDL)**: Opens the extracted MDL definition for the selected component, if it has been [extracted to your project](/vault-toolbox/intellij-plugin/guides/working-with-components#extracting-mdl-from-vault). | Objects, Picklists |
| **Find Usages in MDL**: Searches the project's extracted MDL files for references to the selected component. | Objects, Picklists, Component Types |


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