Documentation

DuckDB

Open or create a DuckDB database file in TableR — an embedded analytical database with read/write or read-only mode — and troubleshooting.

DuckDB is an embedded analytical database that lives in a single file. Point TableR at a .duckdb file, or create a new one, and choose whether to open it read/write or read-only.

Overview

TableR opens DuckDB directly from a file on disk — there is no server, host, port, or credential. DuckDB's columnar engine is built for fast analytics over local files.

File-based — open or create a single .duckdb file; there is no server.
Open mode — read_write to modify, or read_only to inspect a file safely.
No credentials — access is controlled by file permissions on disk.

Before you start

The path to a .duckdb file, or a folder where you want to create one.
Read/write permission if you plan to modify the database.
Decide whether to open it read/write or read-only.

Connection fields

DuckDB needs only a database file and an open mode — there is no host, port, or credential.

Field	Required	Default	Notes
Database file	Yes	—	Path to an existing .duckdb file, or a new file to create.
Open mode	No	read_write	read_write to modify, or read_only to inspect safely.
Host / Port	No	—	Not used; DuckDB has no server.
Credentials	No	—	Not used; access is by file permissions.

Connect with the form

1
Choose DuckDB
Open the launcher and pick the DuckDB card.
2
Select or create a file
Browse to a .duckdb file, or choose a location to create a new one.
3
Choose the open mode
Pick read_write to modify, or read_only to inspect without changes.
4
Save and connect
Save the profile so it reappears in the launcher, then connect.

Verify the connection

Once connected, open a SQL tab and run a quick check:

SELECT version();
SHOW TABLES;

The first statement returns the DuckDB version; SHOW TABLES lists tables (empty on a new database).

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
Unable to open database file	Wrong path, or no permission to the file/folder.	Re-check the path and permissions; pick a writable location.
File is not a valid DuckDB database	The file was not created by DuckDB, or is a different version.	Open a real .duckdb file, or create a new one.
Cannot write in read_only mode	The database was opened read-only.	Reopen with read_write to make changes.
File is being used by another process	Another process holds the file open.	Close other tools using the file and retry.

Next steps

SQL workspace

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Exploring data

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All engines

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