> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getcollate.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Collate ER Diagrams | Visualize Data Relationships

# Collate: Entity Relationship (ER) Diagrams

## Overview

Entity Relationship (ER) Diagrams in Collate provide a visual representation of how tables are connected within a database. These diagrams offer a complete picture of your data structure by automatically detecting relationships based on constraints such as **primary keys** and **foreign keys** during metadata ingestion.

<iframe width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/thC9fRDmR_U?start=0&end=90" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

## Automatic Detection of Relationships

Collate's [**metadata ingestion workflow**](/how-to-guides/guide-for-data-users/ingestion/workflows/metadata) identifies and extracts table relationships, ensuring that **primary key** and **foreign key** constraints are accurately represented. Once ingestion is completed, users can access ER diagrams at both the **table level** and **database schema level**.

## Features of ER Diagrams

### Visualizing Table Relationships

* ER diagrams display **tables, constraints, and relationships** between them.
* **Relationship cardinality** is clearly indicated, helping users understand data connections.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/collatedocs/htlMrdEdUQiJnAza/public/images/how-to-guides/discovery/table-relationships.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=htlMrdEdUQiJnAza&q=85&s=51a2a2897cf1aec1af5e6d31afbcb06d" alt="Visualizing Table Relationships" width="3252" height="1500" data-path="public/images/how-to-guides/discovery/table-relationships.png" />

### Interactive Exploration

* Users can navigate from table to table by following relationships.
* Enhances **data discovery** by making it more intuitive and efficient.

### Editing Relationships

* Modify existing relationships by **updating their type**.
* **Add or remove** relationships to reflect changes in the database structure.

### Table View for Simplified Insights

* In addition to the diagram, Collate offers a **table view** listing all relationships in a structured format.
* Provides a **quick overview** of data dependencies.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/collatedocs/htlMrdEdUQiJnAza/public/images/how-to-guides/discovery/table-view.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=htlMrdEdUQiJnAza&q=85&s=292389965caa5c0cd2cda25cfceb21c8" alt="Table View for Simplified Insights" width="3252" height="1500" data-path="public/images/how-to-guides/discovery/table-view.png" />

## Benefits of ER Diagrams

### Improved Database Understanding

* ER diagrams create a **common language** for database discussions.
* Helps teams **visualize complex relationships** and constraints.

### Enhanced Troubleshooting & Impact Analysis

* Users can quickly **identify table relationships** and assess the impact of schema changes.
* Assists in **debugging and optimizing database structures**.

With **Collate's ER Diagrams**, users gain **greater visibility** into their data relationships, improving **data discovery, governance, and analysis**.