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Database Editor Tab

Overview​

The Database Editor tab is a built-in SQLite database editor embedded in iEnergy Suite. It lets you open, inspect, and edit the .db, .sqlite, and .sqlite3 database files that the iPool simulation engine uses as input — commonly called the "System database".

The tab presents database content through a structured sidebar tree that mirrors the energy-market hierarchy (Pool, Regions, Sites, Units, and so on) and a main grid that shows table rows as an editable spreadsheet. You can navigate the hierarchy, edit cell values directly, and save your changes back to the same file.

What It Is Used For​

Use the Database Editor tab to:

  • View and edit iPool input database files — open any .db, .sqlite, or .sqlite3 file and browse or modify its tables directly.
  • Convert database files — convert a Microsoft Access .mdb or .accdb file to SQLite format so iPool can use it. You can convert a single file or a whole folder of files.
  • Convert a regional database to zonal format — produce a zonal-format .db from an existing regional .db, .sqlite, or .sqlite3 database. Desktop only.
  • Import plant data — add or update Sites, Units, and Storage records in bulk by importing a CSV or XLSX file.
  • Edit Time Periods — open a separate Time Periods database to adjust day-type scheduling.

When to Use It​

Use the Database Editor tab in these situations:

  • Before running simulations — when you need to update plant parameters, fuel costs, availability factors, or other input values in your iPool system database.
  • After receiving a new MDB file — convert it to SQLite using Convert Database before opening it in iPool.
  • When you need a zonal-format database — use Regional to Zonal in the Convert Database dialog to produce a zonal .db from an existing regional database. Desktop only.
  • When adding or modifying plant records — add new generating units, sites, or storage units, or change existing records such as installed capacity, SRMC, or forced outage rate.

You can also press Ctrl+4 to switch directly to the Database Editor tab from anywhere in Suite (as long as focus is not inside a text field or other input element).

Basic Steps​

  1. Click the Database Editor tab in the top bar, or press Ctrl+4.
  2. Click Open Database in the toolbar.
  3. Select a .db, .sqlite, or .sqlite3 file using the file picker.
  4. The sidebar on the left populates with the database structure. Click any node to load its table in the main panel.
  5. To edit a cell, double-click it (or select it and press Enter). Type the new value. For columns linked to another table, a dropdown list appears with the valid options.
  6. Repeat for any other cells you need to change. Edited rows are highlighted, and the status bar shows Unsaved changes.
  7. When you have finished making changes, click Save in the toolbar. Your changes are written directly to the original database file.

For a reference to all toolbar controls, see Interface and Navigation. For row operations, undo and redo, and column search, see Edit Database; for bulk imports, see Update Database; and for database conversion, see Convert Database.

warning

Save writes to the original file. There is no "Save a copy" step before Save writes. If you want to keep the original file unchanged, use Save As first to create a copy, then make your edits in the copy.

Expected Result​

After clicking Save, all your changes are committed to the original database file. The status bar shows All changes saved and the unsaved-changes indicator clears.

If you used Save As, a copy of the database is saved to the path you chose. The copy contains all your changes; the original file remains byte-identical to how it was when you opened it.

After saving, your view refreshes automatically from the updated file. You can continue editing or open another database.