ERD Concepts

ERD Concepts is a comprehensive software application wrapped in a professional-looking environment designed for creating and designing database layouts with rich details. It includes some advanced features and configuration preferences that should meet the requirements of experienced users.

The whole installation procedure takes minimal time and effort. As far as the interface is concerned, ERD Concepts opts for a large window with an approachable structure, where you can get started by selecting a new database model. Multiple tabs are supported, so you can juggle multiple projects at the same time.

Several accessible tools allow you to easily put together database layouts by dropping elements in the drawing sheet and moving them around with the mouse. You can add tables and views, relationships, notes, group boxes and routine groups, as well as insert images from external sources, along with shapes, Bezier lines and stamps with info (title, page, author, copyright, database, date of modification).

The properties of each database object can be easily edited by just double-clicking it. For instance, you can define table details (e.g. name, schema, columns, keys), check constraints, manage storage scripts, add triggers and comments, while Bezier lines can be adjusted when it comes to the line color, width, arrow at start or end, and curves.

The project can be saved to file and later resumed, exported to an image or CSV file, as well as printed. ERD Concepts also lets you capture the screen, align objects in the database layout, use a search function, manage preset styles, set bookmarks, check information for any SQL errors, generate an HTML report with the database code, use a query designer, and switch the schema.

It is also possible to execute SQL statements, compare the current file with another one, generate a database with a user-defined script and rules, rename objects, convert data types, edit the schema and translation, manage templates, as well as create a Microsoft Access database.

We have not come across any stability issues throughout our evaluation, since ERD Concepts did not hang, crash or pop up error messages. It runs on low CPU and RAM, so its impact on PC performance is minimal. Thanks to its wide range of features and useful tools, this tool proves to be quite handy for putting together database layouts.