Save time use MySQL auto completion for database or table names

Posted by Vivek Gite [Last updated: January 16, 2007]

There is a quick way to type both MySQL database and table names quickly by enabling MySQL auto completion feature. This is called automatic rehashing. This option is on by default, which enables table and column name completion.

First connect to mysql database called foo:

$ mysql -u vivek -p foo
Now let us say you would like to list all records from tables wp_users. Type select * from w and press tab key to complete table name:
mysql> select * from w {Press TAB KEY}

Please note that if the partial name is unique, mysql will completes it for you. Otherwise, you can hit tab key again to see all possible matches.

Auto-completion enables you to cut down typing time and great way to speed up your work

If you don't use this feature, disable this feature by passing -A or --skip-auto-rehash option to mysql. That causes mysql to start faster.
$ mysql -A -u vivek -p foo

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Discussion on This Article:

Sheeri Says: November 26th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Great tip! You do have to have done a “use database” at least once before in your session, because that’s when it loads all that information in. Also, does that trick work on Unix only or on Windows too? (Mac OS X = Unix)
nixcraft Says: November 26th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Hmm..

mysql -u vivek -p foo

foo is database name; so no need to use database name again (foo is not my password) :). Otherwise execute use database as suggested by you.

I have not tested this on Microsoft Windows. But it should work as this is mysql client feature.

Appreciate your post.
mysqlonWindows Says: June 20th, 2007 at 4:42 am
This doesn’t appear to work on Windows with cmd.exe. Does anyone know if it’s possible to get mysql tab-completion working with cmd.exe? If it is, then any additional guidance on how to get it set up would be great.
Paolo Says: June 25th, 2008 (2 weeks ago) at 12:00 pm
can be possible autocomplete sql command?!
for example: select, from, having and so way?
thanks a lot
bye