---
title: "The ZCQL Console"
url: https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/zcql/zcql-console/
description: "ZCQL is Catalyst's own query language modelled after familiar query languages that you can use to query your app's database efficiently."
last_updated: 2026-08-28T06:26:16Z
service: Cloud Scale
type: general
---

# The ZCQL Console

The **ZCQL Console** is an intuitive tool that allows you to execute your required ZCQL queries, perform data manipulation operations on data stored in the [Data Store](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-store/introduction/), and save your required ZCQL queries directly in the Catalyst console.

### Feature Highlights

![catalyst_zcql_console_first_view](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_first_view.webp)

The *ZCQL Console* provides you with the following offerings:

* When you type in a query, you are provided with a relevant and meaningful code completion suggestion that allows you to form your queries easily and quickly.
* Execute any query in the console, and you can directly view the complete output.
* Copy the query using the *copy button* and apply it to your code with ease.
* Save any of your required ZCQL queries and reuse it when required.
* Using the **ZCQL Explorer**, you can easily search for and reuse the required saved query, view column information of all the tables created in the project, and also reuse previously executed queries from the *History* section.

> **Note:**

* By default, only **50 ZCQL queries** can be saved in a single Catalyst project. If you have a higher requirement, you can contact the [Catalyst Support team](mailto:support@zohocatalyst.com) to increase this threshold.

* Only the latest **100 ZCQL queries** will be logged in the *History* section of the **ZCQL Explorer**. However, there is no time limit on how long the query will be available in the *History*.

### Access the ZCQL Console

To access the ZCQL Console:<span></span>

1. Navigate to the **Data Store** component present under the *STORAGE* section of the [CloudScale service](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/).
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_datastore_page](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_datastore_page.webp)

> **Note:** You need to [create a table](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-store/tables/#create-a-new-table) in the **Data Store** to be able to access the **ZCQL Console**.

2. Click the **ZCQL Console** tab.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_view_tab_highlight](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_view_tab_highlight.webp)

You can type your query in this console and perform the required operations.

### The ZCQL Explorer

The *ZCQL Explorer* is an expandable and collapsible feature of the ZCQL console. It contains the following sections:

* **Schema**: Schema contains information about the table that includes the list of columns present in the table, if the value for the columns is mandatory, and the datatype of the data that will be stored in these columns.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_zcql_explorer_schema](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_zcql_explorer_schema.webp)

* **Saved Queries**: This section will contain a list of all the queries you have saved using the **Save Query** button. You can search for your required query using its name and reuse it.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_console_explorer_saved_queries](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_console_explorer_saved_queries.webp)

> **Note:** By default, only **50 ZCQL queries** can be saved in a single Catalyst project. If you have a higher requirement, you can contact the [Catalyst Support team](mailto:support@zohocatalyst.com) to increase this threshold.

* **History**: The *History* section will contain the complete list of the **latest 100 queries** that have been executed in the console.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_zcql_explorer_history_section](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_zcql_explorer_history_section.webp)

If you wish to save a query from the *History* section, click the **save-icon** next to the required query and follow the steps listed in this [section](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/zcql/zcql-console/#SaveaZCQLQuery).

> **Note**: Only the latest **100 ZCQL queries** will be present in the *History* section. However, there is no time limit on how long the query can be stored in *History*.

### Execute a ZCQL Query

To execute a ZCQL query in the ZCQL Console:

1. Enter your ZCQL query in the console.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_enterquery](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_enterquery.webp)

2. Click the **Execute Query** button.
    ![catalyst_zcql_query_query_executed](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_query_query_executed.webp)

You will be able to view the output directly in the console.

The query will be executed and logged in the *History* section present in the **ZCQL Explorer**.

By default, you will be viewing the output in *Table View*. You also have the option to view the output as a JSON by clicking the **View** drop-down, and selecting the **JSON View** option.

![catalyst_zcql_console_json_output_view](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_json_output_view.webp)

You also have the option to copy this JSON and use it as required.

### Save a ZCQL Query

In the ZCQL Console, you can execute your required queries and save them. Saving your queries allows you to retrieve them easily and use them whenever they are required instead of manually inputting them for each session.

> **Note:** By default, only **50 ZCQL queries** can be saved in a single Catalyst project. If you have a higher requirement, you can contact the [Catalyst Support team](mailto:support@zohocatalyst.com) to increase this threshold.

To save a ZCQL query:

1. Enter your required query, and click the **Save Query** button.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_enter_query_save_hihlit](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_enter_query_save_hihlit.webp)

2. In the pop-up, go through the *Query Preview* section and provide a **Query Name** to refer your query by and click **Save**.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_save_query_pop](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_save_query_pop.webp)

Your query will be saved.

You can view and manage your queries from the *ZCQL Explorer* section, under the **Saved Queries** tab.

![catalyst_zcql_console_query_saved_show](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_query_saved_show.webp)

You can click the *Console* button to print the query into your console.

![catalyst_zcql_console_console_button_click_hihlit](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_console_button_click_hihlit.webp)

You can also further edit this query and execute it as needed or save it under a different query name by repeating the steps mentioned above.

### Delete a Saved Query

To delete a saved query:

1. Click the **delete-icon** present next to the required query in the **Saved Queries** section of the *ZCQL Explorer*.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_query_del_icon](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_query_del_icon.webp)

2. Click **Yes, Proceed** on the confirmation pop-up to delete the required query.
    ![catalyst_zcql_console_delete_prompt](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_console_delete_prompt.webp)

The query will be deleted.

### Using ZCQL V2 in Function Code

To use **ZCQL V2** code in your function, you will need to set an environment variable for it in the following manner:

1. Navigate to *Serverless* > **Functions**.
![catalyst_zcql_v2_func_list](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_v2_func_list.webp)

2. Click the function that contains your ZCQL V2 code.
3. Click the **Configuration** tab, then click **Create Variable** under *Environmental Variables*.
![zcql_v2_create_env_variable](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/zcql_v2_create_env_variable.webp)

4. Enter the following values in the respective fields:
**Key**: `ZOHO_CATALYST_ZCQL_PARSER`
**Development Value**: `V2`
![catalyst_zcql_parser_env_setting](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_parser_env_setting.webp)

5. Click **Save**.
![catalyst_zcql_env_variable_set](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/help/zcql/catalyst_zcql_env_variable_set.webp)

You will now be able to use ZCQL V2 in your function code.

> **Note:** 

* You do not have to reference the environment variable anywhere in your code. Once you have configured it in the console, you can use **ZCQL V2** in your function code.

* From **December 01st, 2024**, all your current projects in all your [Orgs](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/getting-started/catalyst-organizations/) present in the [Development Environment](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/deployment-and-billing/environments/development-environment/) will be automatically mapped to **ZCQL V2 Parser**.

* From **April 01st, 2025**, all the projects present in all *Orgs* that have already been mapped to **ZCQL V2 Parser** in *Development Environment* will be automatically mapped to **ZCQL V2 Parser** in the [Production Environment](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/deployment-and-billing/environments/production-environment/), if and when production is enabled for the project.