Top 5 Ways to Make PostgreSQL Query Results More Readable

If you often work with PostgreSQL queries, you know that sometimes the raw output can be difficult to read, especially when you’re dealing with long queries or large datasets.

Fortunately, PostgreSQL provides several ways to format and organize your query results for better readability.

In this article, we will explore five practical methods to make your PostgreSQL query output clearer, more organized, and easier to interpret.

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Enable Expanded Mode (\x) for Better Formatting in psql

One of the most effective ways to improve the readability of query results is to use expanded mode in the psql command-line tool.

When expanded mode is enabled, each row’s fields are displayed on separate lines. This is particularly useful for queries that return long text fields, such as the query column in pg_stat_activity.

How to Use Expanded Mode:

\x
SELECT pid AS process_id, query, query_start FROM pg_stat_activity;