> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://risingwavelabs-wyx-add-timestamp-dedicated-page.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# DESCRIBE

> Use the `DESCRIBE` command to view columns in the specified table, source, sink, view, or materialized view.

`DESCRIBE` is a shortcut for [SHOW COLUMNS](/sql/commands/sql-show-columns).

<Tip>
  `DESCRIBE` also lists the indexes on a table or materialized view, whereas `SHOW COLUMNS` doesn't.
</Tip>

## Syntax

```bash theme={null}
DESCRIBE relation_name;
```

## Parameters

| Parameter or clause | Description                                                                      |
| :------------------ | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *relation\_name*    | The table, source, sink, view or materialized view whose columns will be listed. |

## Examples

```sql theme={null}
CREATE TABLE customers (
  customer_id BIGINT PRIMARY KEY,
  name VARCHAR,
  email VARCHAR
);
COMMENT ON COLUMN customers.customer_id IS 'Unique identifier for each customer';
COMMENT ON COLUMN customers.name IS 'Name of the customer';
COMMENT ON COLUMN customers.email IS 'Email address of the customer';
COMMENT ON TABLE customers IS 'All customer records';
CREATE INDEX idx_customers_email ON customers(email);
```

After creating the table, columns, and indexes, as well as adding comments to each of them, we can use the `DESCRIBE` command to see all the information in a structured format.

```sql theme={null}
DESCRIBE customers;
```

```bash theme={null}
| Name                | Type                                                                  | Is Hidden | Description                         |
| :------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------- | :---------------------------------- |
| customer_id         | bigint                                                                | false     | Unique identifier for each customer |
| name                | character varying                                                     | false     | Name of the customer                |
| email               | character varying                                                     | false     | Email address of the customer       |
| primary key         | customer_id                                                           |           |                                     |
| distribution key    | customer_id                                                           |           |                                     |
| idx_customers_email | index(email ASC, customer_id ASC) include(name) distributed by(email) |           |                                     |
| table description   | customers                                                             |           | All customer records                |

```