Yes, you can compare two schemas in Navicat before synchronizing. 1. Use the built-in Schema Comparison tool by selecting "Tools > Compare > Schema Comparison," then choose two databases to analyze. 2. The tool highlights differences at the object level—such as missing tables or altered columns—and allows side-by-side SQL definition views. 3. Review discrepancies carefully, filtering by object type or ignoring non-essential differences like comments. 4. Optionally generate a synchronization script to inspect changes before applying them, ensuring safer updates especially in production environments. Always back up your database before syncing.

Yes, you can definitely compare two schemas before synchronizing them using Navicat — and it’s a good idea to do so. Schema comparison helps you spot differences in tables, views, functions, and other database objects before making any changes. This way, you avoid accidental data loss or mismatches.

Here’s how to make the most of schema comparisons in Navicat:

Use the Schema Comparison Tool

Navicat has a built-in Schema Comparison feature that visually highlights differences between two databases. You don’t need to manually check each object.

• How to start:
  Open Navicat, go to the "Tools" menu, and select "Compare > Schema Comparison".
  Choose the two connections (or databases) you want to compare.
  Click "Start" and wait for Navicat to analyze and display the results.

• What it shows:
  It lists all differences at the object level — like missing tables, altered columns, or modified stored procedures.
  You can click on each difference to see the exact SQL definitions side by side.

This is especially useful when working with dev, staging, and production environments.

Review Differences Before Syncing

Once the comparison is done, Navicat gives you a detailed list of discrepancies. But just because it shows differences doesn't mean you should sync everything automatically.

• Check what’s safe to update:

  • New tables or added columns are usually safe to include.
  • Modified stored procedures or triggers might be intentional in one environment but not the other.
  • Be extra careful with dropped objects — once deleted, they’re gone unless you have a backup.

• Use filtering options: Navicat lets you filter by object type (e.g., only show tables or views).
  You can also choose to ignore certain differences like comments or whitespace if they're not important.

Take your time to review each change. Sometimes a mismatch isn't a problem — it might reflect intentional design decisions in different environments.

Generate a Synchronization Script (Optional)

If you decide to proceed with syncing, Navicat can generate a synchronization script for you.

• Why generate a script? It gives you a chance to double-check exactly what will happen before running any changes.

• How to do it: After reviewing the comparison results, click “Create Synchronization Script”. Save the script somewhere safe, and optionally run it manually in a test environment first.

This step is optional — you can sync directly from the tool — but it's safer to have a copy of the changes before applying them to a live database.

That’s basically how it works. The schema comparison in Navicat saves a lot of manual checking and helps prevent mistakes. Just remember to always back up your database before syncing, especially in production.

The above is the detailed content of Can I compare two schemas before synchronizing them with Navicat?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!