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Lots of great updates this week, but first...

♻️ A note on iteration​

We're big champions of building iteratively — this means that we take your feedback very seriously as we incrementally add the Hex features that make your data life easier. (So a big thank you to everyone who's shared their thoughts!)

With that note, we're excited to (re)share two features which have had some big updates: the File uploader and Schema browser! Keep scrolling for more details.

🗃️ File uploader 2.0​

Among the many things that a year+ of WFH has taught us is that home internet upload speeds are not great. We've revamped our File Uploader so that you can not only upload multiple files at once, you can do so in the background with no time limit! You can also download your files to your local computer.

👓 Schema browser 2.0​

Our Schema Browser can now handle larger, chunkier schemas! We've also added the ability to search through your data, reference multiple databases within a data source, and manually trigger a schema refresh.

👟 Run mode options​

We've unlocked more options for how cells execute while you're in Notebook view. "Cell + above", "Cell + below", & "All cells" are execution modes which can now be set as a project-wide default or triggered at the individual cell level. Check out the docs or the video below for a breakdown!

🧺 SQL goodie basket​

We're making the SQL editing experience in Hex better and better. This batch of improvements includes:

  • Type-ahead — use the suggested schema and table names without having to do all that typing! (See a sneak peek in the screenshot above)
  • Better error messages — we've condensed SQL cell errors to make them more helpful
  • SSH data connections — access databases on private networks with a secure SSH tunnel
  • Compiled query — see the query you've written as a compiled prepared statement for easier debugging

Bugs squashed​

  • The item limit for dropdown menus has been increased to 1000 items and a warning when that limit is passed has been added.
  • Some markdown cells were not automatically being added to Story mode apps, which has been resolved.
  • Error message from cached queries are no longer suppressed.
  • HTML outputs no longer have a fixed size.
  • Auto highlighting of a project name has been added to the renaming project workflow.

A bunch of new features and improvements for you this week. Let us know if there's something you want to see us build next!

📂 Persistent files​

We've upgraded Projects so that now any files you write persist from session to session (even after kernel restarts). You'll see your files added to the left side panel as you create them, along with any files you've imported with the File Uploader.

➕ More data connections​

Welcome Athena and MS SQL Server to the Data Connection family! Like with all the other data sources, just fill in your connection details and you can hit your database directly using our SQL cells.

Other improvements​

  • Query Details: We now show you the number of rows and total size of the data you're returning right in the SQL cell!
  • Schema Browser Performance: We've put some elbow grease into our Schema Browser performance - it runs much, much faster.
  • Chart Cell Improvements: You can now customize your axes' labels! Also, we've enabled sorting! Stay tuned for more soon…

Bugs squashed​

  • Issues with copy and paste actions, as well as other cell focus issues, have been resolved.
  • Input parameters and Run options in Snapshots no longer appear as editable.
  • Extremely large database schemas no longer cause Schema Browser errors.
  • The query cache refresh button now correctly forces a new execution of a query.
  • Queries with JOINs which were failing due to non-nullable columns are now supported.
  • Exporting SQL cells to .ipynb files has been improved; other cell types no longer result in malformed .ipynb exports.
  • Roles are now correctly displayed when hovering over collaborator's icons.
  • The icons for elements in Story mode are now easier to interact with and no longer prevent hiding elements.

🚩 @-tagging​

Tag, you're it! We've added @-tagging to comments so you can direct your thoughts to individual teammates.

🔂 Scheduled run history​

Your scheduled projects execute like clockwork. We've added a record of all your project's scheduled runs so that you can check their success and see exactly what was executed!

Bugs squashed​

  • Input Tables temporarily refreshed with every cell changed, which has been fixed.
  • Display Tables now accept columns with '.' in their name.
  • The problem with caching large queries running out of memory has been resolved.
  • Command Palette actions have been re-enabled after being temporarily unavailable.
  • Date-type Input Parameters can now have null values.
  • BigDecimals in BigQuery are now supported.

💬 App comments​

Keep the conversations going with App Comments! Now you can engage your collaborators directly in the Apps you share (hopefully skipping all that back and forth on Slack).

🔍 Query details​

It's nice to know what to expect from your queries and to track their progress. We now show you the number of rows and total size of the data you're returning right in the SQL cell!

Can't remember your table or column names, let alone column data types? You can now browse your database schemas using the schema browser, available in the left side bar with your Data Connections.

Lots of features in this one! Read more for the full list :)

🧮 SQL parameterization​

Play Mad Libs with your {{queries}} and parameterize them to your heart's {{content}}. Now you can pass both Input parameters as well as Python variables (including lists!) to your queries. Learn more in the docs or watch a quick video.

🤝 Shared data connections​

Tired of having to create the same connection over and over? We hear ya. Now Admins can create shared connections that everyone can use!

🌍 Public share links​

Here's your chance to be internet famous! Turn on public share links so that anyone can interact with your Apps without needing a Hex account!

Other improvements​

  • Python processes that would OOM your kernel now return a "Memory Error" message instead!
  • We've added a progress bar for when you !pip install packages.
  • We fixed a bug so that .ipynb files with raw cell types can be uploaded as projects.
  • We've added a couple packages to the base image: datarobot and pyodbc