Timeline Exploder

A lightweight, browser-based CSV/JSON/SQLite explorer for large tabular datasets. Inspired by Eric Zimmerman's Timeline Explorer.

What It Does

• Opens local .csv, .json and sqlite files directly in the browser
• Supports CSV with or without header row
• Supports JSON as:
  • [{...}, {...}] (array of objects)
  • [[...], [...]] (array of arrays)
  • { "rows": [...] }
• Renders a scrollable data grid with sticky headers and sticky selection column
• Provides interactive analysis controls (filter/sort/group/reorder/resize)
• Virtualised rendering for larger files, for more seamless scrolling
• Global search and find next support

Core Features

File Handling

• Open File button and File > Open... menu
• Automatic parsing and normalization of CSV/JSON values
• Support for SQLite databases with multiple tables

Column Controls

• Resize columns by dragging the resize handle on header edges
• Reorder columns by dragging the drag handle (vertical dots)
• Auto column widths based on sampled content and header length
• Hide Empty Columns toggle from File menu

Filtering & Search

• Per-column filters in each header (applied on Enter)
• Global search bar in meta row (Search) across all columns to filter down results in the table
• Find in visible table in meta row (Find) to find instances of a string across the table
• Clear Filters resets both per-column filters and global search

Grouping / Drill Down

• Drag a column header to Drop column here to group
• Add multiple grouped fields by dropping more columns
• Reorder grouped fields by dragging grouped chips in the meta row
• Remove one grouped field via chip ×
• Clear all grouped fields via grouped-area ×
• Expand/collapse grouped sections to drill into nested levels

Row Selection & Copy

• Select individual rows with checkboxes
• Select all visible rows from header checkbox
• Copy Selected copies selected rows (values only)
• Copy Visible copies currently visible rows

Display & UX

• Sticky top chrome/menu area
• Sticky column header row during vertical scroll
• Sticky left selection column during horizontal scroll
• Word-wrap toggle (Word Wrap Fields)
• Status messages for operations and errors