> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.narrative.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# EXPLAIN

> Reference for the EXPLAIN statement (deprecated)

<Warning>
  **`EXPLAIN` is deprecated.** Its forecasts are not reliably accurate and the statement is no longer maintained. Avoid using `EXPLAIN` in production workflows. This page is retained for reference only.
</Warning>

The `EXPLAIN` statement was intended to forecast query results without purchasing or executing — previewing data availability and estimated costs.

## Syntax

```sql theme={null}
EXPLAIN
SELECT ...
```

## What EXPLAIN returns

* Estimated row count matching your criteria
* Estimated cost based on data pricing
* Data freshness information
* Result schema

## Example

```sql theme={null}
EXPLAIN
SELECT
  company_data."123".user_id,
  company_data."123".email
FROM company_data."123"
WHERE
  company_data."123".created_at > CURRENT_DATE - INTERVAL '30' DAY
  AND company_data."123"._price_cpm_usd <= 1.00
```

***

## Related content

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    Create stored datasets from queries
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