How to Download or Get Kexi

Updated

Kexi is an open-source visual database application builder, and the official project site is kexi-project.org. The site itself is a project and information hub rather than a direct file host: it points you to the channels where Kexi is actually distributed. To get Kexi, you generally install it through your operating system's package manager or through the KDE software distribution channels, not by clicking a single "Download" button on the homepage.

Where the official site fits in

The Kexi project pages describe what Kexi is, its feature set, and its relationship to the wider KDE application family. Because Kexi is developed as part of KDE, the practical "get it" path runs through KDE's release and packaging infrastructure. Treat kexi-project.org as the starting point for orientation and links, and the package source as the place where the actual install happens.

Ways to get Kexi

Route What it means in practice Best for
Linux distribution packages Install from your distro's repositories (for example via the KDE application group or a kexi package) Most Linux users who want automatic updates
KDE application bundles / release channels KDE publishes applications through its own release process and packaging Users who want a KDE-aligned build
Source code Build from source if you need a specific version or platform Developers and advanced users
Third-party package formats Some platforms distribute KDE apps through additional packaging systems Users on non-Linux systems where available

Availability differs by platform and by distribution, so the exact package name and version depend on your system.

Before you install: what to confirm

  • Operating system and version — check that your distro or platform is supported by the Kexi/KDE release you intend to use.
  • Desktop environment — Kexi is a KDE application; on non-KDE desktops it still runs but may pull in additional KDE libraries.
  • Database backend — decide whether you will use Kexi with an embedded database file or connect to an external database server, since that affects setup after installation.
  • Disk space and dependencies — package managers handle dependencies automatically; source builds require you to install development libraries first.

After you get it: first steps

  1. Launch Kexi from your application menu or by running kexi in a terminal.
  2. Choose whether to create a blank database or open an existing project file.
  3. Select a database backend when prompted (embedded file-based storage is the simplest starting point).
  4. Use the project navigator to create tables, queries, forms, and reports.

If Kexi does not appear after installation, confirm the package actually installed and that your application menu has refreshed — this is the most common snag on Linux.

Common sticking points

  • No direct download button on the site — this is expected; Kexi is distributed through package channels, not as a standalone installer on the project homepage.
  • Package name varies — on some distributions the package may be grouped under KDE applications rather than listed as kexi.
  • Version lag — repository versions can trail the newest KDE release; if you need the latest features, check KDE's release announcements for the current version.
  • Windows and macOS — availability on these platforms is more limited and depends on third-party packaging; verify support before planning a deployment.

For the authoritative list of current versions and supported platforms, check the Kexi project site and the KDE release pages it links to, since these change with each release cycle.