---
updatedAt: 2025-09-18T23:18:33.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.popsql.com/llms.txt
---

# Temporary Tables

If you use temporary tables in PostgreSQL or Redshift, there are two preferences in PopSQL that will help you have a better experience whether you use the desktop or web app.

1. Visit your PopSQL [preferences](/docs/customizing-your-preferences/).
2. Disable concurrent queries, so only one query runs at a time. This way, you're guaranteed to stay in one session when you `create` and `select` from your temporary table.
3. Increase your idle timeout to a high number, like `28800` (8 hours). This way, when you `create` a temporary table, it won't get dropped for 8 hours, giving you enough time to use it.

<Image align="center" className="border" border={true} src="https://files.readme.io/4bc8173-Screenshot_2022-04-05_at_17.32.41.png" />

Note: Temporary tables exist only in the session in which they were created (see documentation for [Postgres](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/sql-createtable.html#SQL-CREATETABLE-TEMPORARY) and [Snowflake](https://docs.snowflake.com/en/user-guide/tables-temp-transient#temporary-tables)). PopSQL indicates when a session is disconnected with a visual indicator above the run button, with a tooltip explaining that the next run will use a new session.

![](https://files.readme.io/e225885-image.png)