Clue databases allow you to store clues from puzzles that you have written, or to store your flashes of inspiration until the word comes up in a crossword. You can create, open, view, and edit clue databases by selecting the Database manager item on the Clue menu.
You can make a freeform puzzle using the words and clues in a clue database using the Create Vocabulary Puzzle feature.
Use the Use clues from database command on the Clue menu to automatically write clues for a crossword using an existing clue database (note that no clue databases are supplied, you need to make your own). You can select which database to use, and the program will insert clues for all matching words in the grid. Note that you need to have designed the grid and filled in words before using this feature.
You can add clues from puzzles to a database using the Add puzzle clues to database command. You can also add clues from a set of puzzle files using Add clues from files. Both these features have an option to datestamp or tag the clues so that you know when they were most recently used.
When you edit a clue using the Clue Editor you can insert clues from the database. The default clue displayed in the Clue Editor is determined by the Default Database Clue setting in the Preferences dialog box. It can either be the most recently added clue, the oldest clue, or one chosen at random.
You can use the Word List Manager to create a word list from the head words in a clue database, by selecting the option on the Convert menu.
The database used by default with a given crossword is saved with the crossword. To save your database settings for future crosswords, save the current crossword as a template.
Crossword Compiler clue database files are in a special database format, and cannot be edited directly outside the program (technically they are a sqlite table). You can however easily import and export to CSV (Comma Separated Values) format, as used by many spreadsheet programs. See the Database manager's menu button for import and export options.