Navigation of a data extraction graph is described. The data extraction graph may be a graph representation of data and metadata in an object-oriented database. In one example, a data extraction definition of metadata from a database system is presented in a graph format. The graph format is transformed into a linear object tree, and/or an object list. Navigation commands are received from a user to navigate the transformed graph format. Selections of objects are received from the user to select objects in the transformed graph format. A summary view of the selected objects is then provided in the transformed graph format.