Beginner

153. SQL Alias

Learn how aliases can provide temporary names for columns and tables.

📘 Lesson 153 of 728 ⏱ 7 min 🎯 Beginner

An alias is a temporary name assigned to a column or table within a SQL query. The AS keyword is commonly used to define an alias.

Aliases make queries easier to read and can produce clearer column names in query results.

A calculated salary value can be displayed as AnnualSalary instead of showing the calculation itself as the column heading.

SQL 
SELECT
    EmployeeName AS Name,
    Salary * 12 AS AnnualSalary
FROM Employees;

Aliases are widely used in reports, calculated columns, joins, aggregations, and complex SQL queries.

  • Aliases provide temporary names.
  • AS is commonly used for aliases.
  • Aliases can be assigned to columns.
  • Aliases can be assigned to tables.
  • Aliases improve query readability.
What is a SQL alias?

A SQL alias is a temporary name assigned to a column or table within a query.

Does a column alias permanently rename the column?

No. A query alias normally changes only the name displayed in that query result.

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