Beginner

14. SQL Alias

Learn how aliases provide temporary names to columns and tables inside a SQL query.

📘 Lesson 14 of 728 ⏱ 7 min 🎯 Beginner

An SQL alias is a temporary name assigned to a column or table within a query. The AS keyword is commonly used to create an alias. An alias does not permanently rename the original database object. It only changes the name used or displayed within the current query.

Aliases make SQL queries easier to read and make query results more meaningful. They are especially useful for calculated columns and when working with multiple tables.

Instead of displaying Salary * 12 as a complicated column heading, you can give the calculated result a clear name such as AnnualSalary.

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

Aliases are commonly used in financial reports, sales analysis, employee reports, dashboards, joins, and queries containing calculated values.

  • Aliases provide temporary names.
  • AS is commonly used to create aliases.
  • Column aliases improve readability.
  • Table aliases make complex queries easier to write.
  • Aliases do not permanently rename database objects.
What is an SQL alias?

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

Does an alias permanently rename a column?

No. An alias only applies to the current query and does not permanently rename the database column.

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