How to Create a View in SQL Server

In this tutorial, we will cover how to create a view in SQL Server. Views are virtual tables that can simplify complex queries and improve the way data is managed and accessed in your database. Let’s walk through the steps and concepts involved in creating and using views.

What is a View in SQL Server?

A view in SQL Server is a virtual table created by a SELECT query that retrieves data from one or more tables. It simplifies complex queries, abstracts the database schema from users, and can help with security by restricting access to certain data. Views are not physical objects in the database, but rather represent a saved query that users can access just like a regular table.

Why Use Views?

• Simplify Complex Queries: Views can encapsulate complex joins and calculations.
• Improve Data Security: You can create views that only expose a subset of the data.
• Reuse Queries: Views allow you to reuse SQL queries without having to re-write them every time.

How to Create a View in SQL Server

To create a view in SQL Server, you use the CREATE VIEW statement. Here’s a simple example:

CREATE VIEW EmployeeView AS
SELECT EmployeeID, FirstName, LastName, Department
FROM Employees
WHERE Active = 1;

In this example, the view EmployeeView is created, which shows only active employees with selected columns from the Employees table. Once created, you can query the view as if it were a table:

SELECT * FROM EmployeeView;

Modifying Views

If you need to modify an existing view, you can use the ALTER VIEW statement. For example, to add a new column to the view:

ALTER VIEW EmployeeView AS
SELECT EmployeeID, FirstName, LastName, Department, HireDate
FROM Employees
WHERE Active = 1;

Dropping a View

If you no longer need a view, you can drop it using the DROP VIEW statement:

DROP VIEW EmployeeView;

That’s it! You now know how to create, modify, and drop views in SQL Server.