Column and table aliases

This lesson uses DDI_SQL_Training dataset version 1.0.0 on SQL Server 2019 or later. A report may need clearer column headings than the names stored in a table. Aliases let you label the result without changing the database.

Run the example

SELECT c.CustomerID AS ID, c.FirstName AS GivenName, c.City
FROM dbo.Customers AS c
ORDER BY c.CustomerID;

Read it step by step

1. FROM dbo.Customers AS c gives Customers the short name c for this statement. The alias disappears when the query finishes.
2. c.CustomerID identifies the source column. AS ID changes only its result heading. The same pattern turns FirstName into GivenName.
3. ORDER BY c.CustomerID asks SQL Server to display the rows in ID order. The first three therefore have IDs 1, 2, and 3.

Check the result

Notice that the heading is ID, not CustomerID, and GivenName, not FirstName. The values are unchanged. The table still has columns named CustomerID and FirstName after this query.

Practice

Return ProductName under the heading Name and ListPrice under the heading Price, using p as the Products alias.

SELECT p.ProductName AS Name, p.ListPrice AS Price FROM dbo.Products AS p;