# Virtual Views

Virtual Views are views that are managed by the CData Virtuality Server. They are used to eliminate typing long queries, create business-friendly table- or column- names, rewrite data-types or create calculated columns.

## Create Virtual View

Virtual Views can be created by in the following ways:

- Right-click on an empty space in the Virtual Views list and select the add tables or views menu entry to create new Virtual Views. This will bring up a Create Virtual Views Dialog to select the source tables to create the views from.
- Right-click on one or more tables in a Data source's schema view and select the create view(s) menu entry to automatically create the corresponding Virtual Views. Click Refresh in the Virtual Views list to see the new items.
- Open the SQL Editor and issue a `CREATE VIEW` command:

      CREATE VIEW views.myView AS SELECT * from sourceSchema.someTable

  Do not forget to specify the virtual schema where the new Virtual View should be created.

## Show Virtual View's Details

- Click on a Virtual View in a Virtual Schema to show its columns in the pane below.
- Next to the columns pane is the definition pane, where the user is able to see the SQL definition of the selected view, as well as copy it to the clipboard and edit it.

## See also:

- Analytical Storage
- Data Source Schema