--- title: "What is a View in a Database? | OWOX" canonical: "https://www.owox.com/glossary/view" updated: "2025-04-25" --- # What is a view in a database? A view in a database is a virtual table that displays data from one or more underlying tables. **2 min** read · Updated April 25, 2025 · [Data Modeling](/blog/topics/data-modeling) A view doesn’t store data itself but shows results based on a predefined SQL query. Views simplify access to complex data and enhance security by controlling what users can see. ## **Key features of database views** Database views act as reusable query results. They can combine columns from multiple tables, apply filters, and even include calculated fields. Since they are virtual, views don’t require extra storage. You can also use views to hide sensitive columns or restructure data without changing the source tables. ## **How to create a database view** To create a view, you define it with a SQL **CREATE VIEW** statement followed by a SELECT query.  For example: > `CREATE VIEW Active_Customers AS SELECT CustomerID, Name, Email FROM Customers WHERE Status = 'Active';` This command creates a virtual table named **Active\_Customers** that shows only active customers. You can then query this view just like a regular table, making your analysis faster and more focused. ## The Turning Point OWOX Data Marts See your first report built in real time. _15 minutes._ 1. Connect your data warehouse 2. Pick your metrics 3. Get a live Google Sheets report In the time it takes to write a ticket. Then imagine never writing that ticket again. [Book a Demo](/book-a-call) We'll use your actual use case ## **Types of database views** There are two main types: * **Simple Views**: Based on a single table, without aggregations or complex joins. * **Complex Views**: Built from multiple tables or using advanced SQL logic like joins, groupings, or subqueries. Some systems also support **materialized views**, which store results physically for faster performance but require refreshing. ## **Database view vs. table** A table stores actual data in rows and columns. A view, on the other hand, is a stored query that presents data from one or more tables. Tables are used for data storage and manipulation, while views are used for simplified, filtered, or restricted access to that data. ## **Advantages of using database views** Views streamline access to relevant data without exposing the full database. They help maintain security by restricting columns or rows, reduce repetitive query writing, and simplify complex joins for end users. Views also support cleaner interfaces for reporting, analysis, or application development. ## **Limitations of database views** Since views don’t store data themselves, querying a complex view can slow down performance. Some views are read-only, which limits updates and inserts. Additionally, depending on the database engine, maintaining views that depend on multiple tables or require constant refresh can be challenging in large systems. Understanding how to use views effectively allows teams to simplify reporting, secure sensitive data, and build user-friendly data layers. Views are especially valuable in multi-user environments where access needs to be controlled and queries made more readable. ## **From data to decisions: OWOX BI SQL Copilot for optimized queries** Creating and managing views manually across multiple datasets can quickly get complex. [**OWOX BI SQL Copilot**](/features/ai-insights) simplifies this by helping analysts and marketers generate optimized SQL queries to build custom views on top of BigQuery. Whether you’re segmenting audiences, filtering key metrics, or hiding sensitive fields, SQL Copilot delivers query suggestions that save time, reduce errors, and align with your business goals. It’s the fastest way to transform raw data into actionable insights that drive smarter decisions. ## Topics [Glossary](/glossary) [Data Modeling](/blog/topics/data-modeling) ## Related terms [What is SQL? Definition & Key Concepts](/glossary/what-is-sql) [What is an RDBMS? Definition & Examples](/glossary/rdbms) [DDL in SQL](/glossary/data-definition-language-ddl) [Data Normalization](/glossary/data-normalization) [Abstraction in Data Modeling](/glossary/abstraction-in-data-modeling) [ACID Compliance](/glossary/acid-compliance) ## Related articles ## Learn more about analytics [data analytics · Database vs data warehouse vs data lake: what each one is for and where your data belongs · Oct 15, 2026](/blog/articles/database-data-warehouse-data-lake) [bigquery · How to create a view in BigQuery: CREATE VIEW, cost and limits · Oct 16, 2026](/blog/articles/bigquery-create-views) [bigquery · WHERE vs HAVING vs QUALIFY: SQL filter clauses explained · Oct 6, 2026](/blog/articles/bigquery-sql-where-vs-having-vs-qualify) ## Customer stories ## Learn how teams ship analytics faster Organizations that scaled analytics without scaling headcount [All case studies →](/blog/success-stories) [Pürblack · "For 10 years I was blind." 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And because of that, you need something which will create guardrails to ensure that there are no hallucinations, that you can trust your data.”_ C5 · re: opened eyes ![Nodari Rizun](https://cdn.owox.ai/www/webflow/6a7b298b2ca5055443187566_nodari-headshot.png/public) Nodari Rizun · Founder & CEO, Pürblack® > _“I was blind, now I can see. OWOX opened our eyes.”_ E9 · re: results and support PandaDoc · Analytics team > _“We are extremely satisfied with the results achieved through our partnership with OWOX. I'm also impressed by quick and effective support we get from OWOX”_ ## Your New Normal Turn your data into decisions. Governed data marts give you the clean foundation ML needs to actually work. * No AI hallucinations * Analyst-governed definitions * Every number traces to SQL [Get started free](https://www.owox.com/app-signup) ## Book a call You are booked. The invitation is on its way to , with the calendar invite and the meeting link. 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Definition & Examples](https://www.owox.com/glossary/rdbms) — /glossary/rdbms.md - [DDL in SQL](https://www.owox.com/glossary/data-definition-language-ddl) — /glossary/data-definition-language-ddl.md - [Data Normalization](https://www.owox.com/glossary/data-normalization) — /glossary/data-normalization.md - [Abstraction in Data Modeling](https://www.owox.com/glossary/abstraction-in-data-modeling) — /glossary/abstraction-in-data-modeling.md - [ACID Compliance](https://www.owox.com/glossary/acid-compliance) — /glossary/acid-compliance.md - [data analytics · Database vs data warehouse vs data lake: what each one is for and where your data…](https://www.owox.com/blog/articles/database-data-warehouse-data-lake) — /blog/articles/database-data-warehouse-data-lake.md - [bigquery · How to create a view in BigQuery: CREATE VIEW, cost and limits · Oct 16, 2026](https://www.owox.com/blog/articles/bigquery-create-views) — /blog/articles/bigquery-create-views.md - [bigquery · WHERE vs HAVING vs QUALIFY: SQL filter clauses explained · Oct 6, 2026](https://www.owox.com/blog/articles/bigquery-sql-where-vs-having-vs-qualify) — /blog/articles/bigquery-sql-where-vs-having-vs-qualify.md - [All case studies →](https://www.owox.com/blog/success-stories) — /blog/success-stories.md - [Pürblack · "For 10 years I was blind." The day Pürblack® founder stopped guessing · Seconds · to get…](https://www.owox.com/blog/success-stories/purblack) — /blog/success-stories/purblack.md - [Reformation · How OWOX Reports Helped Reformation Make Data-Backed Decisions · Minutes · from data…](https://www.owox.com/blog/success-stories/reformation) — /blog/success-stories/reformation.md - [WorkSimpli · How OWOX Reports Streamlined Operations for WorkSimpli, Saving Over 10 Hours Weekly ·…](https://www.owox.com/blog/success-stories/worksimpli) — /blog/success-stories/worksimpli.md - [Get started free](https://www.owox.com/app-signup)