---
title: "Creating Calculated Virtual SQL Fields | DreamFactory"
description: "Virtual fields let the API return a value that is computed rather than stored — a concatenation, a derived total, a formatted date — without altering the…"
url: "https://www.dreamfactory.com/videos/calculated-virtual-sql-fields"
---

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# Creating Calculated Virtual SQL Fields

Tutorial·19 February 2016·5 min 51 sec

Virtual fields let the API return a value that is computed rather than stored — a concatenation, a derived total, a formatted date — without altering the underlying database schema.

**Recorded in 2016.** The concepts still apply, but the interface shown predates the current DreamFactory release. Some steps may differ in the current release.

## What you’ll learn

* Defining a field computed at query time
* Returning derived values without a schema change
* Where virtual fields fit against database views

[Book a Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo)[More on our YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@DreamfactoryAPI)

## More videos

* [Adding Your Own Custom API](https://www.dreamfactory.com/videos/custom-api-endpoints)
* [Setting Up the Address Book Sample Application](https://www.dreamfactory.com/videos/address-book-sample-app)
* [Using Data Mesh and Virtual Foreign Keys](https://www.dreamfactory.com/videos/data-mesh-virtual-foreign-keys)
* [Connecting to a Remote Web Service](https://www.dreamfactory.com/videos/connect-remote-web-service)

[Browse all videos ›](https://www.dreamfactory.com/videos)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGDvcJtErFs