> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://forest-chore-open-api.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Manage SQL views
In SQL, a view is a virtual table based on the result-set of an SQL statement. Views can provide advantages over tables, such as:
* represent a subset of the data contained in a table (see also[ segments](https://docs.forestadmin.com/user-guide/collections/segments)).
* join and simplify many tables into a single virtual table.
* act as aggregated tables, where the database engine aggregates data (sum, average etc.) and presents the calculated results as part of the data.
Forest natively supports SQL views. If you have already implemented views, simply add [the associated models](https://docs.forestadmin.com/documentation/reference-guide/models/enrich-your-models#declaring-a-new-model) to display them on your interface.
## Creating the SQL View
To create a view, we use `CREATE VIEW` statement.
In the following example, we look for the **user's email**, **the number of orders** and **the total amount spent**.
```sql theme={null}
CREATE VIEW customer_stats AS
SELECT customers.id,
customers.email,
count(orders.*) AS nb_orders,
sum(products.price) AS amount_spent,
customers.created_at,
customers.updated_at
FROM customers
JOIN orders ON customers.id = orders.customer_id
JOIN products ON orders.product_id = products.id
GROUP BY customers.id;
```
## Adding the model
To display the SQL view on your Forest interface, you must add the associated Sequelize model in your application.
You must restart your server to see the changes on your interface.
## Managing the view
Once your SQL view is implemented, you'll be able to filter, search, export and change the order of your fields.
Most of the time SQL views are used as **read-only**. If this is the case, we recommend changing the CRUD permission in your [roles's settings](https://docs.forestadmin.com/user-guide/project-settings/teams-and-users/manage-roles).
