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Finance | Project Operations, Human Resources, ...
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difference between Virtual fields and Computed columns in Data entity in d365fo

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Posted on by 30

Hi

Please let me know the difference between Virtual fields and Computed columns in Data entity.

Which one recommended to use?

  1. Please give me more shed on this 
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  • Verified answer
    André Arnaud de Calavon Profile Picture
    301,075 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    Hi Arpan,

    The difference is explained in the documentation: docs.microsoft.com/.../data-entity-computed-columns-virtual-fields

    One is using x++ coding and the other is SQL based.

    SQL based computed columns are in general faster. If you use e.g. the postLoad() method for virtual fields, it will be a row-by-row execution which will slow down performance tremendously. SO, if possible go for the computed columns.

  • @rp@n Profile Picture
    30 on at

    Thanks Andre

    For example- If I want to return "Item name" that i can do with both computed field or Virtual field.

    We need to set property in string field -

    In String unmapped field 》 property 》 isComputed = Yes or No

    Based on IsComputed = Yes or No ,its executed in SQL or X++

    For performance respective, computed field recommended to use because its executed in SQL server.

    Is it correct?

  • Verified answer
    André Arnaud de Calavon Profile Picture
    301,075 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    Hi Arpan,

    This is a correct summary of the documentation and your understanding. If you expect a lot of records to be handled with your entity, the for sure try to go for the computed column.

    If it is about a group table with e.g. expected max 25 records, then you can choose to use virtual fields when it would be easier to achieve it in this way.

  • @rp@n Profile Picture
    30 on at

    Thanks Andre

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