---
title: Native Expression (Term)
description: Native Expression (NativeExpression) replaces a source column with an expression that the source database evaluates in the OPENQUERY statement.
---

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# Native Expression (Term)

**Applies to**  
Platform: Microsoft SQL Server  
Architecture: Stage

Native Expression (`NativeExpression`) replaces a source column with an expression that the source database evaluates in the `OPENQUERY` statement. Use it to convert or clean a value in the source system before it reaches Microsoft SQL Server.

The property exists only in the Microsoft SQL Server - Stage OpenQuery generator.

### Where to set it

Set the property when you [edit a term](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/edit-a-term?hsLang=en) of a Source model object. It is a text field and empty by default.

### Values

- Empty (default): the native query reads the source column by its name.
- An expression: the native query reads `(<expression>) AS [<term name>]` instead.

Write the expression in the SQL dialect of the source system, because the linked server passes it unchanged. Its result must have the data type of the term. Write single quotes once: the generator escapes them for each quoting level of the loader, which gives four quotes in the example.

### Example

A Source `CUSTOMER` has Native Expression `ISNULL(ADDRESS_LINE2, 'UNKNOWN')` on the term `ADDRESS_LINE2`. The Stage loader contains this native query, here shortened:

```
FROM OPENQUERY([<linked server>], ''
SELECT [CUSTOMER_ID],[CUSTOMER],
  (ISNULL(ADDRESS_LINE2, ''''UNKNOWN'''')) AS [ADDRESS_LINE2]
FROM [<database>].[<schema>].[CUSTOMER]
'') AS [s1]
```

`<linked server>`, `<database>` and `<schema>` stand for the replaced placeholder values of the source system.

### Related articles

- Reference: [Native Data Type (Term Mapping)](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/native-data-type-term-mapping?hsLang=en)
- See also: [Model a Stage OpenQuery Solution](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/model-a-stage-openquery-solution?hsLang=en), [Microsoft SQL Server - Stage OpenQuery](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/microsoft-sql-server-stage-openquery?hsLang=en)

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