> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xsiam/reference-and-developer-docs/cortex-agentix-xql/build-xql-queries/how-to-build-xql-queries/expected-results-when-querying-fields.md). # Expected results when querying fields Understand expected XQL field query results in Cortex XSIAM. The following are returned when querying fields: * If specific fields are stated in the [fields](/xql-command-reference-guide/readme/stages/fields.md) stage, those exact fields will be returned. * If no fields are stated in the query, the `xdm_core` fieldset will be returned. * Unmapped fields are treated as NULL. An unmapped field is a `xdm` field that hasn't been mapped from the relevant datasets using a Data Model Rule. * By default, the `_time` system field will be added to all data model queries. Yet, the `_time` system field will not be added to queries that contain the `comp` stage. * For dataset queries, all current system fields will be returned, even if they are not stated in the query. * For UNION between XDM and dataset, each part of the UNION will return its own fields. * Each new column in the result set created by the [alter](/xql-command-reference-guide/readme/stages/alter.md) stage will be added as the last column. You can specify a different column order by modifying the field order in the [fields](/xql-command-reference-guide/readme/stages/fields.md) stage of the query. * Each new column in the result set created by the [comp](/xql-command-reference-guide/readme/stages/comp.md) stage will be added as the last column. Other fields that are not in the `group by / calculated` column will be removed from the result set, including the core fields and `_time` system field. * When no limit is explicitly stated in a `datamodel` query, a maximum of 1000 results are returned (default). When this limit is applied to results using the [limit](/xql-command-reference-guide/readme/stages/limit.md) stage, it will be indicated in the user interface. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xsiam/reference-and-developer-docs/cortex-agentix-xql/build-xql-queries/how-to-build-xql-queries/expected-results-when-querying-fields.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.