# Whats the difference between embedded/data reference/query and case reference options in pega constellation

**URL:** <https://forums.pega.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-embedded-data-reference-query-and-case-reference-options-in-pega-constellation/13103>\
**Category:** General\
**Tags:** case-management\
**Created:** [August 11, 2026, 7:58am UTC](https://forums.pega.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-embedded-data-reference-query-and-case-reference-options-in-pega-constellation/13103 "2026-08-11T07:58:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TanyaS58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TanyaS58](https://forums.pega.com/u/TanyaS58)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 7:58am UTC](https://forums.pega.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-embedded-data-reference-query-and-case-reference-options-in-pega-constellation/13103/1 "2026-08-11T07:58:23Z")

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Whats the difference between embedded/data reference/query and case reference options in pega constellation?Also can a data reference/query/case reference create a new field?like with embedded data we can as its ususally used to input the data right?

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**Author:** ![Bhumireddy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/pega/user_avatar/forums.pega.com/bhumireddy/32/22406_2.png) [@Bhumireddy](https://forums.pega.com/u/Bhumireddy)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 8:44am UTC](https://forums.pega.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-embedded-data-reference-query-and-case-reference-options-in-pega-constellation/13103/2 "2026-08-11T08:44:56Z")

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Hi @TanyaS58 ,

Please go through below knowledge article wrote by @LeandroTaveira

[Understanding Data Access Patterns: When to Use Embedded, Reference, and Query List Fields](https://forums.pega.com/t/understanding-data-access-patterns-when-to-use-embedded-reference-and-query-list-fields/9593)

I hope this will help you

**Thanks,**

**Ashok**

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**Author:** ![duizm](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/pega/user_avatar/forums.pega.com/duizm/32/23178_2.png) [@duizm](https://forums.pega.com/u/duizm)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.pega.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-embedded-data-reference-query-and-case-reference-options-in-pega-constellation/13103/3 "2026-08-11T13:47:39Z")

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This is what I use in trainings to explain the difference.

 ![Screenshot 2026-08-11 at 10.31.44](https://pega1.discourse-cdn.com/pega/original/3X/7/6/7648a0c2405cf799c1d8c2fefad509b9cfe1fc27.png)

 ![Screenshot 2026-08-11 at 10.31.51](https://pega1.discourse-cdn.com/pega/original/3X/6/7/6720cc8888d6f5e1f792b726e12d7f7220b76ecc.png)

 ![Screenshot 2026-08-11 at 10.32.00](https://pega1.discourse-cdn.com/pega/original/3X/3/c/3c83d3d298040ccb5e42cf94ac19a3ba51373096.png)

 ![Screenshot 2026-08-11 at 10.32.07](https://pega1.discourse-cdn.com/pega/original/3X/2/2/221997007d9b1f8e429b45833b6c2ab9563af1f8.png)T

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**Author:** ![RameshSangili](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/pega/user_avatar/forums.pega.com/rameshsangili/32/22508_2.png) [@RameshSangili](https://forums.pega.com/u/RameshSangili)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://forums.pega.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-embedded-data-reference-query-and-case-reference-options-in-pega-constellation/13103/4 "2026-08-11T14:24:40Z")

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> [@TanyaS58](#):
>
> Whats the difference between embedded/data reference/query and case reference options in pega constellation?Also can a data reference/query/case reference create a new field?like with embedded data we can as its ususally used to input the data right?

| Type | Data Stored on Case Clipboard | Source | Editable | Typical Use |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Embedded Data | Page/page list | User enters data | Yes | Address, Victim, Incident |
| Data | Referenced data page/PageList structure populated from Data Record | Data Type / External System | Usually select record (s) | Product, Branch, Facility |
| Case Reference | Referenced case information | Another Case | Reference case | Parent Case, Related Incident |
| Query | Read-only results retrieved through Data Page | External source/Data Page | No | Duplicate Cases |

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**Author:** ![MarcCheong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/pega/user_avatar/forums.pega.com/marccheong/32/22678_2.png) [@MarcCheong](https://forums.pega.com/u/MarcCheong)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://forums.pega.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-embedded-data-reference-query-and-case-reference-options-in-pega-constellation/13103/5 "2026-08-11T15:01:37Z")

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Lots of helpful answers above @TanyaS58, I won’t overload you with my own. Just some references in the [Constellation 101](https://forums.pega.com/t/constellation-101/8566) that may help.

Everyone learns differently, so there are some great perspectives from different people here:

- [Constellation Cheat Sheet (Infinity '24)](https://community.pega.com/conversations/user-experience/constellation-cheat-sheet)
- [Patterns in Constellation (Infinity '24)](https://community.pega.com/conversations/user-experience/patterns-constellation)
- [From fields to functionality - Fields associated with Data Objects and when to use them (Infinity '24)](https://support.pega.com/discussion/fields-functionality-fields-associated-data-objects-and-when-use-them)
- [Understanding Data Access Patterns (Infinity '24)](https://support.pega.com/discussion/understanding-data-access-patterns-when-use-embedded-reference-and-query-list-fields)

I’m not meant to have favourites but have found the [Constellation Cheat Sheet - Knowledge Share - Pega Forums](https://community.pega.com/conversations/user-experience/constellation-cheat-sheet) to be the most effective.