What phase follows the data extraction in the ETL process?

In the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process, the phase that follows data extraction is data transformation. This phase is crucial because it involves the manipulation and conversion of the extracted data into a suitable format or structure that meets the requirements of the target data warehouse or database.

During the transformation phase, various processes are applied to the extracted data, such as cleansing, enriching, aggregating, and filtering. These processes ensure that the data is accurate, consistent, and useful for reporting and analysis. For instance, during transformation, you might standardize data formats, remove duplicates, or apply business rules to make the data more meaningful.

While data loading is indeed a subsequent phase in the overall ETL process, it occurs after data transformation. Data export and data integration, while related to data handling, do not directly follow data extraction within the context of the ETL workflow. Thus, recognizing that transformation is a necessary step between extraction and loading helps clarify its pivotal role in preparing data for effective use.