Definition
ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)
Also called: extract transform load, ELT.
ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load — the three steps of moving data from a source, cleaning and reshaping it, and writing it to a destination.
ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load. It describes the three steps of moving data from where it lives to where it is useful: extract it from the source, transform it (clean, type, de-duplicate, reshape), and load it into a destination like a database, spreadsheet or report.
The three steps
- Extract — pull the raw data out of files, documents or systems.
- Transform — fix types, remove duplicates, join sources, derive new columns.
- Load — write the cleaned result somewhere it can be used.
ETL is the engine behind most reporting. When the three steps run on a schedule, you get a data pipeline. The free tools on this site are a lightweight ETL: they extract (PDF/CSV), transform (clean and structure), and load into a dashboard or report.
ETL vs ELT
ELT swaps the order — load the raw data first, then transform it in the destination. The choice depends on where you want the heavy processing to happen; the conceptual steps are the same.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between ETL and a data pipeline?
- ETL describes the three steps (extract, transform, load). A data pipeline is the running system that performs those steps automatically, usually on a schedule and with monitoring.
- Do I need ETL for a simple report?
- You are already doing it informally whenever you export data, clean it and paste it into a report. Naming the steps just makes it easier to automate them so they run on their own.
Related terms
Data Pipeline
A data pipeline is an automated sequence that moves data from a source through cleaning and transformation to a destination, usually on a schedule.
Read definition → DefinitionData Extraction
Data extraction is the process of pulling structured data — rows, fields, tables — out of documents, files or systems so it can be used elsewhere.
Read definition → DefinitionDashboard
A dashboard is a single screen that shows the key metrics and charts for a topic, so you can read the state of things at a glance.
Read definition →