Data conversion online

Data conversion online
Free file converters for online dataconversion

ETL explained

ETL stands for Extract, Transform and Load, the processes that enable the move of data from multiple sources, reformat and cleanse it, and load it into another file, database, a data mart or a data warehouse for analysis, or onto another system.

We all know that there are valuable data lying around throughout our systems that would be very useful if it could be reused in another program.

The only problem is that the data lies in all sorts of formats that cannot be readily used other applications.

To solve the problem, you can use extract, transform and load (ETL) software, which includes reading data from its source, cleaning it up and formatting it uniformly, and then writing it to a target format to be exploited.

The data used in ETL processes can come from any source: a flat file, a mainframe application, an ERP application, a CRM tool, an Excel spreadsheet, an extraction program, anything really.

Extracting the data

Extraction can be done via a variety of methods. Often, the environment or program in which the data is currently held will have an export function that can be used to get the data into a format that can be easily transformed and processed. There are also specialized tools available to take data from a database environment.

After extraction, the data is transformed, or modified, depending on the specific business logic involved so that it can be sent to the target data store.

There are a variety of ways to perform the transformation, and the work involved varies. The data may require reformatting only, but most ETL operations also involve cleansing the data to remove duplicates and enforce consistency.

In addition, the ETL process could involve transforming from a fixed-record format to a variable one, or vice versa, standardizing name and address fields, verifying telephone numbers or expanding records with additional fields containing demographic information or data from other systems.

The transformation occurs when the data from each source is mapped, cleansed and reconciled so it all can be tied together.

After reconciliation, the data is transported and loaded into the data warehouse for analysis.

Online data transformation

There are many tools available that help in the ETL process. All of them however mandate an investment in software that needs to be installed on your computer systems. The online functions available here can be very useful if you cannot, or don’t want to install any software on your computer. You will still need to extract the information from your existing environment into a file, but the transformation process can in many instances be done online.


Since turning their paper documents into digital data, companies have been focused on acquiring the most effective means of managing their databases. Thus far, ETL processes and software tools are the leading management solution being used today.

ETL (Extract, Transfer and Load) is a collection of data processes used to simplify data migration to and from different environments on the enterprise level.

ETL Process

As a data management solution, the ETL process is implemented for specific data management tasks: fixing improperly formatted data, rapidly generating databases from other resources, handling customer data on FTP servers, or managing simple XML files. Although the ETL process will differ in each individual case, it essentially involves three stages.

The first is data extraction which can be done via database APIs, proprietary code or flat files. In any case, the extracted data can come from any source and, hence, in different forms which can’t be integrated into other environments as such. The inconsistent data is therefore put into a single format in which the data can be easily transformed and processed.

The next step is aimed at resolving the data disparities. At this point, the extracted data gets processed and transformed into the form your end target requires. This involves data modifications that can vary from removing duplicates and simple reformatting to standardizing information fields and validating data.

After the data is cleansed and transformed, the last step of the process transports and loads the data into the end target database for analysis, or onto another system.

ETL with iConv

Powerful ETL software tools used in the process are easily accessible--but they require software that needs to be installed on your computer systems. The online functions available here, however, eliminate that and can be very useful in the ETL process.

Although you will still need to extract the information from your existing environment into a file, in many instances, without needing any transformation code or installations, the transformation process can be done online.

These iConv utilities can help to transform or convert your data and essentially expedite the ETL process.

Data Conversion Home             Help            Contact us         Link to us         Rate This Page

Copyright ©2005 iConv.com. All rights reserved.

Links
Charts and tables with factors for Metric Conversion of length, weight and temperature.
Online HTML tools. Verify your HTML, tidy up formatting, check links for validity.
ASCII Table
ASCII to EBCDIC Table

Privacy Policy