Why is a Data Model necessary? Can we just store data in a flat table?
A data model offers significant advantages over a flat table, especially in analytics and reporting. Here’s why:
Efficient Data Organization
A flat table holds all data in one place, which can lead to redundancy and inefficiency. A data model organizes data into multiple related tables, reducing duplication and ensuring data integrity.
Performance Optimization
Flat tables can become slow and inefficient when handling large datasets, requiring multiple calculations across repetitive records. A structured data model with relationships enables faster queries and aggregations.
Scalability & Maintainability
If your data grows, a flat table can become hard to manage. A data model allows for modular expansion, meaning new tables can be added without disrupting existing data structure.
Better Filtering & Aggregation
Flat tables require repetitive filtering across many columns, making queries complex. A data model lets you filter data based on relationships, simplifying complex calculations.
More Accurate Insights
With proper relationships and context, a data model ensures accurate aggregations—such as avoiding double-counting in financial reports.
Reusability & Consistency
Instead of writing complex formulas for every report, a data model enables reusable measures and calculations using DAX, ensuring consistent results across dashboards.