Tabular Database

Last Updated: December 6, 2018

Definition - What does Tabular Database mean?

A tabular database, as the name implies is a database that is structured in a tabular form. It arranges data elements in vertical columns and horizontal rows. Each cell is formed by the intersection of a column and row. Each row and column is uniquely numbered to make it orderly and efficient. This type of database has a virtually infinite range for mass data storage.

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Techopedia explains Tabular Database

Structuring data in tabular form may be the oldest method used. It also simple. Elementary students are taught to organize data into tabular formats while high school students are taught to master various spreadsheet programs that are commonly laid out in table form.

Tabular databases include the following key properties:

They share the same set of properties per record. This means that every row has the same set of column titles. Each column is usually assigned with metadata as its header title. If one of the rows lacks data for a specific column, a missing value that is related to that column’s metadata will be stored in that cell.
They access records through identifiers. Each table in a tabular database contains a particular set of related information that is connected with the database subject through key fields, which describe each record (row) so that in the event of a query, the system can quickly locate the record.