Difference between Fact Table and Dimension Table Last Updated : 18 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report In data warehousing, fact tables and dimension tables are key components of star or snowflake schemas. Fact tables store numeric data like sales or order amounts and include foreign keys linking to dimension tables. Dimension tables provide context with descriptive details like product names or customer demographics. The main difference between Fact or Reality table and the Dimension table is that dimension table contains attributes on that measures are taken actually table.Difference Between Fact Table and Dimension TableFact TableDimension TableFact table contains the measuring of the attributes of a dimension table.Dimension table contains the attributes on that truth table calculates the metric.In fact table, There is less attributes than dimension table.While in dimension table, There is more attributes than fact table.In fact table, There is more records than dimension table.While in dimension table, There is less records than fact table.Fact table forms a vertical table.While dimension table forms a horizontal table.The attribute format of fact table is in numerical format and text format.While the attribute format of dimension table is in text format.It comes after dimension table.While it comes before fact table.The number of fact table is less than dimension table in a schema.While the number of dimension is more than fact table in a schema.It is used for analysis purpose and decision making.While the main task of dimension table is to store the information about a business and its process.Also let us see what Aggregate Fact Tables are,Aggregate Fact TablesAggregate fact tables are a special kind of fact tables in a data warehouse which contains new metrics which are been derived from one or more aggregate functions (COUNT, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, etc.) or from some specialized functions whose outputs are totally derived from a grouping of base data.Aggregates are basically summarization of the fact related data which are been used as a purpose to improve the performance.These new metrics, called as "aggregate facts" or "summary statistics" are been stored and maintained in database of the data warehouse in special fact table at the grain of the aggregation.In similar way, the corresponding dimensions are been rolled up and compressed to match the new grain of the fact.These specialized tables are been used as an substitutions whenever possible for returning user queries. The reason is the speed. Querying a neat aggregate table is much faster and uses less of the disk I/O than the base, atomic fact table, especially when the dimensions are large as well.If you want to amaze your users then start adding the aggregates. Even you can use this technique in your operational systems as well, giving boost to the foundational reports.Example:EXAMPLELimitations of Aggregate Fact TablesDoes not support exploratory analysis.Must be reaggregated each and every time when there is been certain change in source data so that the changes can be reflected in the data warehouse.The narrow capability leads to low and limited interactive use Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article Basics of Computer Networking M mks075 Follow Improve Article Tags : Computer Networks Difference Between Similar Reads Computer Network Tutorial A Computer Network is a system where two or more devices are linked together to share data, resources and information. 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It operates within the unlicensed, business, 6 min read Generations of wireless communicationWe have made very huge improvements in wireless communication and have expanded the capabilities of our wireless communication system. We all have seen various generations in our life. Let's discuss them one by one. 0th Generation: Pre-cell phone mobile telephony technology, such as radio telephones 2 min read Cloud NetworkingCloud Networking is a service or science in which a company’s networking procedure is hosted on a public or private cloud. Cloud Computing is source management in which more than one computing resources share an identical platform and customers are additionally enabled to get entry to these resource 11 min read PracticeTop 50 Plus Networking Interview Questions and Answers for 2024Networking is defined as connected devices that may exchange data or information and share resources. A computer network connects computers to exchange data via a communication media. 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It encompasses fundamental concepts like Network Models, Routing Algorithms, Congestion Control, TCP/IP Protocol Suite, and Network Security. These topics are essential for understanding how data is transmitted, managed 14 min read Computer Network - Cheat SheetA computer network is an interconnected computing device that can exchange data and share resources. These connected devices use a set of rules called communication protocols to transfer information over physical or wireless technology. Modern networks offer more than just connectivity. Enterprises 15+ min read Like