Top 20 ETL Interview Questions and Answers

Updated 12 Jul 2025

5d ago

Q. How do you ensure data is not lost in an ETL pipeline?

Ans.

Implementing strategies to prevent data loss in ETL pipelines is crucial for data integrity and reliability.

  • Implement data validation checks at each stage of the ETL process to ensure data integrity.

  • Use logging mechanisms to track data flow and ident...read more

Asked in Capgemini

6d ago

Q. Why is ETL required?

Ans.

ETL is required to extract, transform and load data from various sources into a target system.

  • ETL helps to integrate data from multiple sources into a single system

  • It ensures data accuracy, consistency and completeness

  • ETL is used in data warehousing,...read more

Asked in kipi.ai

5d ago

Q. What are ETL and ELT tools, and what are their differences?

Ans.

ETL and ELT tools are used for extracting, transforming, and loading data in data warehousing and analytics processes.

  • ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load and involves extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a usable format, and...read more

Asked in TCS

4d ago

Q. What were the data retrieval steps in Informatica while performing ETL?

Ans.

Data retrieval steps in Informatica ETL process

  • Identify the source data to be extracted

  • Create source and target connections in Informatica

  • Design mappings to extract, transform, and load data

  • Use transformations like Filter, Joiner, Lookup, etc.

  • Run the...read more

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Asked in Cognizant

3d ago

Q. How do you set up ETL on the cloud?

Ans.

ETL on cloud can be setup using AWS Glue or third-party tools like Talend, Matillion, etc.

  • Choose a cloud-based ETL tool based on your requirements

  • Create a data pipeline to extract data from source systems

  • Transform the data using the ETL tool's built-...read more

Q. Define a transformation group.

Ans.

A group in transformation refers to a collection of individuals or entities undergoing a process of change or development.

  • A group in transformation involves a collective effort towards achieving a common goal.

  • It often involves a shift in mindset, beh...read more

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4d ago

Q. Write a program to ETL PDF documents from SharePoint.

Ans.

Program to ETL pdf documents from sharepoint

  • Use SharePoint API to access the pdf documents

  • Extract data from pdf using libraries like PyPDF2 or pdfplumber

  • Transform the extracted data as needed

  • Load the transformed data into a database or another storag...read more

Asked in FinBox

1d ago

Q. What is ETL in SQL?

Ans.

ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load in SQL. It is a process of extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a usable format, and loading it into a target database.

  • Extract: Retrieving data from different sources such as databases, fi...read more

Asked in LTIMindtree

2d ago

Q. Which option is best when using table comparison transformation?

Ans.

The option 'Ignore Case' is good when using table comparison transformation.

  • Use 'Ignore Case' option when comparing text values to ignore differences in case.

  • This option is helpful when comparing strings like names or addresses.

  • It ensures that 'John'...read more

Asked in HCLTech

2d ago

Q. Which version of Talend are you using?

Ans.

I am using Talend version 7.3.1 for ETL development.

  • I am currently using Talend version 7.3.1 for ETL development.

  • The specific version of Talend being used is 7.3.1.

  • Talend 7.3.1 offers various features and improvements for ETL processes.

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Asked in Cognizant

5d ago

Q. What are the uses of the transform stage?

Ans.

Transform stage is used in ETL process to apply business rules, clean and enrich data before loading into target database.

  • Transform stage is used to apply business rules to the data.

  • It is used to clean and standardize data before loading into the tar...read more

Q. What are the ways of reading external data?

Ans.

There are several ways to read external data, such as using file input/output operations, database queries, web scraping, and API calls.

  • File input/output operations: Reading data from files stored on the local system or network.

  • Database queries: Retr...read more

1d ago

Q. How does AWS Glue work, and how can ETL be performed with Glue?

Ans.

AWS Glue is a fully managed ETL service that makes it easy to prepare and load data for analytics.

  • AWS Glue works by automatically discovering, cataloging, and transforming your data

  • ETL can be performed with Glue by creating ETL jobs using the Glue co...read more

Asked in Accenture

6d ago

Q. How do you compare two flat files in GDE?

Ans.

Comparing 2 flat files in GDE involves using the Join component and specifying the keys to match.

  • Use the Join component in GDE to compare 2 flat files

  • Specify the keys to match in the Join component

  • Choose the type of join (inner, outer, left, right) b...read more

4d ago

Q. Which AWS technologies have you used for ETL processes?

Ans.

I have worked on AWS Glue, AWS Data Pipeline, and AWS Lambda for ETL processes.

  • AWS Glue for serverless ETL jobs

  • AWS Data Pipeline for scheduling and orchestrating ETL workflows

  • AWS Lambda for building custom ETL functions

4d ago

Q. What types of LKM are used in file-to-file loads?

Ans.

There are three types of LKM used in file to file loads: LKM File to SQL, LKM SQL to File, and LKM File to File.

  • LKM File to SQL is used to load data from a file to a SQL database

  • LKM SQL to File is used to extract data from a SQL database to a file

  • LKM...read more

Asked in BNP Paribas

6d ago

Q. What types of transformations have you worked on?

Ans.

I have worked on various types of transformations including Aggregator, Expression, Filter, Joiner, Lookup, Router, and Sorter.

  • Aggregator transformation for performing calculations on groups of data

  • Expression transformation for performing calculation...read more

1d ago

Q. Design an architecture for ETL.

Ans.

Designing architecture for ETL involves identifying data sources, transformation processes, and target destinations.

  • Identify data sources such as databases, files, APIs

  • Design data transformation processes using tools like Apache Spark, Talend

  • Implemen...read more

Q. How would you set up an ETL flow for data present in a Lake House using Databricks?

Ans.

Set up ETL flow for data in Lake House using Databricks

  • Connect Databricks to Lake House storage (e.g. Azure Data Lake Storage)

  • Define ETL process using Databricks notebooks or jobs

  • Extract data from Lake House, transform as needed, and load into target...read more

Q. What are the key differences between ETL and ELT?

Ans.

ETL is Extract, Transform, Load where data is extracted, transformed, and then loaded into a target system. ELT is Extract, Load, Transform where data is extracted, loaded into a target system, and then transformed.

  • ETL involves extracting data from s...read more

Asked in kipi.ai

1d ago

Q. What are the differences between ETL and ELT?

Ans.

ETL focuses on extracting, transforming, and loading data in a sequential process, while ELT involves loading data into a target system first and then performing transformations.

  • ETL: Extract, Transform, Load - data is extracted from the source, trans...read more

Asked in Kyndryl

6d ago

Q. What is ETL, and what are some examples of ETL tools?

Ans.

ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load. It is a process of extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a usable format, and loading it into a target database.

  • ETL tools include Informatica PowerCenter, Talend, Apache Nifi, Microsoft SQ...read more

Asked in Infovision

3d ago

Q. How do you perform a full load in SSIS? Please mention the steps.

Ans.

To perform a full load in SSIS, you can use the Data Flow Task with a source and destination component.

  • Create a Data Flow Task in the Control Flow tab of the SSIS package.

  • Add a source component to extract data from the source system.

  • Add a destination...read more

Asked in UST

3d ago

Q. What is an initial load in ETL?

Ans.

Initial load in ETL refers to the process of loading data from source systems into the data warehouse for the first time.

  • Initial load is typically a one-time process to populate the data warehouse with historical data.

  • It involves extracting data from...read more

Asked in Sapiens

1d ago

Q. ETL vs Elt

Ans.

ETL is a process of extracting data from various sources, transforming it and loading it into a target system. ELT is a process of extracting data from various sources, loading it into a target system and then transforming it.

  • ETL involves transformin...read more

Asked in Procore

3d ago

Q. Which is better, ETL or ELT?

Ans.

ETL is better for batch processing, ELT is better for real-time processing.

  • ETL is better for large volumes of data that need to be transformed before loading into a data warehouse.

  • ELT is better for real-time processing where data can be loaded into a...read more

4d ago

Q. Types of data ETL

Ans.

Types of data ETL include batch processing, real-time processing, and change data capture.

  • Batch processing involves processing data in large chunks at scheduled intervals.

  • Real-time processing involves processing data as it is generated.

  • Change data ca...read more

Asked in Accenture

4d ago

Q. What is the architecture of ETL?

Ans.

ETL architecture involves three main components: extraction, transformation, and loading.

  • Extraction involves retrieving data from various sources such as databases, files, and APIs.

  • Transformation involves cleaning, filtering, and converting the data ...read more

Asked in Capgemini

3d ago

Q. Different stages in etl

Ans.

Different stages in ETL include extraction, transformation, and loading of data.

  • Extraction: Retrieving data from various sources such as databases, files, APIs, etc.

  • Transformation: Cleaning, filtering, and converting the extracted data into a format ...read more

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