Denormalizing Columns

You can denormalize columns to eliminate frequent joins using column denormalization.

In this example, you want to have the division name printed on the pay slip of each employee, however, you do not want to create a join between those tables.

You can denormalize columns in order to have column Div_Name in table PaySlip:

Column denormalization eliminates joins for many queries, however it requires more maintenance and disk space.

You can move and paste a denormalized column into another model or package in the standard way.

You can revert a column denormalization by deleting the duplicated column from the target table property sheet. This automatically removes the column replica. Note that you cannot revert a column denormalization by deleting a column replica from the list of replications.

The Column Denormalization Wizard lets you duplicate columns in a selected table. The result is a replica of the original column in the target table.

For more information about object replicas, see Core Features Guide > Linking and Synchronizing Models > Shortcuts and Replicas.

Select Tools > Denormalization > Column Denormalization, or right-click a table and select Column Denormalization from the contextual menu, in order to open the Column Denormalization Wizard:
Select the table in which you want the denormalized columns to be added, and then click Next to go to the Column Selection page.
The Column Selection page allows you to select the columns to replicate. Select one or more columns to replicate, and then click Finish.

A replication is created for each selected column. You can display the list of replicas from the menu command Model > Replications. Each replica has its own property sheet.