> [!info] read more > [What is ELT? How is it Different from ETL? (techtarget.com)](https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatamanagement/definition/Extract-Load-Transform-ELT)  The differences between [[ELT]] and a traditional [[ETL]] process are more significant than just switching the L and the T. The biggest determinant is how, when and where the data transformations are performed. With ETL, the raw data is not available in the data warehouse because it is transformed before it is loaded. With ELT, the raw data is loaded into the data warehouse (or [data lake](https://www.techtarget.com/searchaws/definition/data-lake)) and transformations occur on the stored data. Staging areas are used for both ELT and ETL, but with ETL the staging areas are built into the ETL tool being used. With ELT, the staging area is in a database used for the data warehouse.