ETL is an acronym for extract, transform, load. This describes a computer programming process that automatically extracts, transforms, and loads multiple forms of computer data from a variety of data sources, and then transmits them to a data storage facility or data warehouse repository. ETL was introduced half a century ago in computing circles to help computer techs better integrate and load data into large computer mainframes for computation purposes and data analysis. The ETL process was originally designed to support business intelligence needs. It is still used today, generally for smaller repositories of data, and other forms of data integration software are being used for larger volumes of data.

Why is it important to learn about ETL?

Learning about ETL can help you further your data storage knowledge, which is such a huge part of today's interconnected networks. Knowing ETL will help you understand why companies use the process to sort through their data, decide what to keep, and what to eliminate. Learning ETL can help you manage data projects more efficiently. This is especially true for anyone eager to learn about scalable data analytics processes and optimal business intelligence warehousing.

What type of careers use ETL?

The typical careers for someone who has learned ETL include data warehousing, data storage, network functionality, computer networking, systems architecture, and other similar roles within companies or agencies. Realistically, you could work in just about any data-intensive industry and find employment as an ETL developer. Many industries are moving toward big data repositories, and having the knowledge of ETL processes can be a tremendous asset for someone aspiring to find ETL work.

How can taking online courses help me learn ETL?

When you take online courses about ETL, you can learn the basics of data warehousing for business intelligence. But that's just the start. Within the wide variety of online courses about ETL, you can branch-off to pursue your interests in data warehousing, data storage, SQL database learning, visual modeling, and much more. Learning about these interconnected specialties can help you stay ahead of the big data revolution.

What are the benefits of taking an online Extract Transform Load (ETL) course?

Online Extract Transform Load (ETL) courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Extract Transform Load (ETL) skills. Choose from a wide range of Extract Transform Load (ETL) courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Extract Transform Load (ETL) courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Extract Transform Load (ETL), it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best ETL Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the ETL Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
IBM
ETL and Data Pipelines with Shell, Airflow and Kafka
Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Data Warehousing, Data Transformation, Data Migration, Web Scraping, Data Integration, Shell Script, Data Processing, Real Time Data, Data Cleansing, Big Data, Performance Tuning, Scalability
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
412 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
BI Foundations with SQL, ETL and Data Warehousing
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Linux Commands, IBM Cognos Analytics, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Dashboard, File Management, Star Schema, Unix Shell, IBM DB2, Business Intelligence, Interactive Data Visualization, Databases, Stored Procedure, Relational Databases
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
24K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Engineering
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Data Warehousing, SQL, Apache Hadoop, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Web Scraping, Linux Commands, Database Design, IBM Cognos Analytics, MySQL, Apache Spark, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Data Store, Jupyter, Generative AI, Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Instructor Network
Data Warehousing: Schema, ETL, Optimal Performance
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, Extract, Transform, Load, Snowflake Schema, Star Schema, Business Intelligence, Data Modeling, Database Design, Data Management, Data Integration, Performance Tuning, Databases, Data Transformation, Scalability
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Databases, Stored Procedure, Relational Databases, Database Design, Query Languages, Database Management, Data Analysis, Jupyter, Data Manipulation, Pandas (Python Package), Transaction Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Extract, Transform and Load Data in Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Power BI, Data Validation, Data Transformation, Data Cleansing, Data Storage, Data Quality, Data Analysis, Data Integration, Data Storage Technologies, Business Intelligence
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
857 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting
Skills you'll gain: Linux Commands, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, File Management, Unix Shell, Linux, Unix Commands, Linux Servers, Command-Line Interface, Scripting Languages, Unix, Operating Systems, Network Protocols, OS Process Management, Automation, Software Installation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Excel Formulas, Extract, Transform, Load, Power BI, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Copilot, Data Modeling, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Star Schema, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Spreadsheet Software, Data Validation, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Transformation, Data Cleansing, Data Storage
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.3K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google Business Intelligence
Skills you'll gain: Business Intelligence, Data Modeling, Dashboard, Database Design, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Integration, Stakeholder Engagement, Professional Networking, Data Warehousing, Data Presentation, Performance Tuning, Data Pipelines, Data Visualization Software, Business Reporting, Data Integrity, Business Analytics, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development, LinkedIn, Relationship Building
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
The Path to Insights: Data Models and Pipelines
Skills you'll gain: Data Modeling, Database Design, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Warehousing, Performance Tuning, Data Pipelines, Data Integrity, Business Intelligence, Business Process, Data Mart, Data Validation, Statistical Reporting, Data Quality, SQL
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
640 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
SQL: A Practical Introduction for Querying Databases
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Relational Databases, Microsoft SQL Servers, MySQL, Query Languages, Database Systems, Databases, Database Management, Stored Procedure, IBM DB2, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Transaction Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
591 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Python Project for Data Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Transformation, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Manipulation, SQL, Integrated Development Environments, Data Processing, Databases, Application Programming Interface (API), Code Review, Restful API, Python Programming, Unit Testing, Style Guides
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
768 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks