Normalizing the Data › Normal Forms of Data › First Normal Form

First Normal Form

A data table is in first normal form if each of the attributes of a given row contains a single value. A table in first normal form has no repeating groups.

Table not in first normal form

Since the following table contains a repeating element called BUDGET, it is not in first normal form:

Note: In these examples, primary key attributes are highlighted.

      DEPARTMENT

DEPT ID   DEPT NAME     BUDGET

1000      OPERATIONS    50000
                        30000
                        40000
                        30000

Table in first normal form

The following table is in first normal form:

      DEPARTMENT

DEPT ID   DEPT NAME
1000      OPERATIONS
2046      DEVELOPMENT
3333      DOCUMENTATION
5653      MARKETING