What type of data is defined as being in a format that facilitates searching, filtering, or extracting?

Structured data refers to information that is organized in a predefined manner, often within rows and columns, making it easily searchable, filterable, and extractable. This format typically resides in databases and spreadsheets, where each data point fits into a specific category, such as numeric values or dates. The organization allows for efficient querying using languages like SQL (Structured Query Language), enabling quick access to relevant information based on defined criteria.

In contrast, unstructured data lacks this organization and can include formats like text documents, videos, and social media posts. While it holds valuable information, the absence of a structured format makes it more challenging to search or analyze directly. Metadata, while useful for describing other data, does not inherently facilitate searching or extraction on its own. Raw data, typically in its original form before any processing or organization, may also be unstructured and therefore not optimized for easy retrieval or manipulation.