In Dynamics 365 databases, what does 'Indexing' refer to?

Indexing in Dynamics 365 databases refers to a process that significantly improves the speed of data retrieval. When data is stored in a database, it can reside in large tables, which may slow down queries as the system must scan through numerous records to find the relevant information. By creating an index on specific columns, the database can quickly locate and access the data, much like using an index in a book to find information without reading every page.

This mechanism allows for quicker searches and enhances overall database performance, especially in scenarios involving complex queries or large datasets. Therefore, indexing is essential for optimizing the efficiency of database operations, particularly when dealing with large volumes of data where speed of access is critical for user experience and application performance.