ETL processes stand for Extract, Transform, and Load, which are essential steps in data integration. In the first step, data is extracted from various sources, such as databases, spreadsheets, or APIs. This data can come from different formats and systems, making it crucial to gather all relevant information for analysis. Once the data is extracted, it undergoes transformation, where it is cleaned, organized, and formatted to meet specific requirements. This step ensures that the data is accurate and consistent. Finally, the transformed data is loaded into a target system, such as a data warehouse, where it can be accessed and analyzed by users or applications.