Question

I have database with tables full of data. I would like to add indexes ( both clustered and non-clustered). Is it possible to add indexes without having to insert this data again ( I mean create new DB with indexes and export data from the old one to new one)? As I know clustered indexes are saved physically which means I won’t be able to do that without recreating DB. But still, is it possible to add indexes to existing database?

Answer 1

Is it possible to add indexes without having to insert this data again?

Yes. Not only is it possible, it makes little sense to remove the data before adding the indexes.

Adding an index to a large table may take a long time though.