What best characterizes formatted data compared to unstructured data?

Formatted data is characterized by a predefined structure, which makes it easier to manipulate and analyze compared to unstructured data. This structured nature allows for straightforward querying, as formatted data typically adheres to a consistent schema or format, such as rows and columns in a database, JSON objects in APIs, or XML documents.

Because formatted data has consistent fields and data types, it can be easily processed using various data tools and programming languages. These structured elements provide a logical organization, allowing data engineers and analysts to write efficient queries and perform data transformations without needing extensive preprocessing.

In contrast, unstructured data lacks this organization, which often makes it challenging to retrieve specific information or analyze it effectively without first applying techniques like natural language processing or manual tagging.