---
title: "DB2 in simple way: what is index only access"
description: "Most programmers confuse on index only access. This post tells in simple way how DB2 index only access works, and how it improves performance."
url: https://srinimf.com/2016/09/17/db2-in-simple-way-what-is-index-only-access/
date: 2016-09-17
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/index-only-access.png?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1
categories: ["DB2"]
tags: ["How to know Table is applied Index only"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# DB2 in simple way: what is index only access

The definition in very simple English is ,if all the data being retrieved is present in index, then DB2 satisfy the query without Accessing base table. The index only access in db2 is a key measurement for performance of your SQL Query.

Related[The Essential Guide to 8 Index Access Paths in DB2](https://srinimf.com/2023/04/15/8-index-access-paths-db2-uses-for-sql-performance1-of-2/)

So additional reads of table pages not required,then I/o is reduced, then performance will be increased.

The same you can find in PLAN_TABLE results as

INDEX ONLY: Y

This means Accessing index is enough and no need to access table.

The below five columns you need to refer in PLAN_TABLE

1. ACCESSTYPE
2. MATCHCOLS
3. ACCESSCREATOR
4. ACCESSNAME
5. INDEDEX ONLY

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