The process of “normalizing” tables into first, second, and third normal form (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) insures that your database will be simple, logical, and not have redundacies or inconsistencies.

First, convert your tables into first normal form (1NF). The normal forms are nested.

Converting to second normal form (2NF) can only be done after doing first normal form (1NF).

Converting to third normal form (3NF) can only be done after doing second normal form (2NF).

There are fourth and fifth normal forms (4NF, 5NF) as well as a domain-key normal form (DKNF) that give a higher degree of protection against modification anomolies.

Normalization is a repetitive process that involves repeatedly splitting and rejoining tables until the database designer is happy with the result.