When performing batch procedures that will modify or create a lot of records, it can be useful to use the PAUSE INDEXES command to temporarily disable the indexes of the target table. With the indexes enabled, each record action will cause the indexes to update and this can cause the process to take longer than it needs to be. Pausing the indexes can increase the speed of the process so that it can complete faster.

When the process is complete the indexes can be reenabled using the RESUME INDEXES command. When this command is called, the index for the table if fully rebuilt. This is more efficient then having some additional process keep track of each record action and adding the index in the order it would have been if it were never paused.