# Keeping reference vs unique\_id in columns

**URL:** <https://forum.bubble.io/t/keeping-reference-vs-unique-id-in-columns/121500>\
**Category:** Questions\
**Created:** [November 17, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/keeping-reference-vs-unique-id-in-columns/121500 "2020-11-17T20:28:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dave.kolaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/74df32/32.png) [@dave.kolaja](https://forum.bubble.io/u/dave.kolaja)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/keeping-reference-vs-unique-id-in-columns/121500/1 "2020-11-17T20:28:40Z")

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Hello all,

maybe I have a silly question, but cannot find the answer anywhere. Is there any difference to reference a thing instead of writing unique\_id in table column? Of course the works is 10.000 times much easier with referenced things, but I mean, is there a difference in how is it handled by database? Like slowing down in large dbs?

Thank you,  
David