Which statement best describes data processing?

The statement that best describes data processing is transforming raw data into a usable format. Data processing is a comprehensive term that encompasses various activities aimed at converting unprocessed data into information that can be utilized for analysis, decision-making, and reporting. This includes cleaning, organizing, and structuring data to ensure it is appropriately formatted and ready for further analysis or use in applications.

While simply sorting data alphabetically is an aspect of data organization, it does not capture the full scope of data processing. Protecting data from unauthorized access pertains more to data security than to the actual manipulation or transformation of data. Presenting data in report formats is part of the final stages of utilizing processed data, but it does not encompass the entire process involved in data transformation and preparation.