A request for performing a data storing operation directed to a database table that comprises a plurality of table columns is received. Columnar compression metadata is accessed to identify one or more table columns in the database table, each of the one or more table columns being designated to store compressed columnar values. The columnar compression metadata is used to apply one or more columnar compression methods to generate, from one or more uncompressed columnar values received with the request for the data storing operation, one or more compressed columnar values to be persisted in the one or more table columns in the database table. A database statement is executed to persist the one or more compressed columnar values in the one or more table columns in the database table.