A metadata updating method based on columnar storage in a distributed file system includes acquiring to-be-updated metadata in a data table, splitting data records of the data table into multiple row groups on a row basis, converting the data table into global file metadata and multiple row group files, where the row group file includes an actual data block, a data index block, a local metadata block, a metadata index block, and a file footer, determining whether the to-be-updated metadata belongs to the global file metadata, updating local metadata when the to-be-updated metadata does not belong to the global file metadata, and adding an updated local metadata block, an updated metadata index block, and an updated file footer to the multiple row group files according to updated local metadata. Dynamic updating of metadata saves time of executing an updating operation of this type and needed computing resources.