A method for updating an index in a database includes storing a plurality of changes to be made to a database index in a change table. Each of the changes is associated with an identifier. The method also includes sorting the changes in the change table based on the identifier associated with each of the changes. The method further includes updating the database index using the sorted changes. The database index includes a data block, and updating the database index includes applying at least two of the changes from the change table to the data block during a single operation.