When Not to Use a Heap

• Do not use a heap when the data is frequently returned in a sorted order. A clustered index on the sorting column could avoid the sorting operation.
• Do not use a heap when the data is frequently grouped together. Data must be sorted before it is grouped, and a clustered index on the sorting column could avoid the sorting operation.
• Do not use a heap when ranges of data are frequently queried from the table. A clustered index on the range column will avoid sorting the entire heap.
• Do not use a heap when there are no nonclustered indexes and the table is large. In a heap, all rows of the heap must be read to find any row.