Abstract: With the widespread deployment of sensors-based measurement devices in smart distribution networks, the quantity, types,and rate of power distribution and consumption data are correspondingly increasing, leading to a significant overall scale expansion.These data inherently hold immense value, yet they simultaneously exert huge pressure on the communication and storage systems of distribution networks. Data compression serves as a crucial means to reduce the volume of power distribution and consumption data,effectively lowering the technical requirements for communication and storage facilities. It stands as a vital supporting technology for the digital and intelligent development of distribution networks. This paper provides a comprehensive review focusing on methods for data compression in distribution networks. Firstly, the background and main characteristics of smart distribution networks and data are analyzed. Then, from the perspectives of lossy and lossless compression, the basic principles, main application areas of commonly used compression algorithms are introduced, along with their research and application progress in the field of distribution networks. Finally, the future development direction for compression technology of power distribution and consumption data is discussed and prospected.