Interoperability metadata

Every dataset has a standard set of metadata fields to allow you to describe your data—indeed we strongly encourage you to maintain high-quality metadata in general. However, specific "interoperability metadata" was developed to standardize metadata in datasets across different systems and platforms, and some networks of data providers and consumers may require you to use one of these specific sets of metadata fields.

To activate these metadata fields, in your back office go to Catalog > Metadata templates, then click on the Interoperability tab. There you will see a list of the available sets of interoperability metadata we support.

Once activated, those fields can be configured in the Information tab of the edition interface of a dataset, each metadata standard having its own specific tab. Once the dataset is published, all interoperability metadata will be displayed in the dataset's Information tab in your portal.

Interoperability metadata is available for the following standards: DCAT, DCAT-AP, DCAT-AP-HVD, DCAT-AP for Flanders, DCAT-AP for Germany, DCAT-AP for Italy, DCAT-AP for Switzerland, Dublin Core, and INSPIRE.

Custom interoperability metadata can be created and activated on demand.

DCAT

For more information about DCAT metadata, please refer to the W3C Data Catalog Vocabulary (DCAT) documentation. To know how to configure the metadata on the Opendatasoft platform, refer to the table below.

Note that catalogs with DCAT metadata have a specific export format that is automatically enabled when you activate the template.

Name	Usage
Created	Indicate the date when the dataset was created. Exposed as `dct:created` in DCAT export format.
Issued	Indicate the publication date of the dataset. Exposed as `dct:issued` in DCAT export formats.
Creator	Indicate the name of the entity that created the dataset. Exposed as `dct:creator` in all DCAT export formats.
Contributor	Indicate the name of an entity responsible for making contributions to the dataset. Exposed as `dct:contributor` in DCAT export formats.
Contact name	Indicate the name of the entity where comments and feedback about the dataset can be sent. Exposed as `vcard:fn` of the `dcat:contactPoint` in the DCAT export format.
Contact email	Indicate the email of the entity where comments and feedback about the dataset can be sent. Exposed as `vcard:hasEmail` of the `dcat:contactPoint` in the DCAT export format.
Accrual periodicity	Indicate the frequency at which dataset is published. Exposed as `dct:accrualPeriodicity` in the DCAT export format.
Spatial	Indicate the geographical area covered by the dataset. Exposed as `dct:spatial` in the DCAT export format. We recommend using a well known and well maintained URI such as a GeoNames URI.
Temporal	Indicate the temporal period covered by the dataset. Exposed as `dct:temporal` in the DCAT export format. Value should be a well known URI to a ressource representing a date period. If you want to define your own date interval, see Temporal coverage start date and Temporal coverage end date metadata.
Granularity	Indicate the level of granularity of the dataset. This metadata is deprecated and not exposed in DCAT export format.
Data quality	Indicate the quality of the data. This metadata is deprecated and not exposed in DCAT export format.
Publisher type	The entity type responsible for making the item available. Exposed as `dct:type` of the `dcterms:publisher` in the DCAT export format.
Conforms to	Indicate the standard to which the described resource conforms. Exposed as `dcterms:conformsTo` in DCAT export formats.
Temporal coverage start date	Indicate the start date of the time interval covered by the dataset. Exposed as `dcat:startDate` of the `dct:temporal` in the DCAT export format.
Temporal coverage end date	Indicate the end date of the time interval covered by the dataset. Exposed as `dcat:endDate` of the `dct:temporal` in the DCAT export format.
Access Rights	Indicate who can access the dataset or an indication of its security status. Exposed as `dct:accessRights` in the DCAT export format.

DCAT-AP

The DCAT-AP specification, based on the W3C's DCAT specification, was created to standardize how public sector datasets are described in Europe and to improve their search performance.

Note that we don't currently offer a catalog export format for this model.

Name	API name	Type	Usage
Title (inherited from Standard)	title	Text	A dataset's title can always be modified, and all special characters are supported. Note that modifying the title does not change the technical identifier of the dataset.
Description (inherited from Standard)	description	Long text with HTML	Write a dataset description in the textbox. HTML is accepted. A set of formatting options are available in the grey bar at the top of the textbox: hover the buttons for more information and click on the chosen buttons to use any formatting option.
Themes	theme	Multi-select	This property refers to a category of the Dataset. A Dataset may be associated with multiple themes.
Keywords (inherited from Standard)	keyword	Free list	Write one or more keywords in the textbox. These can contain special characters and be comprised of one or more words. (optional) A list of already used keywords appears, matching the letters just written in the textbox. It is possible to click on one of these keywords to reuse them. Once the keyword is selected or written, press Enter. (optional) To add other keywords, repeat steps 1 to 3 of this procedure. To delete a keyword, click on the cross to the right of the keyword.
Contact point name	contact_name	Text	This property contains the contact name that can be used for sending comments about the Dataset.
Contact point email	contact_email	Text	This property contains the contact email that can be used for sending comments about the Dataset.
Publisher (inherited from Standard)	publisher	Text	An entity responsible for making the resource available.
Publisher type	publisher_type	Single-select	This property refers to the type of the entity (organisation) responsible for making the Dataset available.
Spatial bbox	spatial_bbox	Geo-shape	This property is produced automatically and is not modifiable. It is included when the metadata is exported.
Spatial centroid	spatial_centroid	Geo-shape	This property is produced automatically and is not modifiable. It is included when the metadata is exported.
Temporal coverage: start date	temporal_startDate	Date & time	This property refers to the start date of the temporal period that the Dataset covers.
Temporal coverage: end date	temporal_endDate	Date & time	This property refers to the end date of the temporal period that the Dataset covers.
Accrual Periodicity	accrualPeriodicity	Single-select	The frequency at which the dataset is published.

DCAT-AP-HVD (High-Value Datasets)

As of June 9, 2024, an EU directive requires public bodies to make certain high-value datasets (HVD) freely accessible, such as datasets relating to geospatial, environmental, meteorological, statistical, business, or mobility data. The DCAT-AP-HVD template helps ensure your datasets comply with the directive.

Once this template is enabled, these metadata will appear as a part of your DCAT, DCAT-AP, or national DCAT-AP exports.

National DCAT-APs

Some countries have extensions to the basic DCAT-AP template.

National DCAT-AP catalogs also have specific formats to be used when their catalogs are downloaded through the Explore API. These export formats can be activated on request.

Indeed, the DCAT-AP countries are required to create the export which is then used to reference the data with the national portal. For further information, please consult the dedicated article "Referencing your datasets with your national open data portal."

Note that Spain and Sweden are special cases. They do not require additional DCAT fields and therefore do not appear in the list of DCAT countries in Opendatasoft. However, they use specific catalog export formats which are also available on request.

DCAT-AP for Flanders

Flanders adds two fields to the standard DCAT metadata. Remember that Flanders uses a special format when exporting the catalog that can be activated on demand.

Name	Usage
Organisatie identificator	Indicate the publisher's identifier of the dataset as it appears in data.vlaanderen. Exposed as `dct:identifier` of the `dct:publisher` in the DCAT-AP-VL export format.
Statuut	Indicate the basis on which the catalog resource is available. Exposed as `dcatapvl:statuut` in the DCAT-AP-VL export format.

DCAT-AP for Germany

Germany adds two fields to the standard DCAT metadata. Remember that Germany uses a special format when exporting the catalog that can be activated on demand.

Name

Usage

Ebene des verwaltungspolitischen Geobezug

Indicate the geopolitical level covered by the dataset (e.g., state, municipality, etc.). Exposed as dcatde:politicalGeocodingLevelURI in the DCAT-AP-DE export format.

Verwaltungspolitischer Geobezug

Indicate the administrative area of the Federal Republic of Germany covered by the dataset. Exposed as dcatde:politicalGeocodingURI in the DCAT-AP-DE export format. A URI corresponding to the geopolitical level should be used.

DCAT-AP for Italy

Italy adds one additional field to the standard DCAT metadata. Remember that Italy uses a special format when exporting the catalog that can be activated on demand.

Name	Usage
Identificativo del editore	Indicate the publisher's identifier. Exposed as `dct:identifier` of the `dct:publisher` in the DCAT-AP-IT export format. If possible, we recommend using the IPA (Public Administrative Index) code of the the publisher.

DCAT-AP for Switzerland

Switzerland adds two fields to the standard DCAT metadata. Remember that Switzerland uses a special format when exporting the catalog that can be activated on demand.

Name	Usage
Domain	Indicate the identifier of the domain for the dataset. Exposed as `dct:identifier` in the DCAT-AP-CH export format. It will be displayed as follow: `datasetid@domain`
Rights	Indicate the statement that specifies the set of rights accorded on the dataset. Exposed as `dct:rights` in the DCAT-AP-CH export.

Dublin Core

Dublin Core is a metadata standard begun by the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative, the first version of which was published in 1995. For more information, see the DCMI's webpage and the Dublin Core metadata terms.

Note that catalogs with Dublin Core metadata use a specific export format that is automatically enabled when you activate the template.

Name	API name	Type	Usage
Title (inherited from Standard)	title	Text	A name given to the resource.
Alternative Title	alternative	Text	An alternative name for the resource. Subproperty of Title.
Subject	subject	Free list	A topic of the resource.
Description (inherited from Standard)	description	Long text with HTML	An account of the resource.
Abstract	abstract	Long text with HTML	A summary of the resource. Subproperty of Description.
Table Of Contents	tableOfContent	Free list	A list of subunits of the resource. Subproperty of Description.
Type	type	Single-select	The nature or genre of the resource.
Language	language	Single-select	A language of the resource. Controlled vocabulary consisting of ISO 639-2 language codes.
Coverage	coverage	Free list	The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, spatial applicability of the resource, or jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant.
Spatial Coverage	spatial	Text	Spatial characteristics of the resource. Subproperty of Coverage.
Temporal coverage start date	temporal_start	Date & time	Temporal characteristics of the resource. Subproperty of Coverage.
Temporal coverage end date	temporal_end	Date & time	Temporal characteristics of the resource. Subproperty of Coverage.
Relation	relation	Text	A related resource that is supplanted, displaced, or superseded by the described resource.
Source	source	Text	A related resource from which the described resource is derived. Subproperty of Relation.
Replaces	replaces	Text	A related resource that is supplanted, displaced, or superseded by the described resource. Subproperty of Relation.
References	references	Text	A related resource that is referenced, cited, or otherwise pointed to by the described resource. Subproperty of Relation.
Requires	requires	Text	A related resource that is required by the described resource to support its function, delivery, or coherence. Subproperty of Relation.
Conforms To	conformsTo	Text	An established standard to which the described resource conforms. Subproperty of Relation.
Has Format	hasFormat	Text	A related resource that is substantially the same as the pre-existing described resource, but in another format. Subproperty of Relation.
Has Part	hasPart	Text	A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Subproperty of Relation.
Has Version	hasVersion	Text	A related resource that is a version, edition, or adaptation of the described resource. Subproperty of Relation.
Is Format Of	isFormatOf	Text	A pre-existing related resource that is substantially the same as the described resource, but in another format. Subproperty of Relation.
Is Part Of	isPartOf	Text	A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Subproperty of Relation.
Is Version Of	isVersionOf	Text	A related resource of which the described resource is a version, edition, or adaptation. Subproperty of Relation.
Is Referenced By	isReferencedBy	Text	A related resource that references, cites, or otherwise points to the described resource. Subproperty of Relation.
Is Replaced By	isReplacedBy	Text	A related resource that supplants, displaces, or supersedes the described resource. Subproperty of Relation.
Is Required By	isRequiredBy	Text	A related resource that requires the described resource to support its function, delivery, or coherence. Subproperty of Relation.
Contributor	contributor	Free list	A list of entities responsible for making contributions to the resource.
Creator	creator	Text	An entity responsible for making the resource. Subproperty of Contributor.
Publisher (inherited from Standard)	publisher	Text	An entity responsible for making the resource available.
Rights	rights	Text	Information about rights held in and over the resource.
Access Rights	accessRights	Free list	Information about who access the resource or an indication of its security status. Subproperty of Rights.
License (inherited from Standard)	license	Text	A legal document giving official permission to do something with the resource. Subproperty of Rights.
Date start	date_start	Date & time	A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource.
Date end	date_end	Date & time	A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource.
Available start date	available_start	Date & time	Date that the resource became or will become available. Subproperty of Date.
Available end date	available_end	Date & time	Date that the resource became or will become unavailable. Subproperty of Date.
Date Created	created	Date & time	Date of creation of the resource. Subproperty of Date.
Date Accepted	dateAccepted	Date & time	Date of acceptance of the resource. Subproperty of Date.
Date Copyrighted	dateCopyrighted	Date & time	Date of copyright of the resource. Subproperty of Date.
Date Submitted	dateSubmitted	Date & time	Date of submission of the resource. Subproperty of Date.
Date Issued	issued	Date & time	Date of formal issuance of the resource. Subproperty of Date.
Date Modified (inherited from Standard)	modified	Date & time	Date on which the resource was changed. Subproperty of Date.
Valid (Start)	valid_start	Date & time	Starting Date of validity of a resource. Subproperty of Date.
Valid (End)	valid_end	Date & time	Ending Date of validity of a resource. Subproperty of Date.
Format	format	Single-select	The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource. Consisting of IANA mimetypes of ODS formats.
Extent	extent	Text	The size or duration of the resource. Subproperty of Format.
Medium	medium	Text	The material or physical carrier of the resource. Subproperty of Format.
Identifier	identifier	Text	An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context.
Bibliographic Citation	bibliographicCitation	Free list	A list of bibliographic reference for the resource. Subproperty of Identifier.
Rights Holder	rightsHolder	Text	A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource.
Accrual Method	accrualMethod	Single-select	The method by which items are added to a collection.
Accrual Periodicity	accrualPeriodicity	Single-select	The frequency with which items are added to a collection.
Accrual Policy	accrualPolicy	Single-select	The policy governing the addition of items to a collection.
Audience	audience	Text	A class of agents for whom the resource is intended or useful.
Audience Education Level	educationLevel	Text	A class of agents, defined in terms of progression through an educational or training context, for which the described resource is intended.
Instructional Method	instructionalMethod	Text	A process, used to engender knowledge, attitudes and skills, that the described resource is designed to support.
Mediator	mediator	Text	An entity that mediates access to the resource.
Provenance	provenance	Text	A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation.

INSPIRE

INSPIRE metadata are defined by the European Commission. They are part of an effort to maintain a common European infrastructure for spatial information related to environmental policies and programs in the European Union. INSPIRE metadata focus particularly on datasets with geographic coordinates.

Note that we don't currently offer a specific export format for this model.

For more information about INSPIRE metadata, please refer to the INSPIRE knowledge base. To know how to configure the metadata on the Opendatasoft platform, refer to the table below.

Name	Usage
Theme	Click on the theme textbox to open the drop-down menu, and select a theme. (optional) To add another theme to the dataset, click on the + button to the right of the textbox, and follow steps 1 and 2 for this additional theme.
Type	Click on the type textbox to open the drop-down menu, and select a type. (optional) To add another type to the dataset, click on the + button on the right of the textbox, and follow steps 1 and 2 for this additional theme.
File identifier	Indicate the file identifier in the textbox
Hierarchy level	Indicate the hierarchy level in the textbox
Hierarchy level name	Indicate the hierarchy level name in the textbox
Spatial resolution	Indicate the spatial resolution in the textbox
Topological consistency	Indicate the topological consistency in the textbox
Contact name	Indicate the contact name in the textbox
Contact position	Indicate the contact position in the textbox
Contact address	Indicate the contact address in the textbox
Contact email	Indicate the contact email in the textbox
Purpose	Indicate the purpose in the textbox. HTML is accepted. A set of formatting options are available in the gray bar at the top of the textbox: Hover over the buttons for more information and click on the chosen buttons to use any formatting option.
Geographic area description	Indicate the description of the geographic area in the textbox
Westbound longitude	Indicate the Westbound longitude in the textbox
Eastbound longitude	Indicate the Eastbound longitude in the textbox
Southbound latitude	Indicate the Southbound latitude in the textbox
Northbound latitude	Indicate the Northbound latitude in the textbox