Describing Objects

Owned by Michael Kemezis (Deactivated)
Last updated: Mar 03, 2022 by Sydney Fournier
3 min read

Overview

In this step, you will be:

  1. Creating a spreadsheet template

  2. Describing your objects in the template

Using spreadsheet ingest for the first time, it is best to schedule an orientation with CTDA Staff by emailing ctda@uconn.edu. The CTDA will work with you to create a customized template for your institution and/or project.

Jump to

Creating a Template

  • Once you have chosen a template, you need to make a copy to your own Google account.

  • Do this by going to File → Make a Copy

  • Once you have saved a copy, you can fill out the spreadsheet for your project.

If you are undertaking a large digital project and plan on using spreadsheet ingest extensively, you should contact CTDA staff at ctda@uconn.edu to discuss creating a customized template for your institution.

Enter Metadata

Ingesting Newspapers or Books?

If you are ingesting newspaper issues and pages using a spreadsheet template, please see the Adding Newspapers Using the Spreadsheet Ingest Module guide for instructions on entering information into specific columns in the spreadsheet.

If you are ingesting books using a spreadsheet template, please see the Adding Books Using the Spreadsheet Ingest Module guide for instructions on entering information into specific columns in the spreadsheet.

Metadata Tips!

binary_file column

Enter the file name for the object you are describing in this cell. The file name you enter in the cell MUST match exactly to the file name of the object, including file extension. If the file name does not match in spelling, capitalization and punctuation, the system will reject the object during ingest.

Title and Label Columns

The system calls for both a title and a label for objects. To make things easier, these two columns should be exactly the same.

Using the Pipe ( | )!

Most fields allow for multiple metadata entries in the same cell. Enter multiple entries with a pipe ( | ). For example, two name can be entered in the same cell as Smith, John|Jones, Ryann

Creator/Contributor

Every name or company listed in the Creator fields needs a role entered into the Role column. If a role is missed, the template will not ingest

Place_Publisher

Use this field for PUBLISHED WORKS only! Enter the place of publication first followed by a pipe (|) and then the publisher, e.g. New York, NY|Scholastic, Inc.

Dates

All dates follow the YYYY-MM-DD format.

Date_range

For a date range, enter the first date in the YYYY-MM-DD format, followed by a pipe (|) and then the second date in the YYYY-MM-DD formation, e.g. 1990-01-31|1991-12-31

Rights

This metadata element is required. If left blank or contains a value not int he drop down, the objects in the spreadsheet template will be rejected.

parent_object

Enter the PID of the collection you want your object to appear under. The PID includes the namespace of your institution, a colon, and the text after the colon, e.g. 10002:CTDA