CSV Data Dictionary quick guide

Elements of the data dictionary:

Column or Row Name

Metadata_Element	column_or_row_name
Reporting format statement	Column or row name from the data file.
Reporting format definition	Provide entries for each column or row name from the data matrix in the data file.
Required, Recommended or Optional	required

Metadata_Element	unit
Reporting format statement	Provide the format or variable unit of measurement.
Reporting format definition	Provide variable units of measurement. Insert "N/A" when units aren't applicable. Data should be represented with units of measurement approved by the International System of Units (SI). Non-SI units are accepted for use and should be defined and referenced.
Required, Recommended or Optional	required

Metadata_Element	definition
Reporting format statement	A complete unambiguous description.
Reporting format definition	A complete unambiguous description. Information may include: formulas used to calculate entry; definitions of coding systems (e.g. missing values, quality flags, etc.); detection limits; timestamp calculation; measurement of uncertainty, etc.
Required, Recommended or Optional	required

Metadata_Element	column_or_row_long_name
Reporting format statement	Human-readable name.
Reporting format definition	Longer human-readable column or row name. Sometimes this may be identical to Definition or even Column_or_Row_Name.
Required, Recommended or Optional	recommended

Metadata_Element	data_type
Reporting format statement	Define the data type.
Reporting format definition	Define the data type for each column (e.g. text, numeric, date)
Required, Recommended or Optional	recommended

Metadata_Element	missing_value_code
Reporting format statement	Report missing value code.
Reporting format definition	Report missing value code for each column if applicable. For columns containing numeric data, use "-9999" as the missing value code. For columns containing character data, use "N/A" as the missing value code. If a missing value code is not applicable for a column, leave this entry blank.
Required, Recommended or Optional	optional