Published February 23, 2023 | Version v1
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Databases and spreadsheets: A guide to good practice

  • 1. University of York

Contributors

  • 1. University of York - ADS
  • 2. University of Gothenburg

Description

Although databases and spreadsheets have different functions, in many cases these different types of application are used in a similar way to collect and store data (i.e., in rows and columns). From an archival perspective, the similarities become more apparent when the main properties of the formats are considered. For both databases and spreadsheets, these properties are the data values entered and the structure (tables and sheets) in which the data is entered. From this perspective, both databases and spreadsheets can be treated (and archived) in a similar way. 

This guide aims to provide an overview of what to consider when preserving the most common features of databases and spreadsheets. The guide highlights their similarities and how they can be handled in a similar way, but also their differences and which additional elements, functions and processes need to be documented. The guide does not provide detailed information on the design of databases and spreadsheets beyond that which affects their preservation. 

Files

Databases and spreadsheets - A guide to good practice.pdf

Files (549.7 kB)

Additional details

Funding

European Commission
ARIADNEplus – Advanced Research Infrastructure for Archaeological Data Networking in Europe - plus 823914