Technical and user-friendly forms

All metadata items can be viewed in user-friendly format, that is, including key information from the selected metadata item(s) plus some key details from associated items e.g. a data element in user-friendly form would include only a few details drawn from the associated data element concept and value domain. This form is recommended for the majority of users who need to refer to a data standard.

Alternatively, some metadata items can be viewed in technical format, that is, including all information from the selected metadata item(s) plus detailed information from associated items. This form is recommended for users requiring comprehensive detail to further develop and manage an item and is available for the following metadata item types:

  • The technical data element view includes most attributes from its data element concept and value domain 
  • The technical data element concept view includes most attributes from its object class and property 
  • The technical value domain view includes most attributes from its classification scheme (if it has one)

How to view metadata in user-friendly or technical form

When viewing a data element, data element concept or value domain onscreen, you can either view it in user-friendly form or technical form.

  1. View the metadata item onscreen.
  2. To view in technical form, click the Show technical form Show long form icon link/icon located at the top right of the page below the top navigation bar. This link is only available if the metadata item is currently in user-friendly form.
  3. To view in user-friendly form, click the Show user-friendly form Show short form icon link/icon located at the top right of the page below the top navigation bar. This link is only available if the metadata item is currently in technical form.