Description
Source
Author
Other versions
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Please give full information for the description, date, source and author fields.

The date of a photograph must be when the original photograph was created, and not the date of upload, nor the date of scanning or digitizing. If the photographic image has been modified please give author, date and license for each modification. Please use template {{Artwork}} or {{Art photo}} if the image is of a painting, sculpture or other artwork and {{Book}} if the image is a part of a complete set of page scans of a book (or in the case of DjVu and PDF, one file may comprise all the pages).

This template is used to provide formatting to the basic information for files (description, source, author, etc.), and it is automatically inserted by the upload tools. All the field names are not case sensitive. The template is able to access information in Structured Data on Commons (SDC), so if proper SDC data is used some or even all the fields can be ommited.

For a full usage description of the template, see Commons:First steps/Quality and description.

The template automatically sets the following categories: Category:Author matching Creator template, Creator template not used when appropriate

Usage

{{Information
 |description    =
 |date           =
 |source         =
 |author         =
 |permission     =
 |other versions =
}}

Template parameters

ParameterDescriptionDefaultStatus
description
Description
DescriptionDescription of the image or other media file. The content of the description should provide brief (if possible) but complete information about the image. It should:
  • Identify subject like notable people (use {{Depicted person}} template), animals, objects, cars, weapons, etc.
  • Identify location (if relevant) by text, like: city, country, building name or address, etc.
  • Note that location coordinates are not directly included as separate field in the "Information" template. Template {{Location}} (for camera location and heading, preferred) and/or {{Object location}} (for the depicted objects) should be used. Template {{Location}} should be placed directly above or below {{Information}}.
    Note: some users prefer to include location template(s) into the "Description" field of {{Information}} template in order to group all location information together—this solution is fully serviceable but objections are in point of graphic design not ideal adjusted for such use. See this discussion and also this one.
  • In general, description should provide information to support all subject categories of the file.
  • In case of group pictures or other images where image details might warrant separate description please use image annotations, but remember that those annotations might not be visible on Wikipedias which did not adopt the gadget to display them.

The description format should use:

When the name of the file is enough descriptive that it could be used in the file description without alteration, the short notation {{F|F}} can be used (with or without additional text) e.g. |description={{en|{{F|F}}.}}

An alternative or complement to this field is a structured data caption.
SDC's captions followed by {{Description missing}}required
date
Date
Date of creationDate of creation, when the original source (such as photograph of 3-D scene, digital file, or original 2-D artwork, or SVG drawing) was created. Possible formats:
  • ISO 8601 is the preferred format, e.g. "2006-01-15" for "15 January 2006". Dates following this format are processed by {{ISOdate}}. The following formats are recognized:
    • YYYY
    • YYYY-MM
    • YYYY-MM-DD
    • YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm[1]
    • YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss[1]
  • Use {{Other date}} for less precise dates, like: circa…, after…, spring of…, between…, etc.
  • It is possible to use {{Date}} template. For example "date=2008-06-09" is equivalent to "date={{date|2008|6|9}}", but ISO 8601 format is preferred.
    In many cases multiple dates and/or extra explanations are required:
  • For photos, we have special templates {{Taken on}} and {{Taken in}} to indicate when the photograph was taken and to distinguish it from the creation date of the depicted work, or from the creation date of the derivative work (modified or cropped photo, collage etc.). Those templates use ISO format (e. g. {{Taken on|YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm}} or {{Taken in|YYYY}}).
  • If the date is missing, but the digital file has EXIF data, then the {{According to EXIF data}} template can be added (usually done by a bot). The templates use the ISO format (e. g. {{According to EXIF data|YYYY-MM-DD}}).
  • If the creation date of a file moved from other project is unknown, {{Original upload date}} can be used — this template should be also used (in addition) if the first publication date (outside Commons) is relevant in relation to copyright. This template also uses the ISO format.
  • If the creation date of a file (not moved from other project) is unknown, {{Upload date}} can be used. This template also uses the ISO format.
  • If the file is a modified or derivative work, then both the date of the original (source) work and the date of the last version (derivative work) should be stated with appropriate comments or notes.
  • If the date has to be furnished with some specifying text, not covered by one of the above templates, (e. g. "date of creation", "date of the first publication", "date of modification" etc.) then dates have to be specified using {{ISOdate}} (i.e. {{ISOdate|2009-08-18}} (date of creation)) or {{Date}} (i.e. {{date|2008|6|9}} (date of modification)) templates.
  • If the file is not a simple copy of the depicted work, the date or year of the creation of the depicted work should be stated rather in the "description" field.
An alternative to using this field is to use SDC's inception (P571) property. See Commons:Structured data/Modeling/Date for supported formats.
SDC's inception (P571)suggested
source
Source
SourceInformation about where the file is from (own files should be tagged with {{Own}}); if the file is based on other files then the original files should also be uploaded (if possible) and referenced. Possible content:
  • {{Own}} for works uploaded by the author
  • {{Own based}} for works based on other images already on Commons. This template takes its own parameters for the names of the files on which the image is based, and is used thus: {{own based|name of first file.jpg|name of second file.svg}}
  • {{Own using}} (no parameters) may alternatively be used to indicate the (data) source used to generate a diagram, e.g. URL where the file was found on the web, i.e. its url or its web address, etc.
  • {{Sf}} for photos created by the author
  • {{Private correspondence}} for previously unpublished works uploaded at the behest of a third party who wishes to remain confidential (such works must be connected with an VRT ticket and the tag {{subst:OP}} should be added to the file after an email with a permission statement has been sent to VRTS)
  • {{Derived from}} when it is derived from other files, a list of those files
  • Book reference (using {{Scan}} and {{Cite book}} templates) for images scanned from a book. If image was scanned by the uploader that should be mentioned too: {{Own scan}}
  • {{Transferred from}} for works transferred from Wikipedia
An alternative to using this field is to use SDC's source of file (P7482) property. See Commons:Structured data/Modeling/Source for supported formats.
SDC's source of file (P7482),
{{Source missing}}
required
author
Author
AuthorOriginal author[2] of the file; where appropriate, use {{Creator|Name Surname}}. If the work is derived from or depicts works by someone other than the author, the author of the original work should also be mentioned. For example, for a photograph of a sculpture, make a mention of both the sculptor and the photographer; for vectorizing, use the template {{AutVec}}. This field should not be used to specify the name of the person who is the scanner, finder, or uploader of the image – these things do not make that person the author. Possible content:
  • {{Original uploader}} To indicate the original author who originally upload the work on Wikipedia.
An alternative to using this field is to use SDC's creator (P170) property. See Commons:Structured data/Modeling/Author for supported formats.
SDC's creator (P170),
{{Author missing}}
required
permission
Permission
PermissionLicense and other usage limitations and warnings. Due to the size of many license templates, they are often placed in a separate section below {{Information}} template, e.g. the == {{int:license-header}} ==. In such a case, please leave this field blank!
The license is related primarily to the file itself. If need to state a license of the depicted (or other source) work, include it additionally with appropriate comment. If needed, use relevant FoP templates. You can use {{Artwork}} instead of {{Information}} for simple copies of artworks.
emptyoptional
other versions
Other versions
other_versions
Other_versions
Other versionsLinks to files with very similar content or derived files; use thumbnails with {{F}} or gallery tags, e.g. {{G}}. If appropriate, {{Derivative versions}} is useful. See also: Other versions templates.emptyoptional
other fields
Other fields
other_fields
Other_fields
Other fieldsAdditional table fields added on the bottom of the template. You have to use {{Information field}}/{{InFi}} or a specialized template (e.g. {{Credit line}}, {{Image generation}}, {{Taken with ...}}, {{Created with code}}, {{Tincture}}, {{Hdbg}}, {{Tbc}}, {{Flickr Tags}}) to populate this field.emptyoptional
other fields 1
Other fields 1
other_fields_1
Other_fields_1
Other fields 1Additional table fields added between Description and Date rows. You have to use {{Information field}}/{{InFi}} or a specialized template (e.g. {{Credit line}}, {{Image generation}}, {{Taken with ...}}, {{Created with code}}, {{Tincture}}, {{Hdbg}}, {{Tbc}}, {{Flickr Tags}}) to populate this field.emptyoptional

Additional information

The template is intended to be used in the following namespaces: the File namespace

The template is intended to be used by the following user groups: all users

Relies on:
Template:ISOdate, Template:Parse source, Module:TemplatePar

References:
  1. a b Date should be a date, preferred without any timestamping
  2. Author should be a link, but without the link to a user talk space

Localization

This template is localized by utilizing MediaWiki namespace messages. These can be translated at translatewiki.net (current translations).

TemplateData

This template is used to provide formatting to the basic information for files (description, source, author, etc.). For a full usage description of the template, see Commons:First steps/Quality and description.

Template parameters[Edit template data]

This template has custom formatting.

ParameterDescriptionTypeStatus
Descriptiondescription Description

Description of the image or media file, including subject and location

Default
{{description missing}}
Example
Photo of a penguin in Antarctica
Stringrequired
Date of creationdate Date

When the original source was created

Example
2001-12-31
Datesuggested
Sourcesource Source

Where the file is from. Your own files should be tagged with {{own}}.

Default
{{source missing}}
Stringrequired
Authorauthor Author

Original author of the file; where appropriate, use {{Creator:Name Surname}}.

Default
{{author missing}}
Linerequired
Permissionpermission Permission

License and other usage limitations and warnings

Contentsuggested
Other versionsother versions other_versions Other versions Other_versions

Links to files with very similar content or derived files

Fileoptional
Other fieldsother fields other_fields Other_fields Other fields

Additional table fields added on the bottom of the template

Fileoptional
Other fields 1other fields 1 other_fields_1 Other_fields_1 Other fields 1

Additional table fields added between Description and Date rows

Fileoptional
langlang Lang

no description

Unknowndeprecated
demodemo Demo

no description

Unknowndeprecated

Example usage

Example for photograph

For example the source code of the description of photograph File:Piers Sellers spacewalk.jpg is:

{{Information
 | Description =
{{de|Astronaut [[:de:Piers John Sellers|Piers Sellers]] bei einem Außenbordeinsatz während der Space-Shuttle-Mission [[:de:STS-121|STS-121]], bei dem er Reparaturtechniken für den Hitzeschutzschild der Raumfähre testet. Der Außenbordeinsatz dauerte 7 Stunden und 11 Minuten.}}
{{en|Astronaut [[w:Piers Sellers|Piers Sellers]] during the third spacewalk of STS-121, a demonstration of orbiter heat shield repair techniques.}}
{{fr|L'astronaute [[:fr:Piers Sellers|Piers Sellers]] durant sa troisième sortie dans l'espace au cours du vol STS-121, une démonstration des techniques de réparation du bouclier thermique.}}
{{it|L'astronauta [[:it:Piers Sellers|]] durante la terza camminata nello spazio nel corso della missione STS-121 mentre esegue un test di riparazione delle mattonelle rinforzate carbonio-carbonio dello Shuttle.}}
{{nds|De Astronaut [[Piers Sellers]] de drüdde Kehr, dat he mit’n Ruumantog in’n apen Weltruum togang weer. Sellers wiest Reparaturtechniken för den Hittschild von’n Orbiter.}}
{{ru|Астронавт [[:ru:Селлерс, Пирс Джон|Пирс Селлерс]] во время третьего выхода в открытый космос (STS-121) при ремонте орбитального теплового экрана.}}
{{fi|Astronautti [[:fi:Piers Sellers|Piers Sellers]] avaruussukkulalento STS-121:n kolmannella avaruuskävelyllä. Avaruuskävelyn tehtävänä oli kokeilla sukkulan lämpökilven korjaustekniikoita.}}
{{ja|STS-121の3回目の船外活動中の宇宙飛行士[[w:ja:ピアーズ・セラーズ|ピアーズ・セラーズ]]、オービターの熱シールド修理技術のデモンストレーション。}}
 | Date = 2006-07-12
 | Source = [http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/index.html NASA News & Events] – http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/121_gallery/hi-resjpgs/14.jpg, from http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/121_gallery/index_noaccess.html
 | Author = NASA, astronaut [[w:Michael E. Fossum|Michael Edward Fossum]]
 | Permission =
 | Other versions =
}}

The code hereinbefore produces the following information table:

Description
Deutsch: Astronaut Piers Sellers bei einem Außenbordeinsatz während der Space-Shuttle-Mission STS-121, bei dem er Reparaturtechniken für den Hitzeschutzschild der Raumfähre testet. Der Außenbordeinsatz dauerte 7 Stunden und 11 Minuten.
English: Astronaut Piers Sellers during the third spacewalk of STS-121, a demonstration of orbiter heat shield repair techniques.
Français : L'astronaute Piers Sellers durant sa troisième sortie dans l'espace au cours du vol STS-121, une démonstration des techniques de réparation du bouclier thermique.
Italiano: L'astronauta Piers Sellers durante la terza camminata nello spazio nel corso della missione STS-121 mentre esegue un test di riparazione delle mattonelle rinforzate carbonio-carbonio dello Shuttle.
Plattdüütsch: De Astronaut Piers Sellers de drüdde Kehr, dat he mit’n Ruumantog in’n apen Weltruum togang weer. Sellers wiest Reparaturtechniken för den Hittschild von’n Orbiter.
Русский: Астронавт Пирс Селлерс во время третьего выхода в открытый космос (STS-121) при ремонте орбитального теплового экрана.
Suomi: Astronautti Piers Sellers avaruussukkulalento STS-121:n kolmannella avaruuskävelyllä. Avaruuskävelyn tehtävänä oli kokeilla sukkulan lämpökilven korjaustekniikoita.
日本語: STS-121の3回目の船外活動中の宇宙飛行士ピアーズ・セラーズ、オービターの熱シールド修理技術のデモンストレーション。
Date
Source NASA News & Eventshttp://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/121_gallery/hi-resjpgs/14.jpg, from http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/121_gallery/index_noaccess.html
Author NASA, astronaut Michael Edward Fossum

Example of files using SDC

When files use SDC than the content of the template can be reduced to
{{Information}}
. See for example:

will produce:

Description
English: OpenRefine Commons editing - wikitext data extension Edit this at Structured Data on Commons
Date  Edit this at Structured Data on Commons
Source Own work Edit this at Structured Data on Commons
Author Sandra Fauconnier Edit this at Structured Data on Commons

will produce:

Description
English: A five year old hanging around bouldering wall in Sportrock climbing gym in Alexandria, Virginia, USA Edit this at Structured Data on Commons
Date  Edit this at Structured Data on Commons
Source Own work Edit this at Structured Data on Commons
Author Jarek Tuszyński Edit this at Structured Data on Commons

Example other_fields

Example using the other fields parameter to display a credit line:

{{Information
 | Description = Description
 | Date = 2008-06-09
 | Source = {{own}}
 | Author = John Doe
 | Other fields = {{Credit line |Author = © John Doe | Other = Wikimedia Commons |License = CC-BY-3.0 & GFDL}}
}}

will produce:

Description Description
Date
Source Own work
Author John Doe
Attribution
(required by the license)
InfoField
© John Doe / Wikimedia Commons / 
© John Doe / Wikimedia Commons

Recommendations

For many media it is desirable to use a geocoding template in addition to the Information template.

Microformat

This template also emits an hCalendar microformat marking the creation of the image as an event. To do this, it requires the {{Date}} template, and takes the file name as the "summary" property. Optionally, it can include the {{Creator}} as an attendee and an hCard microformat, and use the contents of {{Description}} as the hCalendar's "description" property. Coordinates may be included by use of {{Location}} or {{Object location}}.

See also Commons:Machine-readable data.

See also