Description
Source
Author
Other versions
Template documentationview · edit · history · purge ]
This documentation is transcluded from Template:Information/sandbox/doc.

Please give full information for the 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 any scan or other derivative action. If the photographic image has been modified please give author, date and license for each modification. Please use template {{Artwork}} 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.). This template is automatically inserted by the JavaScript-aided upload tool too.

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         =
 |image          =
 |permission     =
 |other versions =
}}

Template parameters

ParameterDescriptionDefaultStatus
description
Description
DescriptionDescription of the image or other media file. 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.
    Description format should use:
  • Multilingual templates like {{En}} or {{De}} to specify the language of the description.
  • Wikilinks to Wikipedia articles, Commons galleries or Commons categories. This helps with disambiguation and allows shorter format.
{{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) 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
    • YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss
  • 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.
emptyoptional
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|1=name of first file.jpg|2=name of second file.svg}} Please note that {{Own based}} may also be used to indicate the (data) source used to generate a diagram 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 OTRS ticket and the tag {{subst:OP}} should be added to the file after an email with a permission statement has been sent to OTRS)
  • URL where the file was found on the web, i.e. its url or its web address
  • {{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}}
{{Source missing}}required
author
Author
AuthorOriginal author 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 them the author.{{Author missing}}required
image
Image
ImageInformatiion about the generation of the file, or how the SVG image is drawn.emptyoptional
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. 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 <gallery> </gallery>.

If appropriate, {{Derivative versions}} is useful. See also: Other versions templates.

6d-td-en = Links to files with very similar content or derived files; use thumbnails or Gallery tags.
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, such as {{Credit line}}, {{Image generation}}, {{Taken with ...}}, or {{Tbc}} 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 such as {{Credit line}}, {{Image generation}}, {{Taken with ...}} or {{Tbc}} 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

Localization

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

TemplateData

Sandbox version of template that is used to provide formatting to the basic information for files (description, source, author, etc.).

Template parameters[Edit template data]

This template prefers block formatting of parameters.

ParameterDescriptionTypeStatus
Descriptiondescription

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

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

When the original source was created.

Example
2001-12-31
Unknownsuggested
Sourcesource

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

Default
{{source missing}}
Unknownrequired
Authorauthor

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

Default
{{author missing}}
Unknownrequired
Permissionpermission

License and other usage limitations and warnings.

Unknownsuggested
Other versionsother versions other_versions

Links to files with very similar content or derived files.

Unknownsuggested
Other fieldsother fields other_fields

Additional table fields added on the bottom of the template.

Unknownoptional
Other fields 1other fields 1 other_fields_1

Additional table fields added between Description and Date rows.

Unknownoptional

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.}}
|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.
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 other fields

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

{{Information
| Description  = Description
| Date         = 2008-06-09
| Source       = {{Own based|Example.svg|by=Username}}
| Author       = {{AutVec||v=John Doe}}
| Image        = {{Igen|D|<|$|s=tl|u=John Doe}}
| Other fields = {{Credit line |Author = © John Doe |Other = Wikimedia Commons |License = CC-BY-3.0 & GFDL}}
}}
or exactly the same, in a less cryptic mode

| Image = {{File generation description | SVG tool = CorelDRAW | Text as path = yes | Commonist = yes| Topic = text logo | User = John Doe }}
will produce:

Description Description
Date
Source Own work based on: Example.svg by Username
Author
Original:
Unknown
Vector:
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