2025 Barcamp Session Proposal: How OpenRefine is used for contributing to Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons

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Description

OpenRefine is a powerful tool for contributing to Wikimedia projects, Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons. In this session, we will explore how OpenRefine can be used to reconcile datasets with Wikibase and perform edits to Wikibase. Participants will also see practical workflows, such as adding structured data to images, uploading media files to Wikimedia Commons. Additionally, I will share information about certificate courses that can help participants continue their learning journey in OpenRefine and contribute to Wikimedia projects.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the basics of OpenRefine and its relevance in Wikimedia projects.
  • Discover how to edit and enrich Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons using OpenRefine.
  • Explore example use cases and workflows that participants can adapt to their own projects.

Format

Presentation + Demonstration and Discussion
Duration: 45 minutes

Feedback on the session format is always welcome :slight_smile:

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OpenRefine 2025 BarCamp
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Etherpad for the session: Etherpad

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clean up notes from the pad

Presentation: 2025 Barcamp: How OpenRefine is used for contributing to Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons

Participants discussed how OpenRefine is used when contributing to Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, with examples of workflows used by the Wikimedia community.

Wikimedia Commons uploads

One example discussed was the use of simple Wikitext templates when uploading files to Wikimedia Commons.

Example structure:

=={{int:filedesc}}==
{{Information}}

=={{int:license-header}}==
{{self|CC-BY-SA-4.0}}

[[Category:Your category 1]]

The Wikitext mainly provides the file description and licensing information, while additional information can be retrieved from Structured Data on Commons.

Community coordination

Participants also mentioned the OpenRefine–Wikimedia Telegram group, where contributors discuss workflows and ask questions: