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

**URL:** <https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-how-openrefine-is-used-for-contributing-to-wikidata-and-wikimedia-commons/2535>\
**Category:** Events\
**Tags:** barcamp-2025\
**Created:** [September 8, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-how-openrefine-is-used-for-contributing-to-wikidata-and-wikimedia-commons/2535 "2025-09-08T06:45:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gnoeee](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openrefine.org/gnoeee/32/429_2.png) [@Gnoeee](https://forum.openrefine.org/u/Gnoeee)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-how-openrefine-is-used-for-contributing-to-wikidata-and-wikimedia-commons/2535/1 "2025-09-08T06:45:06Z")

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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](https://openrefine.org/docs/manual/wikibase/reconciling) with Wikibase and perform [edits to Wikibase](https://openrefine.org/docs/manual/wikibase/uploading). 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 🙂_

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**Author:** ![Martin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openrefine.org/martin/32/7_2.png) [@Martin](https://forum.openrefine.org/u/Martin)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-how-openrefine-is-used-for-contributing-to-wikidata-and-wikimedia-commons/2535/2 "2025-09-11T14:06:46Z")

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Etherpad for the session: [Etherpad](https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/openrefine-barcamp-wikidata-contribution)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Martin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openrefine.org/martin/32/7_2.png) [@Martin](https://forum.openrefine.org/u/Martin)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-how-openrefine-is-used-for-contributing-to-wikidata-and-wikimedia-commons/2535/3 "2026-03-12T18:12:38Z")

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_clean up notes from the [pad](https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/openrefine-barcamp-wikidata-contribution#L5)_

**Presentation:** [2025 Barcamp: How OpenRefine is used for contributing to Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X_m4gU66TZ6lxWcRx4Uan3W2hNHCTTlGWnkTxm5N9Gw/edit?usp=sharing)

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:

```auto
=={{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](https://t.me/+izmjhIR1Z5A3OTA0)**, where contributors discuss workflows and ask questions: