About the Data in Publications Guide

Nowadays, data has become a central component of any kind of government publication, be it a report, a study, or a policy summary. Nonetheless, data is often not presented and published in a way that allows others to easily access, reuse and reference it.
Formatted as an extendable checklist, this guide compiles tips, examples, and resources from across the EU. These recommendations will help you produce and publish accessible and reusable data, data visualisations, and publications that contain data.
Who is the guide for?
This guide is relevant to anyone involved in the process of producing and publishing data and information for EU Institutions, agencies and other bodies. This includes researchers, policy makers, communications specialists, data experts, IT-specialists, publication coordinators, designers, and contractors.
What kind of publications does this guide target?
The publication can be any type of published content that contains or references data. This includes reports, studies and books, assessments, briefs and summaries, press releases, leaflets, and brochures – both in print and online. The data might be a primary source – data produced and analysed specifically for this publication –, or a secondary source – third-party data that is used as supportive material.
How should the guide be used?
The guide should be used at the very beginning of your publishing process – after you have received the O.K. for a publication, but before you have commissioned any work on it.
Ideally, all stakeholders are involved from the very beginning in the process. That way, each person has the chance to make use of the recommendations that are relevant to their field of responsibility, be it analysing data, writing text, creating visualisations, or publishing the data.
Give us feedback!
The Data in Publications Guide was created by the Publications Office of the European Union. What you see here is a beta version of the guide. As we are continuing to develop it, we would love to hear your feedback. Please send us an email at OP-DATA-EUROPA-EU@publications.europa.eu with ‘Data in Publications Guide feedback’ in the subject line.

A Prototype by the
Publications Office of the
European Union

Content
Publications Office of the European Union

Development and maintenance
Adina Renner

Queries and Feedback:
OP-DATA-EUROPA-EU@publications.europa.eu

Download guide as checklist

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