Template:Information

Note: This template is used on a great lot of pages. In order not to put too much load on the servers, edits should be kept to a bare minimum. Please discuss proposed changes on the talk page first.

Afterwards, changes can initially be done at and tested with Template:Information/sandbox.

• Editing a template causes all pages that use the template to be re-rendered. If the template is used often, this can put a lot of load on the servers since it fills up the job queue.
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• This page has been protected from editing to prevent vandalism. Only administrators can edit it. Get their attention by placing {{Edit protected}} at the talk page.
  

DescriptionInformation
Source
Author
Other versions

This template has been protected from editing to prevent vandalism. Please discuss changes on the talk page or request unprotection.

Template documentation[ view · edit · history · purge ]

This documentation is transcluded from Template:Information/doc.

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 omitted.

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

Parameter	Description		Default	Status
description Description	Description	Description of the image or other media file The content of the description should provide brief (if possible) but complete information about the file's contents. It should identify: subjects like notable people (use the {{Depicted person}} template), animals, objects, cars, weapons, etc. Image annotations may help with images such as group pictures where different details might warrant separate descriptions, but those annotations might not be visible on Wikipedias which did not adopt the gadget to display them. if applicable and relevant, the location (city, country, building name or address, etc.) by text. 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 contributors 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, the description should provide enough information to support the file's categorization (excluding technical categories like those about file type or size). The description format should use language templates like {{En}} or {{De}} to specify the language of each description. It may use internal or interwiki links to Wikipedia articles, Commons galleries or Commons categories (which helps disambiguating and keeping concise). When the name of the file is descriptive enough to be used directly as its description, 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 creation	Date 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 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. 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	Source	Information about where the file is from; 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}} may alternatively be used to indicate the (data) sources used to generate a diagram, indicating where the data files were found on the web (i.e. their URLs or web addresses). {{Self-photographed}} 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 a Volunteer Response Team ticket and the {{subst:PP}} message box should be added to the file after an email with a permission statement has been sent to VRTS) When it is derived from other files, {{Derived from}} with 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 See also: Commons:Essential information. Deleted files Numerous files are based on other files also hosted on Wikimedia Commons. Occasionally, a derived file ends up pointing to a removed file as its source. While deletion of such a source file may be justified if any usage was replaced with the derived file, such a deletion occasionally causes the loss of essential information about the source file's source/copyrights. If you notice a file with a Source field which merely links to a Commons file which was deleted, you may: determine from the deletion log shown at the file's URL who deleted it. For example, File:Nutella logo - 1964-1970.svg shows that the file was removed by Missvain. ask the administrator involved to provide that information, on the derived file's Talk page. Once the hidden information is provided, it can be restored on the derived file's page. 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	Author	Original author of the file; where appropriate, use {{Creator|Personal name}}. 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 uploader of a file who merely scanned a preexisting image or found the file, since neither uploading nor scanning make that person the author. Possible content: {{Original uploader}} To indicate the original author who originally uploaded the work to a different Wikimedia site. 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	Permission	License 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.	empty	optional
other versions Other versions other_versions Other_versions	Other versions	Links 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.	empty	optional
other fields Other fields other_fields Other_fields	Other fields	Additional 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.	empty	optional
other fields 1 Other fields 1 other_fields_1 Other_fields_1	Other fields 1	Additional 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.	empty	optional

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:

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.

Parameter		Description	Type	Status
Description	description Description	Description of the image or media file, including subject and location Default {{description missing}} Example Photo of a penguin in Antarctica	String	required
Date of creation	date Date	When the original source was created Example 2001-12-31	Date	suggested
Source	source Source	Where the file is from. Your own files should be tagged with {{own}}. Default {{source missing}}	String	required
Author	author Author	Original author of the file; where appropriate, use {{Creator|Personal name}}. Default {{author missing}}	Line	required
Permission	permission Permission	License and other usage limitations and warnings	Content	suggested
Other versions	other versions other_versions Other versions Other_versions	Links to files with very similar content or derived files	File	optional
Other fields	other fields other_fields Other_fields Other fields	Additional table fields added on the bottom of the template	File	optional
Other fields 1	other fields 1 other_fields_1 Other_fields_1 Other fields 1	Additional table fields added between Description and Date rows	File	optional
lang	lang Lang	no description	Unknown	deprecated
demo	demo Demo	no description	Unknown	deprecated

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:

DescriptionInformation	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	12 July 2006
Source	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 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:

• File:OpenRefine Commons editing - wikitext data extension.png where {{Information}}

will produce:

DescriptionInformation	English: OpenRefine Commons editing - wikitext data extension
Date	7 January 2024
Source	Own work
Author	Sandra Fauconnier

• File:Indoor Climbing Kid.jpg where {{Information}}

will produce:

DescriptionInformation	English: A five year old hanging around bouldering wall in Sportrock climbing gym in Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Date	9 June 2008
Source	Own work
Author	Jarek Tuszyński

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:

DescriptionInformation	Description
Date	9 June 2008
Source	Own work
Author	John Doe
Attribution (required by the license) InfoField	© John Doe / Wikimedia Commons /
InfoField	© 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

• Commons:Infobox templates; for a more complete overview of provided templates see the Category:Infobox templates
• {{Artwork}} for specialized infobox template used for artworks
• {{Book}} for specialized infobox template used for book page scans
• {{Information field}} and {{Credit line}}
• {{Translation table}} and {{Mld}} for category descriptions
• {{Photograph}} for photographs held by museums, archives, and other GLAM institutions
• {{Art photo}} for photographs of artworks with more fields for photographer metadata
• {{Map}} for maps
• {{Musical work}} for music files
• Category:Media missing infobox template
• How to search fields of files' Information template?