Digital data depends on software to be interpreted and made understandable. As a consequence, the format in which the data is preserved can impact the long-term usability, accessibility and sustainability of the data.
Recommended file formats for data preservation are:
- Non-proprietary (format can be read in freely available software)
- Uncompressed (or lossless compression)
- Widely used by the research community or discipline
- Supported by diverse software platforms and applications
TIP: While you will use the most suitable data formats and software according to your research plan, data conversion should be considered for preserving your data for the long-term. Using open, standard, interchangeable and longer-lasting formats, avoids being unable to use the data in the future. This practice is also recommended for backing-up your data.
To see the recommended file formats for your data you can check these guidance tables from DANS (knaw.nl) and from the UK Data Service (ukdataservice.ac.uk)
– Check your chosen data archive/repository. They often use a list of preferred formats in which the data should be delivered. – If you need to convert your data files to a recommended format: be aware that format conversion can produce data loss. Always check before conversion! Good to know: