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File name requirements

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Find the file name requirements for uploading WorldShare Collection Evaluation circulation files, WorldCat knowledge base collections, and WorldCat data sync collections to exchange with OCLC.

WorldShare Collection Evaluation circulation files

The file name should include:

  • No spaces in the file name
  • The institution symbol of the library submitted the file (e.g., OCC)
  • A date stamp indicating when the file was submitted in "YYYY_MM_DD" format (e.g., 2016_07_12)
  • Do not use special characters in file names, such as ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) + = - / ' " [ ] { } | \

Methods of creating unique file names

  • You can combine these methods or use another
  • Add the date to the filename
  • Add a serial number to the end of the file: myfile1, myfile2

Multiple files

  • If you send more than one file per day, each file must have a unique name.
  • If you send multiple files with the same name in the same day, only the last one sent will be retained and processed.

WorldShare Collection Manager

WorldCat knowledge base collections

Please see Map titles from a holdings file.

WorldCat data sync collections

Each file name must be unique and must include:

  • 7-digit data sync collection ID - Include as the first element of the file name, immediately followed by a period. This ensures that the file will be processed under the correct data sync collection.
  • OCLC institution symbol - Include as the second element of the file name, separated from the collection ID by a period.

General rules

Include

  • A period should be used to separate distinct elements within a file name.
  • A valid 7-digit data sync collection ID must be included at the beginning of the file name and must be immediately followed by a period.
  • The OCLC institution symbol for which the file should be processed must be included as the second element of the file name and must be preceded and followed by a period.
  • Alphanumeric characters are allowed. Letters can be both upper and lower case.
    • MARC data files (Bib or LHR) should have the filename extension that corresponds with the datatype, for example .mrc or .xml
    • Non-MARC data files should have the filename extension .csv.
  • Control characters @, $, and # will be converted as follows:
    • @ will be replaced with _64
    • $ will be replaced with _36
    • # will be replaced with _35

Do not include

  • Periods, dashes, and/or underscores at the beginning of the file name
  • Spaces and other non-alphanumeric characters

Watch a video

WorldCat data sync collections: Name files to upload (4:17)

This video reviews how to name files to upload for data sync processing.