Skip to main content
OCLC Support

About bibliographic constant data records

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
Find an overview of bibliographic constant data records in Connexion client.

Overview

Using the Connexion client, you can create bibliographic constant data online or create constant data in one or more local files located on your workstation or shared network drive. The client provides a blank default local constant data file (DefaultBibCD.bibcd.db). See Manage local files for more about local files, their locations, and how to share them.

Why create constant data?

Using constant data is a way to apply frequently used information to records. You add the same data to bibliographic records to:

  • Avoid rekeying frequently used data
  • Reduce errors and improve consistency among related records
  • Develop and maintain local standards for bibliographic records, for specific collections, or for different types of resources

What is bibliographic constant data?

A constant data record is a partial bibliographic record you create that contains standardized content for reuse when you create or edit a record.

Online constant data

  • Users at the same institution (same OCLC symbol) share an online constant data file to store all constant data records you create online.
  • There is only one online constant data file. It is accessed by both Connexion interfaces, the browser and the client.
  • Anyone at your institution can add constant data records to this database, edit them, use a stored record as default constant data, or delete records.
  • Your library's constant data records are not shared with Connexion users at any other institution.
  • When you set a constant data record as the default, it is associated with your logon authorization. Staff sharing the authorization also share the default constant data.

Local constant data

  • The local bibliographic constant data file is located on your workstation or can be located on a network drive for shared access.
  • Use the local files to create, store, and apply bibliographic constant data offline or to apply to online records when logged on.
  • The Connexion client automatically creates a default local bibliographic constant data file when you install the software. The path and file name is: X:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Application Data\OCLC\ Connex\Db\DefaultBibCD.bibcd.db (where X is the letter of your hard drive)
  • Create multiple local bibliographic constant data files on your workstation or on a shared drive for special tasks or for use by individual staff members. Designate or change the default. And move or copy records from one local file to another.
  • You cannot delete your designated default local constant data record.
  • When you set a local constant data record as the default, it is stored in the local file. By assigning different authorizations to local files, staff can maintain different default constant data.

See Manage local files for more about working with local constant data files.

 Note: The maximum number of records in an online or local save file: 9,999. The system prevents you from adding records that would exceed the limit.

About creating constant data

  • Create a constant data record from a workform based on a specific MARC format (Books, Scores, etc.), or derive a constant data record from an existing bibliographic record or constant data record.
  • When you create a constant data record, you must enter a name.
  • Optionally, you can also enter a custom My Status.
  • The name and My Status help you retrieve records.

About applying constant data to bibliographic records

  • Designate a record as the default when you create it or later. Then, when you want to insert the constant data into a record:
    • When logged on, on the Edit menu, click Constant Data > Online > Apply Default or press <Ctrl><A>.
      Or
    • When logged on or offline, click Constant Data > Local > Apply Default or press <Ctrl><V>.

       Note: Your default online constant data is tied to your logon authorization (anyone logging on using the authorization has the same default). Your default local constant data is tied to the local file. To maintain different default constant data, staff members can use separate local constant data files.

  • Alternatively, apply constant data by name or from a list. Use the same menus and submenus as listed in the previous bullet, but click one of the following (for Online commands, you must be logged on):
    • Edit > Constant Data > Online > Apply by Name or press <Ctrl><U>
    • Edit > Constant Data > Local > Apply by Name or press <Ctrl><B>
    • Edit > Constant Data > Online > Apply from List or press <Alt><E><O><L>
    • Edit > Constant Data > Local > Apply from List or press <Alt><E><L><L>

See International cataloging for more about searching for, creating, and editing non-Latin script constant data records.

Caution for online constant data only

When you create a constant data record, you are required to give it a unique name. When you name online constant data records or assign an optional My Status, avoid using punctuation, special characters, and diacritics. These characters can cause errors when you retrieve, save, apply, delete, or take other actions on the records.

Do not use the following characters in online constant data names or optional My Statuses:

  • Period ( . )
  • Comma ( , )
  • Semi-colon ( ; )
  • Colon ( : )
  • Underscore ( _ )
  • Asterisk ( * )
  • Plus sign ( + )
  • Ampersand ( & )
  • Pound sign ( # )
  • Double quotation marks ( " " )
  • Apostrophe ( ' )
  • Percent mark ( % )
  • Question mark ( ? )

To be sure that online constant data records are problem-free, use only standard letters (upper- and lowercase) and numbers in names and My Statuses.

This restriction for constant data names and My Statuses does not apply to local constant data records.