Frequently Asked Questions

Data Entry

Q: How do I get access to enter data? A: Contact the MARCO-BOLO WP1 team for access to the shared Google Spreadsheet.

Q: Can I work on this offline? A: No, the Google Sheets system requires internet access for real-time validation and collaboration.

Q: What if I make a mistake? A: Google Sheets maintains version history. Small errors can be corrected directly. For major issues, contact the WP1 team.

Q: How do I update an existing record? A: Simply edit the relevant cells in the spreadsheet. Changes sync automatically.

Technical Questions

Q: What happens to my data after I enter it? A: Data is automatically synchronized nightly, validated against schemas, and converted to JSON-LD format for publication in research catalogs.

Q: Can I download my data in other formats? A: The system produces JSON-LD output. For other formats, use Google Sheets' built-in export options or contact the WP1 team.

Q: How do I cite this tool or the resulting metadata? A: Citation guidelines are being developed. Contact the WP1 team for current recommendations.

Validation and Errors

Q: Why are some fields highlighted in red? A: Red highlighting indicates validation errors - usually duplicate IDs or missing required fields.

Q: What does "pipe-delimited" mean? A: Use the | character to separate multiple values: Marine Biology|Climate Change|Biodiversity

Q: I can't find the ID I'm looking for in a dropdown menu. A: The referenced record may not exist yet. Create it first in the appropriate sheet, then return to reference it.

System Questions

Q: Who maintains this system? A: The MARCO-BOLO Work Package 1 team maintains the system architecture and provides user support.

Q: Is my data private? A: Data entered into the system is intended for publication and discovery through research catalogs. Contact the WP1 team if you have privacy concerns.

Q: Can I use this system for non-MARCO-BOLO projects? A: The system is designed for MARCO-BOLO but uses open standards. Contact the WP1 team to discuss other applications.

Q: What browsers work best? A: Google Sheets works best in Chrome, but other modern browsers should work. Ensure JavaScript is enabled.

Getting Additional Help

For data entry questions: Check field tooltips first, then contact the WP1 team For technical issues: Contact the system administrators For project questions: Reach out to MARCO-BOLO Work Package 1 leadership

Quick Reference

Find and replace across files: Use a local copy with VS Code (Ctrl-Shift-F, target .csv files) ID format: mbo_[type]_[number] (e.g., mbo_dataset_001) Multivalued separator: Pipe character (|) Date format: YYYY-MM-DD URL format*: Include protocol (https:// or http://)