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| Webform label | Comments | Mandatory? | ONIX Codelist | ONIX Manual reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISBN 13 | Enter your ISBN-13 as assigned by Library and Archives Canada. NO HYPHENS supply a 13 digit number Webform's ONIX output will include List 5 values for 03 ISBN-13, 15 GTIN-13 and for 978 ISBNs only - 02 ISBN-10 | All records No hyphens | 5 | PR.2.7 Product identifier code PR.2.9 Identifier Value |
| Autofilled in ONIX output | Based on the ISBN-13 entered, Webform includes as product identifiers:
| All records | 5 | PR.2.7 Product identifier code PR.2.9 Identifier Value |
| RECORD REFERENCE | Enter your ISBN-13 here as well. (The Record Reference must be a unique value and is used to identify individual records. The ISBN-13 is a convenient way to maintain that) | All records | PR.1.1 Record reference number | |
| All records enter a value in TITLE – Enter the 'main' book title (without subtitle) in the "Title" box. If the title begins with a prefix (The, A, An, etc.) enter the Prefix and the balance of the title split between the Title Prefix / WO Prefix. (Retailers will use the WO Prefix value for indexing.) If the title doesn't have prefix, simply leave the two fields blank and use "Title" on its own. | All records | 15 | Code "01" |
| General Information | ||||
| SUBTITLE | The book's subtitle goes here. See Title above. | if it appears on book | PR.7.14 Subtitle | |
| NOTIFICATION TYPE | Default to "03" (This is used to define the "quality" of information. Early pre-publication information may change and by giving "02" you warn of that. Most Webform users have a book-in-hand so "Confirmed information" is appropriate for the lifetime of a book. Using other codes should be updated to 03 on publication. Do not use 04 as it's an ONIX 3.0 value.) | All records | 1 | PR.1.2 Notification or update type code |
| WORK IDENTIFIER | Use this when you've published this "work" (single title) in more than one format (multiple ISBNs). If you sell the same "work" in multiple formats retailers can link records because this field contains an identical code unique to that work. Select "01 Proprietary" and fill in a shared value (you create it) in the box beside it and use the same value for all the affected ISBNs. It should be a unique code – a string of characters without spaces to be used by computers. (Some companies use the ISBN from their first published format – use appropriate code) | Optional but expected | 16 | PR.7.15 Work identifier type code PR.7.17 Identifier value |
PRODUCT FORM | For print books Product Form is a "binding" type and normal values are BC=paperback or BB=hardcover Other "B_" codes can be used for other formats but these 2 are by far the most typical to use. Use with Product Form Detail. For all digital books use "DG" Use with EpublicationType | All records | 7 | PR.3.1 Product form code |
| EPUBLICATION TYPE | Digital books only: 002 is PDF / 029 is EPUB Each file type is normally assigned it's own ISBN (the same as paperback and hardcover) Do NOT use "000" Content Package as it's out-dated concept. Always tell retailers the type of file they are processing. | Required for digital books | 10 | PR.4.2 Epublication type |
| PRODUCT FORM DETAIL | Tip: "print" book codes start with "B", Digital codes start with "E" , Audio starts with "A" and so on. The letters match the first letter of the Product form in most cases. Print: B102 is a trade paperback and North American retailers need to differentiate between mass market paperbacks (sized for racks) and the "trade" edition. Mass market books are a special market type so the expectation is that B102 is used. Hardcovers can clarify their cover – eg jacketed, laminated, cloth using codes from range B400 to B500. Digital: recommended for differentiating between "reflowable" (E200) and "fixed format" (E201) though 029 epub is usually assumed to be reflowable and PDF are assumed to be fixed format. | Required for paperbacks, otherwise optional but expected | 78 | PR.3.2 Product form detail |
| BARCODE | Major retailers want to know where the barcode is on print books and the typical answer is that you have an EAN barcode on the back cover: Use List 6 code "10" (If a price block is provided as part of the barcode then use "11" for a USD price or "68" for a CAD one. What's a price block? A second smaller barcode with price information and it's not required. If it's there and marked with zeros, then you still don't have price block – there has to be price information in the second barcode that matches the price you show in your metadata for that currency.). Webform only supports a single instance so if you have multiple barcodes specify the standard ISBN-13 based EAN barcode typically found on the back cover. Do NOT provide a Barcode code value for digital products. A retailer has no need or means to scan a barcode as part of processing a file download. | Print books only | 6 | PR.2.10 Barcode indicator |
| PRIMARY CONTENT TYPE | The use case this supports is a book format where "what's inside" isn't obvious – digital products or analogue recordings – to define what it is. For your typical epub that would be List 81 code 10 "Text (eye-readable)". Webform offers a single instance for this, so choose the main content type. This wouldn't be typically supplied on a print book. | Optional and typically for digital products | 81 | PR.3.11 Product content type code |
| TITLE OF SERIES | See below for Number Within Series. Leave blank if there's no series and that is typical for small publishers. Series generally make more sense for large publishers with many related titles and provide a means of secondary marketing. Series numbers are sometimes applied to provide order, esp in Europe. Webform's ONIX output supports the NoSeries indicator if Title of Series is left blank. | All records see Comments as leaving blank is meaningful. | PR.5.6 Series title PR.5.9 "No series" indicator | |
| PUBLISHER NAME | See next tab "Imprint" as well. The Publisher Name is the name of the company that signs contracts and whose name appears on the Title page and Copyright page. Imprint Name is based on the branding that appears on the outside of the book. For many companies Publisher and Imprint are identical. Webform's ONIX output carries a List 45 code "01" confirming the name provider is the Publisher. | All records | 45 | PR.19.7 Publishing role code |
| LANGUAGE OF TEXT | Most will use 'eng' This code actually defines the language market a retailer should sell to (it's how Amazon would define their Spanish vs English section), but the language the book is written is usually the same as the book's language market. Webform's ONIX output uses List 22 role code "01" Language of Text and most users will select List 74 language code "eng". See more. | All records | PR.11.3 Language role PR.11.4 Language code | |
| NUMBER WITHIN SERIES | See above for Series Title. Use only if Title of Series is provided and the series carries a number. Use numbers here only. | Optional | PR.5.7 Number within series | |
PUBLICATION DATE | The date this ISBN was first published (not the "work" – see Year First Published below) and the date of record for this ISBN. Dates in ONIX are YYYYMMDD – no hyphens, slashes or marks. | All records | PR.20.5 Publication date | |
| NUMBER OF PAGES | The approximate number of pages – normally the number from the last numbered page, but if there a two or more sequentially numbered sections (eg xviii + 344) add the sequences together. Digital products: While a page count might not exist in a digital product this remains the most meaningful "size" for consumers. Either use the page count from a print edition or provide an estimation based on a standard character or word conversion. | All records | PR.12.1 Approximate number of pages | |
| YEAR FIRST PUBLISHED | If this ISBN is based on a work that's been previously published, you can provide the year that the "work" was first published to aid in identification. . | Optional | PR.20.3 Year first published | |
| PUBLISHING STATUS | Most will show 04 "Active" or 02 "Forthcoming". There are two status values in ONIX and they should be considered together. The Publishing Status provides the book status for the company named as publisher. See Supply Detail tab "Product Availability" for the status for the company supplying the book to retailers. For many Webform users the company may be the same but both status values are important to provide a complete picture to the supply chain. Retailer metadata must be updated when the status changes. | All records | 64 | PR.20.1 Publishing status |
| NUMBER OF PIECES | Most will leave blank. If this ISBN comes in 2 or more physical parts – say a paperback split into Volume 1 and Volume 2 but sold as single ISBN – then this is a count of the number of paperbacks that come as part of this ISBN. This is important information for retailers to know if the product should be sold as two books combined – but it's very exceptional. | Optional | PR.3.9 Number of Pieces | |
| FOR SALE WITH EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS | Most will check off "World" (List 49). If you only have limited rights then check off the list of countries (List 91 individual country codes) you have rights or are marketing the book in. Try to avoid a long list if possible, you can limit the list to countries you are actually marketing the book in – just be sure to include Canada's List 91 value of "CA" (assuming you're selling here). Webform's ONIX output supports a single instance of "exclusive rights". | All records | PR.21.1 Sales rights type code PR.21.2 Rights country PR.21.3 Rights territory | |
| CITY OF PUBLICATION | If your title page shows the publisher name with the city and country (see below) of publication, then listing it is recommended as it will help identification of the book. If you don't list them on the title page then it's simply optional in the metadata – it will still aid in identification of the publisher. | Optional | PR.19.16 City of publication | |
| COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION | See City of Publication above. | Optional | 91 | PR.19.16 Country of publication |
| EDITION NUMBER | Most will leave blank. An edition is noted in metadata when there are changed or updated versions of a book issued with different ISBNs. So "edition" marks that the content of the work has had substantial changes and published in different versions, normally as sequentially numbered editions. This is important for retailers and libraries to track. ONIX supports a NoEdition marker to show that a single "version" of the work has been published and this describes most Webform users. Do not supply "1" unless there are other editions (changed content) as different formats or bindings with the same content are all of the same "edition". See More Webform's ONIX output will show the <NoEdition/> marker if left blank. If a number is supplied then the other edition should also be listed in the Related Product tab. | All records see Comments as leaving blank is meaningful. | PR.10.2 Edition number PR.10.5 "No edition" indicator | |
| COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE | A single ISO 3166-1 country code from List 91 designating the country of final manufacture of the product. (This functionality is provided as a workaround in ONIX 2.1. ONIX 3.0 has specific provision for country of manufacture as a separate element.) Note: this is provided for retailers reference and cross border shipping where it would be relevant. It typically isn't provided for a POD product unless there is only one location, then whatever country that printing happens in. | Mandatory for physical products | 33 | PR.15.3 Other text type code "code 99" |
| SEE Website TAB | NOTE: Website entries appear in different places within an ONIX record – placement of information within an ONIX record is "meaningful". Webform supports distinct Website entries for
| Optional | 73 | PR.19.12 to PR.19.14 PR.16.15 to PR.16.17 |
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| Webform label | Comments | Mandatory? | ONIX Codelist | ONIX Manual reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North American retailers, including Canadian ones, expect a BISAC main subject on all records. Think of it as the best category in a bookstore for this title and a main subjects should be as specific as possible. Codes are hierarchical so FICTION / Romance / Contemporary is self-defined as Fiction and Romance but if the bookstore supports it, the best retailer subject category would be "Contemporary Romance" in Fiction. Webform supports a single BISAC subject entry. See more, including web pages that may be easier to navigate than Webform's drop down at bisg.org We strongly recommend that you read and understand the guidelines they provide. | All records | Outside Code List | PR.13.1 BISAC main subject category |
| Most leave blank.A subject region code references the book's subject or it's setting – the region it is about. Think of it as highlighting a title to a bookseller or librarian in that region as a title with content of special interest to the region code provided. (Where an author lives isn't a book's regional subject code, but highlight where the author lives in biographical notes.) Be as specific as possible. A book about Cape Breton will benefit from a Region Code but there's little value in specifying North America unless the book is truly has continental wide content about North America. Webform supports a single BISAC region entry. See more as part of the BISAC Subject section, including web pages that may be easier to navigate than Webform's drop down at bisg.org. We strongly recommend that you read and understand the guidelines they provide. | Optional but recommended if appropriate. | Outside | Code "11" PR.13.9 Subject scheme identifier PR.13.10 Subject code PR.13.13 Subject heading text |
| Most leave blank.Used by UK realtors. See more here Guidelines for BISAC about using the most specific subject possible apply for BIC as well. Note that the drop down + buttons can be opened for more specific subjects. You may find getting a full BIC Subject list helpful for understanding your options. NOTE: BIC Subjects are being replaced by Thema Subjects | Optional but recommended if selling in the UK | Outside | Code "12" |
| BIC VERSION | Most leave blank. Supply if you know the version of BIC you are using. | Optional | Optional | PR.13.6 Subject scheme version |
THEMA SUBJECT | A new international subject system, similar to BIC. See more here Guidelines for BISAC about using the most specific subject possible apply to Thema as well. Note that the drop down + buttons can be opened for more specific subjects. You may find a full Thema Subject list helpful. | Recommended all records | Outside | Code "93" PR.13.5 Main subject scheme identifier PR.13.7 Subject code PR.13.8 Subject heading text |
| THÈMES ÉLECTRE | Most leave blank. This is a subject code system used to support French language retailer, only recommended if selling to appropriate retailers for support of a French langauge book. | Optional | Outside | Code "28" PR.13.5 Main subject scheme identifier PR.13.7 Subject code |
| KEYWORDS | Use a semicolon ";" as the delimiter between keywords and key phrases. Recommended as used by retailers. We strongly recommend reading BISG's Best Practices for Keywords in Metadata as it provides clear guidelines for what retailers need to support subject based searches. A SEO approach using keywords that don't describe the book's subject is NOT recommended and will likely cause your keywords to be ignored. | Recommended all records | 27 | PR.13.9 Subject scheme identifier PR.13.13 Subject heading text |
| AUDIENCE CODE | All records must have a primary audience code. Trade books (general audience) are covered by values 01 to 03. If a book shouldn't be JUV or YA then it's "General Trade". Audience and Audience Range are seldom displayed to consumers but they are used by retailers and librarians to isolate book lists as part of a broad category. | All records | 28 | PR.14.1 Audience code |
| Use if Audience is JUV or YA. Most provide Code "17" Interest Age. As noted in Audience, this value is used primarily by retailers and librarians and a narrow 3 year range is expected in most cases. Do not provide ranges like 0 to 99 as they can actually prevent accurate selection of your book. If necessary an open ended FROM statement can be used even if it's not a best practice recommendation. NOTE: The following options are specific to data entry on Webform and will create a correctly formatted Audience Range ONIX output. (Our programming will create a correct "exact" value in ONIX if you use it as below but this is not a description of how the standard works.)
| All Juvenile or Young Adult titles should carry and Audience Range | PR.14.7 Audience range qualifier PR.14.8(1) PR.14.10(2) Audience range precision PR.14.9(1) PR.41.11(2) Audience range value |
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