{"id":3444,"date":"2026-04-07T10:24:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socat.info\/?page_id=3444"},"modified":"2026-08-25T15:44:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T13:44:30","slug":"how-to-submit-data","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/how-to-submit-data\/","title":{"rendered":"How to submit datasets ?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h5><strong>Upcoming deadlines<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Submission deadline for v2027: <strong>15 January 2027<\/strong><br \/>\nQuality control deadline for v2027:\u00a0<strong>19 March 2027<\/strong><br \/>\nScheduled SOCATv2027 release:\u00a0<strong>June 2027<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Get a quick overview of the procedure by watching the video below.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 840px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-3444-1\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/SOCAT4_dashboard_general_tutorial.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/SOCAT4_dashboard_general_tutorial.mp4\">\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/SOCAT4_dashboard_general_tutorial.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>Notes :<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Data submissions are accepted throughout the year<\/strong>. Submitting data continuously helps reduce pressure on the submission and processing interface. However, only datasets <strong>submitted before the January deadline<\/strong> will be quality-controlled (QCed) and released in the same calendar year. Datasets submitted after the deadline will be processed and released in the year after.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Any new datasets you submit remain yours<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The SOCAT metadata requirements are detailed in the SOCAT cookbook (link below). Please, use this guidance for providing metadata information. SOCAT accepts metadata in any format (OME, pdf, etc). SOCAT encourages data providers to use the <a href=\"https:\/\/data.pmel.noaa.gov\/sdig\/socat\/MetadataEditor.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online metadata editor<\/a> provided by PMEL to generate the latest metadata format.<\/li>\n<li>If this is your first time uploading data, we strongly encourage you to read this document, as it offers more comprehensive information than the brief steps outlined on this page.<\/li>\n<li>Find more details on the submission process here (PDF) &gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-to-submit-datasets.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to submit datasets<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--\n \t\n\n<li>A PDF version is available in the library.<\/li>\n\n\n--><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Useful links :<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/socat-remote.pmel.noaa.gov\/\">Upload Dashboard<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024_SOCAT_QC_Cookbook_Update.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SOCAT cookbook (2024)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/data.pmel.noaa.gov\/sdig\/socat\/MetadataEditor.html\">Online Metadata Editor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a8dd419bc3b5\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Step 1: Pre-submission checks&lt;\/strong&gt;\"    ><strong>Step 1: Pre-submission checks<\/strong><\/span><div id=\"target-id6a8dd419bc3b5\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<p>The data file you upload to the Dashboard from the \u201cUpload Data\u201d page, must be either a file of tab-separated values (\u201cTSV\u201d format) or comma-separated values (\u201cCSV\u201d format). This data file has the general format:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a line of metadata for each metadata item,<\/li>\n<li>a line of data column headers,<\/li>\n<li>a line of data column units (optional),<\/li>\n<li>a line of data values for each data sample<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The expocode, vessel (ship) name, and investigator name(s) for the dataset must be given in either the metadata lines at the beginning or in columns with appropriate names.<\/p>\n<p>The following is the start of an acceptable CSV file with units as part of the column name header line. The data header and data values lines were truncated to make it easier to see the format.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3508 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture1-300x74.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"810\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture1-300x74.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture1-1024x251.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 810px) 85vw, 810px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The following is the start of another acceptable CSV file which has units as a second header line and uses a slightly different format for the lines of metadata.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-3516\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture2-1024x273.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"840\" height=\"224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture2-1024x273.png 1024w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture2-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture2-768x205.png 768w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture2-1200x320.png 1200w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture2.png 1519w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tags for metadata items are case insensitive. The tag is followed by either a colon or equals sign, which can have spaces around them. For datasets with multiple investigators, put all names on one metadata line and separate the names with semicolons. If metadata is contained in data columns, the header for the data column should be one of these tags (see table below).<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Object<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"227\"><strong>Accepted terms<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Expocode<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"227\">Expocode<br \/>\nCruise expocode<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Ship<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"227\">Ship<br \/>\nShip name<br \/>\nVessel<br \/>\nVessel name<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Investigator name<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"227\">Investigator<br \/>\nInvestigators<br \/>\nInvestigator name<br \/>\nInvestigator names<br \/>\nPI<br \/>\nPIs<br \/>\nPI name<br \/>\nPI names<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The first line of comma-separated (for CSV format) or tab-separated (for TSV format) values without any blank or numeric entries will be considered the line of data column headers . If the line following the header line has no numeric entries, it will be treated as a line of data column units; otherwise it will be the first data sample line. Any lines with no values (all blank values) will be ignored.<br \/>\nWhen you upload your data file, the Dashboard will examine it and attempt to identify the column header names and units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- Break --><\/p>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a8dd419bc451\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Step 2: Uploading a dataset&lt;\/strong&gt;\"    ><strong>Step 2: Uploading a dataset<\/strong><\/span><div id=\"target-id6a8dd419bc451\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<p>First of all, you need an account to log in to the SOCAT Upload Dashboard. If you don\u2019t have one, please request an account to <a href=\"mailto:oar.pmel.socat.support@noaa.gov\">oar.pmel.socat.support@noaa.gov<\/a>, and wait for confirmation.<\/p>\n<p>With your account, please log in to access the SOCAT Data Access System (LAS) : <a href=\"http:\/\/socat-remote.pmel.noaa.gov\/\">http:\/\/socat-remote.pmel.noaa.gov\/<\/a>. On the left, click on \u201c<strong>Upload Dashboard<\/strong> (v&#8230;.)\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3462\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"752\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture3.png 752w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture3-300x167.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 752px) 85vw, 752px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the menu on the left, please select \u201c<strong>Upload Dataset<\/strong>\u201d. On the new page, click \u201c<strong>Browse<\/strong>\u201d and navigate to the folder containing your dataset(s) (accepted formats : csv or tsv). After selected the relevant document(s), click \u201c<strong>open<\/strong>\u201d in the lower-right corner of the window.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3463\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2272\" height=\"783\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4.png 2272w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4-300x103.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4-1024x353.png 1024w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4-768x265.png 768w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4-1536x529.png 1536w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4-2048x706.png 2048w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture4-1200x414.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The main page of the Dashboard lists all cruises that belong to you. If you have not uploaded any datasets, your list may be empty, or it may contain SOCAT v3 (and earlier) datasets that were marked as belonging to you.<\/p>\n<p><em>Tip : You can select\/upload one or several cruises at the same time. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Back on the dashboard, you can now preview the data. Click \u201c<strong>Advanced options<\/strong>\u201d, scroll down and select \u201c<strong>Preview Data File<\/strong>\u201d. The first lines of your dataset should be displayed. If the preview is correct, please proceed with the next steps. If it is incorrect, please review your dataset locally on your computer, apply the necessary corrections, and upload the updated file to the Dashboard. Repeat this process until the preview displays correctly.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3464\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1366\" height=\"782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture5.png 1366w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture5-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture5-1024x586.png 1024w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture5-768x440.png 768w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture5-1200x687.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If the preview appears correct, scroll back up and select the appropriate options describing the dataset format (csv or tsv) and indicate whether this dataset already exists in the database or represent a new submission. Click \u201cupload\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3465\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"409\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture6.png 409w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture6-300x167.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 409px) 85vw, 409px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You will be redirected to a page called \u201cIdentify Data Columns\u201d. The objective is to provide known names for the columns, so that the SOCAT system can harmonize them across all datasets. The data columns in the dataset(s) you upload will be identified from the data column headers, and the data will be checked for obvious errors.<\/p>\n<p>By clicking \u201c<strong>Check Data<\/strong>\u201d in the lower left corner of the screen (1), the system will check the name of each column and automatically identify those that are unknown to it.<\/p>\n<p>The system detects unknown column names and asks you to define them. Click \u201c<strong>Dismiss<\/strong>\u201d (2) and proceed as follows: for each unknown column, click on the arrow on the right (3) and select the appropriate pre-registered name (4). Repeat this step until all columns have known names (3 and 4). Click \u201cCheck Data\u201d again (5). If all columns are now known, the system will display the message \u201cData check did not find problems in the data\u201d. Click on \u201cDone\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3466\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1921\" height=\"2068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7.png 1921w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7-279x300.png 279w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7-951x1024.png 951w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7-768x827.png 768w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7-1427x1536.png 1427w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7-1902x2048.png 1902w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture7-1200x1292.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- Break --><\/p>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a8dd419bc496\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Step 3: Preview dataplots&lt;\/strong&gt;\"    ><strong>Step 3: Preview dataplots<\/strong><\/span><div id=\"target-id6a8dd419bc496\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<p>A set of plots of the data (the \u201cPreview Plots\u201d) is available to help detect inconsistencies or other errors in your data. After uploading the data for a dataset, you should examine plots of your data on the \u201cPreview Data\u201d page. Back on the main page of the Dashboard, please select one dataset and preview it by navigating through different pre-defined plots. In the left menu, select \u201c<strong>Preview Dataset<\/strong>\u201d. After a short loading period, all available pre-defined plots will appear. We invite you to navigate through them and evaluate whether aberrant values or behaviors are present in the dataset.<\/p>\n<p>If you discover errors that need to be corrected, you should correct your data file and re-upload the updated dataset. Sometimes the error may just be a misidentification of a data column, its units, or its missing value. In this case, you can correct the identity of the data columns in the Dashboard without having to upload the data.<\/p>\n<p>If you are satisfied with the data, please click \u201c<strong>Done<\/strong>\u201d at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3469\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2143\" height=\"779\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8.png 2143w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8-300x109.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8-1024x372.png 1024w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8-768x279.png 768w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8-1536x558.png 1536w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8-2048x744.png 2048w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture8-1200x436.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- Break --><\/p>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a8dd419bc4d1\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Step 4: Add metadata&lt;\/strong&gt;\"    ><strong>Step 4: Add metadata<\/strong><\/span><div id=\"target-id6a8dd419bc4d1\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<p>The video below shows the tool in action and guides you through its usage.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 840px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-3444-2\" width=\"840\" height=\"606\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SOCAT_metadata_editor.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SOCAT_metadata_editor.mp4\">https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SOCAT_metadata_editor.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>To submit a dataset to SOCAT, you also need to upload one or more metadata files describing the data and how they were obtained. Before you submit a dataset for SOCAT, you must provide metadata for the data you have uploaded. This metadata should identify each of the data columns in your data file (including data columns that are marked as \u201cOther\u201d data types) and describe details of how the data was collected.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Option 1 &#8211; Metadata Editor<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This first option is to provide metadata using the <a href=\"https:\/\/data.pmel.noaa.gov\/sdig\/socat\/MetadataEditor.html\">Online Metadata Editor (\u201cOME\u201d)<\/a> for SOCAT. On the main page of the Dashboard, please select \u201cMetadata Editor\u201d on the left.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3470 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture9-239x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture9-239x300.png 239w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture9.png 414w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 239px) 85vw, 239px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you use the editor for the first time, or if you use new equipment requiring different metadata, click on each category on the left and complete the form in full. If you fill in all spaces indicated in red (mandatory to submit for SOCAT), it will be sufficient metadata for the community. The first step is to enter an expocode in the matching field.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3471 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture10.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"254\" height=\"113\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you have already created a metadata file before (formats: XML, CSV, Excel), and you need a document quite similar (only a few changes), we invite you to click \u201cChoose file\u201d \/ browse on your computer, select the file \/ click \u201copen\u201d \/ \u201cupload\u201d (on the left). You will see that some information has automatically been filled in the editor.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3472\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture11.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"280\" height=\"227\" \/><br \/>\nOnce you believe that all information has been filled in, press \u201cValidate\u201d. If there are missing values, they will be highlighted in red on the menu.<br \/>\nOnce all information is there, press \u201cvalidate\u201d, and the system will indicate that your document is available for download. Press \u201cDownload\u201d, then save it as XML file (\u201cSave\u201d). Save it on your computer.<\/p>\n<p>This file is then uploaded to the Dashboard using the \u201cOME Metadata\u201d page (see below). When OME metadata are provided, the date and time of the upload are displayed in the \u201cOME Metadata\u201d column in the Dashboard dataset listing. An easy-to-read document will be generated from the OME XML file you uploaded, and this document will be available for the scientists performing quality control for SOCAT. The OME XML file will also greatly simplify archiving your dataset at CDIAC if you choose to do so.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3474\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture13.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"936\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture13.png 936w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture13-300x60.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture13-768x154.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Option 2 &#8211; Own metadata file<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For the dataset you are working on, select \u201cNo document\u201d in the \u201cSupplemental Documents\u201d column.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3475\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture14.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"936\" height=\"134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture14.png 936w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture14-300x43.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture14-768x110.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Click on \u201cBrowse\u201d and select your document (format: PDF or XML ?). Click on \u201cOpen\u201d in the lower right corner of the loading window. Click on \u201cUpload\u201d and then \u201cDone\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The files you upload will be uploaded and associated with the dataset(s) you selected; the contents are not examined or modified in any way. Because of this, the uploaded files should be in standard formats that will be easy to read by scientists performing quality control for your cruise. If you wish to have your dataset archived at CDIAC, it is strongly recommended you use the OME option for metadata. The names of uploaded files, as well as the date and time of their upload, will appear in the \u201cSupplemental Documents\u201d column of your list of datasets in the Dashboard.<\/p>\n<p>The Supplemental Documents page can also be used to update (by just uploading or deleting any supplemental documentation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- Break --><\/p>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a8dd419bc57c\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Step 5: Submission and choice of the repository&lt;\/strong&gt;\"    ><strong>Step 5: Submission and choice of the repository<\/strong><\/span><div id=\"target-id6a8dd419bc57c\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<p>Once Metadata has been uploaded, it\u2019s time to submit the dataset and metadata to SOCAT for the QCing step.<br \/>\nIn the left menu of the Dashboard, select \u201cSubmit for QC\u201d. You will be asked to choose between repository options. Select the one that is the most appropriate for your situation.<br \/>\nPlease check the box allowing SOCAT to review datasets. Click \u201cOK\u201d. Your dataset is submitted.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3477\" src=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture15.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1873\" height=\"781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture15.png 1873w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture15-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture15-1024x427.png 1024w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture15-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture15-1536x640.png 1536w, https:\/\/socat.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How_To_Submit_Picture15-1200x500.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Which option choosing ?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li>Since all the data used for SOCAT must be archived, you are presented with three options for archiving the dataset you uploaded to SOCAT.<br \/>\nThe first and the default is to have the data archived at CDIAC when the next version of SOCAT is released. This option allows SOCAT scientists to examine your data, possibly resulting in corrections or additions to your data or metadata files, before the dataset is archived.<\/li>\n<li>The second option for archival is to archive at CDIAC immediately. This option makes your uploaded data and metadata files available to the public as quickly as possible, but will also require resubmitting these files after corrections and other updates.<\/li>\n<li>The third archival option indicates that the dataset is already archived (such as when the dataset is already published), or that you will archive it at some standard data archival center (if you wish to archive it somewhere other than CDIAC) before the next release of SOCAT. For this option, we request that you provide the DOI or other archival reference to the dataset in the metadata you provide to SOCAT so we may properly cite your dataset within SOCAT.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<!-- Break --><\/p>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a8dd419bc5b4\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Step 6: What happens after the submission?&lt;\/strong&gt;\"    ><strong>Step 6: What happens after the submission?<\/strong><\/span><div id=\"target-id6a8dd419bc5b4\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<p>Once a dataset is submitted for QC, you are limited in what you can do with the dataset on the Dashboard. You can always modify your data archival option given on the \u201cSubmit for QC page\u201d, reexamine the data-check results from the \u201cIdentify Columns\u201d page, and re-examine the preview plots of your data from the \u201cPreview Dataset\u201d page. However, you will not be able to update the data or the data types while a dataset is submitted for QC.<\/p>\n<p>If you need to update the data, the dataset needs to be suspended using the SOCAT QC Editor. The QC status in the Dashboard will then change to \u201cSuspended\u201d and you can modify the dataset as desired<a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\"><\/a>. When you are done with your changes, you then submit your dataset for QC once again.<\/p>\n<p>If you only need to update the metadata for your dataset, either to correct errors or to add missing information to improve the QC rating, you do not need to suspend the cruise. Instead, use the \u201cEdit OME Metadata\u201d or \u201cSupplemental Documents\u201d page to modify, delete, or add the metadata documents as desired. When the metadata documents are modified, the dataset will be marked as updated in the QC editor (and thus needing to be QC\u2019ed again), but since the data has not been modified, any WOCE flags that had been assigned to the data itself will remain in place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><!-- Break --><\/p>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a8dd419bc5e7\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"&lt;strong&gt;What has changed since last year ?&lt;\/strong&gt;\"    ><strong>What has changed since last year ?<\/strong><\/span><div id=\"target-id6a8dd419bc5e7\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<ol>\n<li>To ensure file harmonization and interoperability, we encourage as many contributors as possible to use the integrated metadata tool.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<pre>For any comments or suggestions, please <a href=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/contact\/\">contact us<\/a>. Your feedback is much appreciated.<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Upcoming deadlines Submission deadline for v2027: 15 January 2027 Quality control deadline for v2027:\u00a019 March 2027 Scheduled SOCATv2027 release:\u00a0June 2027 Get a quick overview of the procedure by watching the video below. Notes : Data submissions are accepted throughout the year. Submitting data continuously helps reduce pressure on the submission and processing interface. However, only &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/how-to-submit-data\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;How to submit datasets ?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3444","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3444"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3867,"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3444\/revisions\/3867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/socat.info\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}