> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ess-dive.gitbook.io/csv-file-structure-reporting-format/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ess-dive.gitbook.io/csv-file-structure-reporting-format/csv_instructions.md).

# Instructions

## Instructions

1. A tabular data file should meet the minimum criteria as defined in the Elements:\
   a. [Detailed Guide to the Elements](/csv-file-structure-reporting-format/documents/csv_detailed_guide.md)\
   b. [Quick guide to the Elements](/csv-file-structure-reporting-format/documents/csv_quick_guide.md)
2. If the data are initially saved in a different program (e.g. Excel), comply with the reporting format, convert the file to CSV, and resolve data inconsistencies and/or formatting problems.
3. Submit a companion CSV data dictionary following the [CSV\_dd\_instructions](https://github.com/ess-dive-workspace/essdive-file-level-metadata/tree/main/CSV_dd).
4. Within the FLMD file, the [standard](https://github.com/ess-dive-workspace/essdive-file-level-metadata/blob/main/flmd_quick_guide.md#standard) for each CSV guidelines reporting format related file should be **ESS-DIVE CSV v1**. If submitting your dataset to ESS-DIVE, include the keyword **ESS-DIVE CSV File Formatting Guidelines Reporting Format** in the package-level metadata.

## Notes

* CSV fields common to ESS-DIVE Package Level Metadata are consistent in format structure.
* These elements represent the ideal file for interoperable and machine-readable data.
* Following the recommended format and structure of the CSV Reporting Format will facilitate FLMD extraction of some fields using the [File Level Metadata Extractor](https://code.ornl.gov/ngee-arctic/ess-dive-meta)

***

**Contents of the Elements**

File Structure

* Character Set
* Delimiter
* Data Matrix
* Column or Row Name Orientation

Naming Structure

* File Name
* Column or Row Names
* Units

Field Structure

* Consistent Values
* Missing Value Codes
* Temporal Data
* Temporal Data Range
* Spatial Data