Controlled vocabulary
A fixed, agreed list of the values a field is allowed to hold, such as the two-letter codes for US states.
A controlled vocabulary only works if entry is restricted to it. A list that exists in a document while the form accepts any text is a suggestion.
Where it comes up
- Inconsistent category labelsA column meant to hold a few fixed values holds many spellings of them.
- Free text in a coded fieldA column meant to hold one of a few fixed values also holds comments, explanations, and whole sentences.
See also
- Canonical valueThe one agreed spelling for a thing that can be written several ways, such as VA for Virginia, virginia, and Va.
- Reference dataThe agreed lists of permitted values that other data is classified by, such as country codes, currency codes, and order statuses.
- Free textA field in which a person can type anything, such as a notes or comments box, with no fixed list of choices and no required format.