Scope of application

The format ONIX for books can be used when depositing e-books, university thesis, audio books and sheet music. Digital publications can be deposited with the DNB using the format versions ONIX 3.0 and ONIX 2.1. Since ONIX 3.0 is not backward-compatible with ONIX 2.1, the DNB will be offering both versions of this format in parallel for an interim period. Users wishing to deposit publications are urgently advised to switch to the version ONIX 3.

Documentation

The documentation describes how metadata in ONIX for Books format must be structured if they are to be successfully deposited with the DNB. The documents describes one type of publication per chapter. Each chapter is preceded by an overview in tabular form which summarises obligatory and facultative metadata elements. It is also possible to transfer and record additional metadata which go beyond the minimum requirements. All data are reviewed during the test phase required before the publication is deposited.

Metadata documentation for the format ONIX 3.0, version 1.0, dated 21.09.2021 (only available in German)

Metadata documentation for the format ONIX 2.1, version 2.2, dated: 31.05.2023 (only available in German)

The cross-format metadata core set must also be used. You will find more information here.

Examples

ONIX 3.0

ONIX 3.0 metadata can be delivered using short tags or reference tags (more detailed, "speaking" element names).

Sample files with XML-Data in ONIX for Books 3.0

ONIX 2.1

ONIX 2.1 metadata can be transmitted to the DNB using short tags only. Please contact us if you only have reference tags available.

Sample with XML-Data in ONIX for Books 2.1

Further information

• EDItEUR website - Further information about the format along with help and best-practice documents: https://www.editeur.org/8/ONIX/
• Homepage of the IG Produktmetadaten of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels e. V.: http://igproduktmetadaten.de/
• VLB ONIX recommendations https://vlb.de/hilfe/vlb-onix-empfehlungen
• Depositing online publications – an overview: https://www.dnb.de/EN/netzpublikationen