Statistical Classifications and Linked Open Data

The Caliper platform and how to extend its coverage

Workshop co-organized by FAO and UNSD
10 November 2025
Online

Abstract

In this workshop, we will introduce Caliper, a platform for the management and dissemination of statistical classifications based on well consolidated web technologies collectively under the name of “Linked Open Data”. The goal of such a platform is to disseminate existing classifications with improved features of usability, reusability and interoperability, in line with the FAIR principles. Moreover, Caliper also supports the collaborative creation and maintenance of new classifications, together with any relevant metadata and correspondences.

In this workshop we will briefly highlight the rationale for developing Caliper, and its main features and functionalities. Then, we will use the case of COICOP 2018 to explain how a statistical classification can be converted for inclusion in Caliper.

Participants will be given access to a private sandbox area in the Caliper editing tool (VocBench), where they can practice the instructions provided during the workshop, and available in this document.  The slide deck presented, and the audio-video recording of the session, will also be available to participants.

SLIDES PRESENTED

Pointers – Caliper

This page online: https://www.fao.org/statistics/caliper/resources/ws-caliper-sheet2rdf/en

1. Caliper website: https://www.fao.org/statistics/caliper/en
2. Caliper public services hosted at BC3:
   • Browser (ShowVoc): https://caliper.integratedmodelling.org/caliper/browse/showvoc/#/home
   • Sparql query with graphical interface: https://caliper.integratedmodelling.org/caliper/sparql/
3. Services for testing and internal development.
   • Editing (VocBench): https://caliperdev.integratedmodelling.org/caliper/edit/vocbench3/#/Home

Hands on – Practicing conversion with Sheet2RDF

For this hands-on practice, we will use COICOP2018.

Materials

Input files:

1. Structure: COICOP2018 structure (.xlsx) - Structure mapping file (.pr)
2. Metadata: COICOP2018 metadata (.xlsx) – Metadata mapping file (.pr)

VocBench Sandbox at: https://caliperdev.integratedmodelling.org/caliper/edit/vocbench3/#/Home

-> Credentials: use those that have been explained to you during the workshop (password to be changed at first login).

For testing purposes, your user is associated with all available roles.

Instructions for practicing on your own

Execute the files given at least once

First, download the input files and conversion files on your local drive.

Then, go to your sandbox project (at: https://caliperdev.integratedmodelling.org/caliper/edit/vocbench3/#/Home) and:

1. Go to Tools → Sheet2RDF and:
   1. In the top box (“Source”), click on “Browse” and upload the COICOP_2018_English_structure_with_parent.xls (that you have previously downloaded). The spreadsheet will appear on the screen.
   2. In the right panel (“Pearl”), click on the little arrow pointing upward and upload the pr. file (that you have previously downloaded) with the same name.
   3. Click on the little green triangle to execute the instructions contained in the mapping file.
   4. Down, in the “Generated triples preview”, you will see the result of the mapping.  You can modify and re-run the mapping file as many times as you want. Once happy with the result, click on icon next to “Export” (“Add triples”) to add the converted data to the project
   5. Then go to Menu Data, tab Concept, and refresh using the refresh icon to the right. You will see the hierarchy of COICOP. 

To complete the conversion, follow the same procedure to convert the input file for metadata (COICOP2018_metadata.xls) using the .pr file with the same name. 

Try on your own

You are invited to explore the functionalities of VocBench and Sheet2RDF on your own! For example, you could modify the spreadsheets (e.g., adding/removing columns or changing column names) and/or mapping files (e.g., removing mapping instructions), then run the converter to observe the different results.

Remember that you can run the converter as many times as you like before clicking on “Add data”. Once data has been added to the project, it would be better to empty the project before doing another test, to start your explorations in an empty space. To empty the project:

Global Data Management → Clear Data

With Clear data removes everything from the project, including anything you may have loaded in the Sheet2RDF space.