Help:Default values for labels and aliases

Items can (now) be given default values, such as names and other proper nouns unlikely to differ between languages. Default values simplify working on items that have identical values for labels and aliases in a plurality of languages. You can still set different values for individual languages. These default values can be accessed via API using the language code mul ("multiple languages").

How does it work?

Mockup of the default values feature

• Add a default value.
• Wikidata uses these default values for labels or aliases where no other value is given (see screenshot).
• Where applicable: Add a statement to indicate the native language of the label, e.g., native label (P1705) or name in native language (P1559).

When should I use default values for labels and aliases?

There are types of Items where you should apply default values:

Names

• People, e.g., Douglas Adams (Q42). Use the name in native language and native scripture as the default value. Please remember to add a name in native language (P1559) statement.
• Given names and family names, e.g., Conti (Q21448867).
• Astronomical objects, e.g., SDSS J151017.36+160605.3 (Q74758893).
• Taxa, e.g., Neotrogla curvata (Q39898268).

Titles

• Scientific articles, e.g., Wikidata: A Free Collaborative Knowledgebase (Q18507561). Use the title in the language of the work as the default value. Don't forget to add a language of work or name (P407) statement.

Symbols and characters

• Unicode characters, e.g., ♣ (Q87526860).
• Element codes, e.g., C (alias).

Codes

• Country codes, e.g., CH (alias).

Wikimedia pages

• Disambiguation pages, e.g., C (Q28006).

FAQ

Do I need to repeat aliases in my language?

Probably not. The purpose of aliases is only to find entities in searches. All languages are used when searching, so generally aliases need not be repeated. Instead, add aliases that are valid across many languages to the 'default values' section.

Why is this important?

More and more we see redundant labels, aliases, and descriptions being added to Wikidata entities. These are hard to maintain, and all superfluous data brings our already overburdened infrastructure closer to its limits (see Wikidata Query Service). Default values improve the situation for labels and aliases; a different solution is in the works for descriptions (viz. T303677).

When will this feature be available on Wikidata?

Tracked in Phabricator
Task T285156

The release is planned for Q1/2024. You can already test the functionality right now on test.wikidata.org, where we are currently testing the beta version of the feature.

Where can I report problems?

Please report problems on the talk page of this page.