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Corporate Reference Data Library Metadata dashboard

This dashboard presents the metadata associated with the tables in the Corporate Reference Data Library (CRDL).

Page contents

The Corporate Reference Data Library (CRDL) is a collection of Reference datasets, held in SQL tables, under the database DSS_CORPORATE, on the SQL Server DSSPROD.  It provides users with a centrally maintained source of Reference data.  A copy of the CRDL is also made available in Data Processing Services (DPS) for Data Access Environment (DAE) and Secure Data Environment (SDE) users.

To effectively utilise the CRDL, users require access to the metadata associated with each table.

What this data shows

The dashboard presents the metadata associated with the tables in the Corporate Reference Data Library (CRDL)

View the dashboard

The dashboard can be viewed via the following link:

How recent is this data

The data in the dashboard is updated on a daily basis, any changes to the metadata in the CRDL should be shown in the Corporate Reference Metadata Dashboard the following day.

Using the Corporate Reference Metadata Dashboard

When the dashboard loads, users are presented with a list of all the tables in the CRDL, along with some  information about each. 

If text is truncated for any of the fields on the main page, then the full text will be displayed when the mouse pointer is hovered over the field.

There are two further pages associated with each table, an Information, and a Metadata page.  These pages can be accessed by selecting the table in the list, and then either selecting the Information or Metadata buttons at the top right of the page, or by selecting the Click to view this asset’s information or click to view this asset’s Metadata links, which are available when you hover your mouse pointer over the table selected.

Dashboard field definitions

The fields found on the information and metadata pages are as follows;

Information
  • Asset Name: the name of the table, as it appears in the CRDL
  • Schema: the schema the table is held under
  • Asset Type: whether the asset is a SQL table or view
  • Update Method: the update methodology the E.T.L. process associated with the table uses when processing an update to the table
  • Data Owner: the team / organisation which owns the dataset held in the table
  • Data Supplier: the team / organisation responsible for releasing the dataset held in the table
  • Source File Name: the name of the source file used to update the table
  • Data Source: where the source data is acquired from
  • Keywords: keywords used to describe the dataset held in the table
  • Restricted Access: whether access to the table is restricted using a schema, due to use of the dataset being subject to a license agreement
  • Lookup Tables: associated tables which can be used to lookup values
  • End Date Records: whether the record / business end date field is populated when the record no longer appears in the source
  • Description: a description of the dataset held in the table
  • Known Issues: any known issues with the dataset
  • Data Quality Issues: any data quality issues with the dataset
  • Further Information: any further information users should be aware of when querying the dataset
Metadata
  • Asset Name: the name of the table, as it appears in the CRDL
  • Schema: the schema the table is held under.
  • Type: whether the asset is a SQL table or view
Keys - keys that exist on the table
  • Key Name: the name of the key.
  • Key Type: whether the key is a Primary (PK) or Unique (UQ) key.
  • Columns: the columns that make up the key
Indexes - indexes that exist on the table
  • Index Name: the name of the index
  • Index Type: whether the index is Clustered or Non-Clustered
  • Columns: the columns that make up the index
Constraints - constraints that exist on the table
  • Constraint Name: the name of the constraint
  • Expression: the expression which forms the constraint
Columns – the columns which make up the table
  • Column ID: indicates the order of columns in the table
  • Column Name: the name of the column
  • Data Type: the data type of the column
  • Max Length: for columns which have a string data type, the maximum length of the string allowed
  • Nulls Allowed: whether the column allows null values
  • Identity: whether the column is an auto-incrementing ID field
  • Computed: whether the column is derived using an expression
  • Lookup: any table which can be used to lookup values in the column
  • Description: a description of the contents of the column

The fields ‘Asset Name’, Description, ‘Known Issues’, ‘Data Quality Issues’, ‘Further Information’, Schema, ‘Asset Type’ are also found on the main page of the dashboard.

There’s a search function on the main page of the dashboard.  To carry out a search of the dashboard, enter the search words into the ‘Search Assets’ text box and press enter.  The search is performed against the ‘Asset Name’, Description, Keywords fields.  The search results will be listed on the main page of the dashboard.

Terms of use

User access to the private portal (dashboard) is strictly subject to the Dashboard End User Access Agreement.

By accessing the data through the private portal, you are accepting the terms of the Dashboard End User Access Agreement.

Data may be downloaded and analysed using other analytical tools but must not be shared outside the user’s organisation.

Privacy policy

The privacy policy describes what information NHS England collects about you and how it is used to provide you with access to, and enable your on-going use of, the dashboard.

Queries and support

If you have any concerns or issues with the data presented or missing data, email [email protected].

 

Last edited: 8 July 2025 5:33 pm