How to create a chart with live-updating metadata

In addition to using a live dataset, Datawrapper also has an option to use a live metadata file for your visualizations. The metadata file can overwrite most of the settings you can control in step 3 in Datawrapper. A common scenario where this is helpful is to display a 'Last Update' notice in your visualization, that shows when the dataset was last changed.

If you're in Step 1: Upload data, click on Link external dataset:

On the right side, click the " Show Advanced Option" toggle, which will reveal a text box that allows you to define the external metadata URL:

The external metadata file can overwrite any property in your visualization's metadata, as well as the title. For example, the file might look like this:

{
  "annotate": {
    "notes": "Last Update: 18.03.2021"
  }
}

This will affect the Notes field of your visualization. When proceeding to step 3, you'll notice that the Notes field is filled with the value from the external metadata file. It's read-only, as the value is defined by the external metadata file:

After publishing your visualization, your visualization will automatically use the value provided in the external metadata file. 

Below is a list of possible properties that are commonly used in overwriting texts in visualizations. However, you are not limited to these, as you can also overwrite any other part of your visualization's metadata.

title	

describe.intro

annotate.notes

describe.source-name

describe.source-url

describe.aria-description