Scope and Use Case

Bitstreams are files attached to items in DSpace. After an item is submitted, the bitstream(s) attached to it can be edited. New bitstreams can be added and existing bitstreams can be edited or deleted.

Bitstreams are added in bundles (e.g., Original, which contains the original file(s); License, which contains any license associated with the file(s); Text, which contains any file(s) with extracted text for searching; Thumbnail, which contains any thumbnail image(s) of the original file(s)). New bundles can be added and the bitstreams in existing bundles can be edited or deleted.

Audience

• Repository Administrators
• Community Administrators
• Collection Administrators

Edit Bitstream Process

Step 1: Login using your DSpace credentials.

Step 2: Go to the item you want to edit.

Users can reach an item through multiple methods, including those listed below:

1. Search for an item 
2. Browse communities and collections
3. Find an item in the Administration section at Edit > Item
4. Use the existing item URL

Step 3: Click on the “Edit” button as highlighted on the screen below. This button will appear to any user who has edit rights on the target item.

Step 4: Click on the “Bitstreams” tab to edit the bitstreams.

From the Bitstreams tab you can:

1. Add a new bundle containing a new bitstream.
2. Add a new bitstream to an existing bundle.
3. Edit or delete an existing bitstream in an existing bundle.

Add a new bundle containing a new bitstream

Step 1: Click on the “Upload” button to upload a bitstream in existing bundles or create a new bundle to add a bitstream.

Step 2: Enter the bundle name or select an existing name from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Drag and drop the bitstream(s) you want to attach to the bundle, or click on the “browse” link appearing in the file upload section to locate the bitstream(s).

Step 4: After a successful bitstream upload, add more details about the bitstream on the next screen. Click the “Save” button at the bottom of the page to save details, or click the “Cancel” button to discard updates.

Below is the description of various fields appearing on this page

1. Primary file: Click the button to set the bitstream as the primary file for that bundle. If another bitstream was the primary file beforehand, it will be replaced with this one. The thumbnail for the primary file of the ORIGINAL bundle will be used as the main thumbnail for the item.
2. Filename: The default value appearing in this field is the bitstream's filename. However, users can replace it with the value of their choice.
3. Description: Users can add a description of the attachment in this field.
4. Embargo until date: Users can select a future date to restrict public access to the attachment. Additionally, users can grant access to a specific set of users by selecting user groups.
5. Selected format: If the file extension of the uploaded attachment exists in the DSpace’s bitstream registry, the user will see the registered value for extension in this field. Users can change the value by selecting another one using the dropdown.

After clicking the “Save” button, the user will be redirected to the bitstream tab. A prompt confirming success or failure will appear. 

Edit a Bitstream or Bundle in an item

Step 1: Click on a bitstream and drag it above or below another bitstream(s) in the bundle to change the bitstream’s sequence.

Step 2: Apart from adjusting the bitstream’s sequence in a bundle, below are other options available:

1. Download Bitstream: Click the button to download the attachment on the local device.
2. Edit Bitstream: The “Edit bitstream” button is used to edit details. More details are given in the following steps.
3. Delete Bitstream: Click on the Delete Bitstream button to delete Bitstream from the bundle.

Step 3: Click the "Edit" button on the screen above to edit the bitstream details. Below is the description of various fields appearing on this form

1. Primary bitstream: Click on this button to set the bitstream as the primary bitstream for that bundle. If another bitstream was the primary bitstream beforehand, it will be replaced with this one. The thumbnail for the primary bitstream of the ORIGINAL bundle will be used as the main thumbnail for the item.
2. Filename: The default value appearing in this field is the attachment’s filename. Users can replace it with the value of their choice.
3. Description: Users add a description of the attachment in this field.
4. Embargo until date: Users can select a future date to restrict public access to the attachment. Additionally, users can grant access to a specific set of users by selecting user groups. 
5. Selected format: If the file extension of the uploaded attachment exists in the DSpace’s bitstream registry, the user will see the registered value for extension in this field. Users can change the value by selecting another one using the dropdown.

After clicking the “Save” button, the user will be redirected to the bitstream tab. A prompt confirming success or failure will appear.

Step 4: Use the "Delete" button to delete a bitstream. The attachment you want to delete will be highlighted in the red background for confirmation.

Click the “Save” button appearing below the bitstreams list to continue with the deletion. Otherwise, click the “Discard” button to cancel the process.