Appendex 2

14 Installing OpenRefine

The core functions of OpenRefine do not require internet access. It runs as a small web server on your own computer when you download and install it, and you access it using your browser. To import data from the online, reconcile data using a web service, or export data to the web, all you need is an internet connection.

To run OpenRefine, you’ll need three things on your computer:

14.1 Compatible operating system

  • OpenRefine is designed to work with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems

14.2 Java

  • To run OpenRefine, you must have Java installed and configured on your machine. The Mac version of OpenRefine contains Java, while a Windows package with Java was added in OpenRefine 3.4.

  • If you install and run OpenRefine on a Windows computer without Java, it will open a browser window with instructions for downloading Java.

  • Before installing OpenRefine, we recommend that you first download and install Java. Please keep in mind that OpenRefine 3.5 supports Java 8 through Java 17.

14.3 Compatible browser

  • OpenRefine works well with Webkit-based browsers, such as:
    • Chromium Google Chrome
    • Opera
    • Edge by Microsoft
  • Other browsers, such as Firefox, have some minor rendering and performance difficulties. Internet Explorer is not supported.