Consistency
Consistency means each attribute is written one way across the whole catalogue: one unit per field, one word per value and one format per identifier.
- Data consistency
What it means
Consistency is the second of the three quality measures, beside completeness and confidence. It asks whether each value is written the same way everywhere, across every supplier: one unit per field, one word per value, one format per identifier.
This check is the most likely to fail when a catalogue draws on more than one supplier, because each brings its own vocabulary. Corner and Corner Bath, 2.5kg and 2500 g, a barcode with spaces beside one without: each pair is one thing written two ways.
Three spreadsheet checks catch most of it. Filter each measurement column for every unit in turn. Search the specification columns for cells holding several measurements. Run a pivot table on each attribute column, sorted A to Z, so near-duplicates sit side by side.
Think of it like this
Imagine a shared calendar where one person writes 3pm, another 15:00 and a third “after lunch”. Every entry is true, but nobody can sort them or spot a clash at a glance.
For example
Three kettles of the same weight arrive as 2.5kg, 2500 g and 2,5 KG. Made consistent, all three read 2.5 in a column headed Weight (kg), and a sort by weight finally puts them together.
Why it matters
Inconsistent values break things quietly. Each spelling becomes its own filter option, showing only part of the range. Google also says that if product length, width and height do not share one unit, “the information won’t be displayed”.1