> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.panomics.bio/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.panomics.bio/documentation/administration/ontologies.md).

# Ontologies

Ontologies are used to create controlled vocabularies that can be used for metadata fields with type `ontology`.

### **Ontology Listing View** <a href="#metadata-field-listing-view" id="metadata-field-listing-view"></a>

<figure><img src="/files/5CgzpE1k574NA6o7Uh9y" alt=""><figcaption><p>Ontology listing</p></figcaption></figure>

### Create Ontology Dialog

To create an ontology, click on the `CREATE` button in the grid toolbar.

<figure><img src="/files/vB0DtVIibypEVV3y1hWv" alt=""><figcaption><p>Create ontology</p></figcaption></figure>

The CSV file must have 3 columns and no header. The columns are `ID`, `Label`, `Synonyms`. The synonyms should be separated by the pipe symbol.

Below you can see an example:

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>NCBITaxon_9606</td><td>Homo sapiens</td><td>Human|human</td></tr><tr><td>NCBITaxon_10090</td><td>Mus musculus</td><td>Mouse|mouse</td></tr><tr><td>NCBITaxon_10116</td><td>Rattus norvegicus</td><td>Rat|rat</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Edit Ontology Dialog

To edit an ontology, select the ontology from the grid, then click on the `EDIT` button in the grid toolbar.

<figure><img src="/files/kTJPQwOMO8YuQsjsThSR" alt=""><figcaption><p>Edit ontology</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important considerations:**

* Standard ontologies cannot be edited.
* Currently, only the ontology description can be updated.

If you require an update of the controlled vocabulary, please contact us for support.
{% endhint %}

### Delete Ontology

Only non-standard ontologies that have never been used can be deleted.