Begleitformaten

Begleitformaten (singular Begleitformat) are companion documents or media that accompany a primary content item such as a report, data set, or multimedia production. They provide supplementary information, context, or extended detail that is helpful for understanding or interpreting the main material. The term is widely used in German-speaking regions and appears in legal, educational, scientific, and media contexts.

In law, Begleitformaten can contain copies of statutes, case law, or remarks that explain the application of a legal provision. In academia, they are often used as appendices that hold raw data, methodology descriptions, or extended proofs that would otherwise clutter the main body of a paper. In publishing, a Begleitformat may be a companion PDF or eBook which carries additional illustrations, author notes, or interactive content that complements the printed or digital edition.

Typical types of Begleitformaten include supplementary PDFs, data tables in CSV or Excel format, audio or video clips, source code packages, or web-based infographics. The exact format is usually chosen to best match the nature of the accompanying content and the preferred medium of the intended audience.

Begleitformaten are valued for enabling modular distribution of complex works, allowing users to access a concise core document while having the option to explore detailed backups at depth. They are especially common in research institutions, open‑access publishing, and governmental information portals, where transparency and reproducibility are prioritized.