How to Access and Start Using Datashare at datashare.icij.org

Updated

To get started, open https://datashare.icij.org in a web browser. That hostname is the entry point for ICIJ's Datashare; once the page loads, look for the sign-in option or a search box to begin. Whether you need an account, and what access level you get, is set by the site itself — check the page for its current sign-in and access requirements rather than assuming open access.

What you'll see when the site opens

Datashare is ICIJ's platform for searching and researching large document sets. The public site is the front door to that material, so the first screen is where you decide how to proceed:

  • A sign-in or account prompt — if the site asks you to log in, follow its own instructions for creating or using an account.
  • A search field — if search is available without signing in, you can start with a name, organization, country, or keyword.
  • Project or dataset listings — where the site presents available collections, use them to pick a starting point.

The exact layout can change, so treat the page in front of you as the source of truth for what's offered.

A practical first session

  1. Open the site. Go to datashare.icij.org in a current browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge).
  2. Read the landing page. Note any sign-in button, search box, or links to documentation and help.
  3. Handle access first. If a login is required, complete it before searching; if not, go straight to search.
  4. Run a narrow search. Start with one specific term — a person, company, or place — rather than a broad topic. A narrow query is easier to judge: you can tell quickly whether results are relevant.
  5. Check what a result actually is. Open a result and confirm the document type, date, and source before relying on it.
  6. Verify before you cite. Cross-check anything important against the original document or a second source.

Expected result: after step 4 you should see a results list you can scan; after step 5 you should know whether the collection covers your topic at all.

Common sticking points

  • You can't find a search box. The site may require sign-in first, or search may sit behind a project page. Look for a login link or a "search" or "explore" entry.
  • You're asked for credentials you don't have. Access rules are set by the site; check its help or account pages for how access is granted instead of guessing.
  • Results are thin. Try alternate spellings, related names, or a broader term, and check whether you're searching within the right collection.
  • You're unsure a document is genuine or complete. Treat search results as leads. Confirm details in the underlying document and note its date and context.

What to expect, and what not to assume

Datashare is built for document-heavy research — searching across large sets of files and pulling out relevant records. It is not a general web search engine, and results reflect whatever collections the site hosts.

This guide can't tell you whether registration is free, which datasets are public, or what each access tier includes, because those details aren't confirmed here. Check the site directly for current terms, and don't assume free or unrestricted access until the page says so.