When to use OpenRefine?

[rdstern]

In our Prepare > Check Data menu we can write data from R-Instat to the OpenRefine software. And we can read from OpenRefine.

OpenRefine is described as follows:
"OpenRefine (previously Google Refine) is a powerful tool for working with messy data: cleaning it; transforming it from one format into another; and extending it with web services and external data.

OpenRefine always keeps your data private on your own computer until YOU want to share or collaborate. Your private data never leaves your computer unless you want it to. (It works by running a small server on your computer and you use your web browser to interact with it)

OpenRefine is available in more than 15 languages."

That's nice! I would like to discuss this, both in our Help - as we have 2 dialogues, and in our documentation. So, I'd like some examples of messy data that can be tidied using OpenRefine and would be much more complicated to do with R-Instat. I am thinking from as user's point of view, i.e. someone who has already learned to use R-Instat (or R itself). Why should they also learn OpenRefine? Where does it fit as a data wrangling tool? Could we have some examples of types of data where the tidying is quite easy in OpenRefine, and would be difficult or more tedious or less professional in R(-Instat).

A potential user might already know OpenRefine, or they might have to learn it? If they have to learn it, then how long does that take and what are then the benefits. That's the challenge! Initially for @rachelkg and then hopefully for others!