The DGSD records the following change types:
| Established | Declares that an entity came into existence for the first time during the Song Dynasty but does not reference the territory from which it was created. |
| Reestablished | Declares that an entity came into existence after a period during which it had been Abolished or Merged. |
| Name Change | Declares that an entity had its official name changed. |
| Split | Declares that an entity has been subdivided into multiple entities (As an end change) or has come into existence as the result of such a subdivision. The entity or entities related to the one in question are listed in the Target ID field. |
| Regained | Declares that an entity rejoined Song political control through some type of international event, such as war. |
| Promoted | Declares that an entity was moved up in rank either from town to county or from county to prefecture, or that it was moved up in prefecture rank. |
| Abolished | Declares that an entity was removed from political existence for the first time during the Song Dynasty but does not reference demotion to another feature. |
| Reabolished | Declares that the entity was removed from political existence after having been previously abolished and re-established during the Song Dynasty. |
| Merged | Declares that an entity was joined with another entity and now is considered to be under the jurisdiction of an entity listed in the Target ID field. |
| Lost | Declares that the entity was removed from political control due to some type of international event, such as war. |
| Demoted | Declares that an entity had its political rank reduced from prefecture to county or county to town or that it was reduced to a lower prefectural rank. |
| Transferred | Declares that an entity was placed under the jurisdiction of a new entity, indicated in the Target ID field. |