Abstract: 【Purpose/significance】 Archival data is a fundamental information resource and strategic production factor that supports the construction of the Digital China. Exploring the theoretical connotation and value realization methods of archival data elements is of great significance. 【Method/process】 Through literature review, model construction and theoretical integration, on the basis of re⁃ vealing the symbiotic mechanism of archival data, exploring the essence and value form of archival data elements.【 Result/conclusion】 The transformation from archival data to archival data elements is a process of resource element transformation, which promotes the clarity of archival data resource ownership, quantity and scale, quality standardization, and content structuring, laying the foundation for value mining. The process of realizing the value of archival data elements is to strengthen institutional empowerment, technological empowerment, subject empowerment, industrial empowerment, activate the potential value of archival data elements, and promote the innovative development of new quality productive forces.【 Innovation/limitation】 Exploring new domains of archival data elements and propose a transformation path of "archival data → archival data elements → archival data element value". In future research, we will further strengthen practical verification and quantitative analysis, and promote the deepening of the connotation and practical cultiva⁃ tion of archival data elements.