You used the search bar, data catalog, link from a chart, or a link elsewhere on the platform to access a dataset of interest. Now what? The Dataset Viewer has a wide range of features depending on what you want to do with the data.
From the dataset viewer, you may:
- *NEW* On some systems, you may have early access to the beta version of our latest dataset viewer that allows for transformations and more on the fly. Read more below!
- View all details about the data source and the dataset metadata (frequency, last and next update date, description etc)
- Visualize data
- View other dashboards and presentations that are available publicly on the platform, created by you, or shared with you by others
- Create custom data alerts
- Follow a dataset for updates
- Build a dashboard based on your selection
- Export data and/or visualizations
Most of these features are covered in depth in this help desk. Here we will focus on the beta-version of our new Dataset Viewer and on Visualizing Data.
The Latest Dataset Viewer
The dataset viewer allows you to perform a variety of 'on the fly' adjustments for quick analytic assessments before you might dive deeper into the data and visualization options available on your system. If you are unsure if you have this version, open a regular dataset and make a selection. If you have the new version, you will see advanced features along the top of your data viewing space.
Key features now available:
Summation
You may be interested in adding up the values for a specific geographic area. Simply select select your data and click the sum icon in the left panel. Deselect to return to your original collection of time series lines.
Frequency
You may have data on a monthly and annual frequency but only need to review the monthly data at present. No problem. Select M for monthly from the Frequency options in the action bar. You can also use frequency to change, for example, quarterly data into annual data for analytic purposes with this feature.
Transformations
Perhaps you need to quickly review the moving average, % change from previous value, or other common calculated changes. You can now do that here! Again, select your data first and then choose the desired transformation from the drop-down menu.
Your chart will change instantly to show your data transformed per your selection. This transformation is also captured in the API snippets, including Excel (for DataFinder subscribers).
Adjust the Displayed Time Range
Only interested in viewing the data for the last year? Go ahead and reset your time range from the action bar. If you need something more custom, for example show me the data SINCE a certain time, click the 'Custom' option and the Time menu you will appear in your left panel menu like usual.
Visualizing Data
You just want to see the data. It's a few clicks away.
The left side of the screen includes the 'dimensions' by which the data is organized. Common dimensions include location, metric/indicator, and measure. Click each dimension to expand/collapse.
TIP! Always open the time dimension to choose, if available, the best frequency for your needs as well as scope your data. Do you want to see all available data for your selection, a specific time range, only the last few observations?
You can scan what is contained within each dimension by typing an asterisk (*) into the search bar of a dimension; alternatively, you can jump to what you are looking for by typing to search for it here as well.
TIP! Maybe there are 100s of locations and location groups and you've selected only four. As shown below, if you click the 4 to the right of the Country dimension title, the list will collapse to only the four you selected so that you can adjust and/or verify your selection.
As you make your selections in each dimension, the platform will try to start visualizing the data. The chart types features along the right side will change as you make your selection to try and smartly feature the best chart types toward the top based on your selection. You can override that and select any of these available chart types to see how it works with your selection.
TIP! Select the table or grid option, when available, twice to pivot the orientation of the content.