Skip to the content

User guide > Data Browser > Introduction > How to navigate in a dataset

The data browser interface consists of three sections:

  • title and additional dataset information, located on the top
  • data selection and dataset layout to customise the dataset and its layout, located in the middle
  • data display in form of table, line chart, bar chart or map, with additional options and functionalities, such as the download. This also includes information on special values used in the dataset. 

Below an example is given using a dataset on the gross domestic product (GDP).

Title and additional information section of a GDP dataset

This top part of the dataset shows: 

  • a clickable breadcrumb indicating the location of this dataset within the data navigation tree
  • the dataset title
  • the online data code
  • a digital object identifier (DOI), with an option to copy this code to the clipboard 
  • last update date of the dataset
  • view setting (if accessing the dataset from the data navigation tree, this is always showing the default view of the dataset. If you select a specific breakdown of the dataset or use a customised bookmark, the view will show the custom dataset.)
  • the source of the data

Located towards the right-hand side in this top part, you can access the following: 

  • a link to the  metadata page providing background information and explanations on the data and data source. (Not every dataset has corresponding metadata. If the button is greyed out, it means no metadata page is available for this dataset.)
  • dataset information 
  • add to my datasets (This functionality is only available if you are logged in. The text 'Add to My datasets' is only shown if the dataset has not been previously added to your datasets. If you have added this dataset in the past, the button shows the text 'Remove from my datasets'.)

Data selection and dataset layout

Below the information section is the selection area. In this section, it is possible to modify each dimension as well as the layout of the dimensions.

The selection shown below can be accessed when using the ‘Table’ view. The options will change is another view is selected (such as Line, Bar or Map).

Selection area of the main GDP dataset.

Customise the data selection

Datasets can be customised by:

  • clicking on the button labelled 'Customise dataset' Screenshot of the button with the label 'Customise dataset'located towards the right-hand side. Doing so opens the data selection panel containing the full customisation options
  • clicking on the edit / pen icon Screenshot of the pen icon locatedto the right of the title of each dimension. This opens the data selection for this specific dimension
  • clicking the drop-down arrow located to the right of the number of values displayed for each dimension. (For example, behind the 45/45 value displayed text in the dimension on geopolitical entity).

Customise the layout

Users can modify the layout of the dataset and choose which dimension(s) to display in the row and column position (for the table view), the X axis or in the series (for line and bar charts), or geographical area and series (for map view). 

To do so, you can proceed as following:

  • use the drag and drop button Screenshot of blue drag and drop button located in each dimension field before the dimension title. (if this icon is marked in blue it indicates that this dimension is already visibly included in the layout, otherwise this icon is marked in grey and you can drag and drop it into the layout.)
  • use the display layout options button Screenshot of option layout button located in each dimension field at the lower right-hand side

Dimensions marked in grey are dimensions for which not all data is displayed in the data display view. For example, in the table view, data is only shown for the selected option in the blue dimension. By clicking on the little arrow in the dimension field, you can change the option and display data for a different option or you can move this dimension into the table's row or column. 

View of the expanded drop down menu with available indicators displayed.
 

For a more in-depth explanation please consult our information on how to customise the layout.

Data display 

The last section of the dataset displays the selected data. It is possible to view the data in a table view, a line chart, a bar chart, and a map. 

In addition for each of these possibilities, several options and functionalities are available, which include for example display settings, creating bookmarks, and downloading the dataset. 

The options buttons displayed below the selection area.
 

Access full user guide

Contact us