How to navigate in a dataset

Each dataset consists of 3 main parts:

• 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

This top part of the dataset shows: 

• clickable breadcrumb which shows where this dataset is located in the data navigation tree
• dataset title
• online data code
• 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.
• source of the data

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

• 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

This middle part of the dataset allows you to customise each dimension of the dataset as well as to customise the layout of the dimensions of the dataset.

The screenshot below shows the example of the selection panel shown when the option 'Table' is chosen in the data display. The options in this section change slightly when the data display panel is set to show a line chart, bar chart, or map. 

Customise the data selection

To customise a dataset, you can proceed in the following ways:

• click on the button called 'Customise dataset' located towards the right-hand side in this panel to open the data selection panel and create your customised dataset
• click on the edit / pen icon  located behind the title of each dimension to open the data selection panel exactly on this specific dimension
• use the filtering option by expanding each dimension via the drop-down arrow located behind the number of values displayed (for example behind the 46/46 value displayed text in the dimension on geopolitical entity).

In all cases, you will be able to go through all the dimensions you wish to customise and see what options are available. 

Customise the layout

You can also customise the layout of the dataset and choose which dimension(s) to display in the row and column (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  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  located in each dimension field at the lower right-hand side

Dimensions marked in grey colour 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. 

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

Data display 

In this bottom part of the dataset, you can choose different ways to display the data. This comprises 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 format options, creating bookmarks, and downloading the dataset. 

Flags

They are located below the data display and displays a legend of special values and flags used in the dataset. 

Flags are codes added to the data and defining a specific characteristic. They are dispatched in 2 code lists: Obs_status (observation status) and Conf_status (confidentiality status). 

Observation status

Confidentiality status

The confidentiality status list 'Conf_status' will contain the following flags:

Coding conventions

Special value

This code replaces the real data.