More formatting options and tips for BLS data retrieval tools

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To override the previous screen's year range and retrieve data for a single period/month:

1. Retrieve your data using any BLS data retrieval tool, e.g., the One-Screen Data Search tool.
   (By default, the tool retrieves the last ten (10) years up to the current period.)
2. Click the "Get Data" button.
3. Click on the “More Formatting Options” link.
4. Select the view for your data, e.g., “Original Data Value,”
   “1 Month Percent Change,” or “3 Months NET Change.”
5. Select your time frames for your data, e.g., “2009” for year and/or “January” for one time period.
6. Click the "include graph" checkbox (you must select at least two years).
7. Select one of the other output items, e.g., HTML Tables, if you desire.
8. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.

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To calculate NET Change:

Calculates and displays NET CHANGE for a series for selected discrete periods or 1 year.

1. Retrieve your data using any BLS data retrieval tool, e.g., the Series Report tool.
   (By default, the tool retrieves the last ten (10) years up to the current period.)
2. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.
3. Click on the “More Formatting Options” link.
4. For Net Change, select the view for your data, e.g., “1 Month Net Change,”
   “3 Months Net Change,” or “12 months Net Change” for the entire year.
5. Select a time for your data, e.g., All Time Periods.(Optional)
6. Specify the year range, if it is something other than the default, or select one time period, e.g., June.(Optional)
7. Click the "include graph" checkbox (you must select at least two years).(Optional)
8. Select one of the other output items, e.g., HTML Tables, if you desire.
9. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.

Note: This feature does not apply to all surveys.

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To calculate PERCENT Change:

Calculates and displays PERCENT CHANGE for a series for selected discrete periods or 1 year.

1. Retrieve your data using any BLS data retrieval tool, e.g., the Top Picks tool.
   (By default, the tool retrieves the last ten (10) years up to the current period.)
2. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.
3. Click on the “More Formatting Options” link.
4. For Percent Change, select the view for your data, e.g., “1 Month Percent Change,”
   “3 Months Percent Change,” or “12 months Percent Change” for the entire year.
5. Select a time for your data, e.g., All Time Periods.(Optional)
6. Specify the year range, if it is something other than the default, or select one time period, e.g., June.(Optional)
7. Click the “include graph” checkbox (you must select at least two years).(Optional)
8. Select one of the other output items, e.g., HTML Tables, if you desire.
9. Click the “Retrieve Data” button.

(Note: This feature does not apply to all surveys.)

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To display a Graph:

Displays graph for a series for selected discrete periods/years.

1. Retrieve your data using any BLS data retrieval tool, e.g., the Top Picks tool.
   (By default, the tool retrieves the last ten (10) years up to the current period.)
2. Click on the “More Formatting Options” link.
3. Select the view for your data, e.g., “Original Data Value,”
   “1 Month Percent Change,” or “3 Months NET Change.”
4. Select a time for your data, e.g., All Time Periods. (Optional)
5. Specify the year range, if it is something other than the default, or select one time period, e.g., June. (Optional)
6. Click the “include graph” checkbox (you must select at least two years).
7. Select one of the other output items, e.g., HTML Tables, if you desire.
8. Click the “Retrieve Data” button.

(Note: This feature does not apply to all formatting options.)

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To generate your output in a comma-delimited text table:

Generates output in a comma-delimited text table.

1. Retrieve your data using any BLS data retrieval tool, e.g., the Multi-Screen Data Search tool.
   (By default, the tool retrieves the last ten (10) years up to the current period.)
2. Click on the “More Formatting Options” link.
3. Select the view for your data, e.g., “Original Data Value,”
   “1 Month Percent Change,” or “3 Months NET Change.”
4. Select a time for your data, e.g., All Time Periods. (Optional)
5. Specify the year range, if it is something other than the default, or select one time period, e.g., June. (Optional)
6. In the Output Type box, click the “Text” radio button.
7. Select comma delimited from the drop-down list box.
8. Click the “Retrieve Data” button.

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To generate your output in a tab-delimited text table:

Generates output in a tab-delimited text table.

1. Retrieve your data using any BLS data retrieval tool, e.g., the Multi-Screen Data Search tool.
   (By default, the tool retrieves the last ten (10) years up to the current period.)
2. Click on the “More Formatting Options” link.
3. Select the view for your data, e.g., “Original Data Value,”
   “1 Month Percent Change,” or “3 Months NET Change.”
4. Select a time for your data, e.g., All Time Periods. (Optional)
5. Specify the year range, if it is something other than the default, or select one time period, e.g., June. (Optional)
6. In the Output Type box, click the “Text” radio button.
7. Select tab delimited from the drop-down list box.
8. Click the “Retrieve Data” button.

 

Last Modified Date: June 29, 2009