Frequently asked questions regarding BLS website data retrieval tools

How to print data on one page?

How to save output to a disk?

How to retrieve data for a single period/month?

How to retrieve data for a single period/year?

How to retrieve the annual average for one year ? (Note: Data must be available for the periods selected, otherwise an error message will display, e.g., No Data.)

How to calculate Net Change from Period/Year(s)? (Note: This feature does not apply to all databases.)

How to calculate Percent Change from Period/Year(s)? (Note: This feature does not apply to all databases.)

How to copy BLS data tables to an Excel worksheet?

To print data on one page: Supported browsers -
	Windows			Mac

1. On the File menu, click Print.
2. Click "Preference" or "Properties" button.
3. Click "Advanced"tab or button.
4. Select Graphic, then Scaling.
5. Enter 80% or less in the "Scaling" box.
6. Click the "OK" button.
7. Click "OK" button again.
8. Click the "Print" button.

(Note: These instructions may not support all printers due to manufacturer-specific preferences that vary among print devices.)

To save output to a disk: Supported browsers -
	Windows			Mac

1. On the File menu, click Save Page As File.
2. Double click the folder/directory you want to save the page.
3. In the File Name box, type a name for the page.
4. Select Web page, complete from the Save as type drop-down menu.
5. Click the "Save" button.

To retrieve data for a single period/month: Supported browsers -
	Windows			Mac

1. After you retrieve the data,
2. Click the More Formatting options link at the top on the right-hand side of the data screen.
3. Select a format option for which to view the data, e.g., Table format.
4. Select one time period, e.g., January, under "Select the time frame for your data".
5. Select one of the listed options, e.g., HTML, under "Output Type".
6. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.

To retrieve data for a single year: Supported browsers -
	Windows			Mac

1. After you retrieve the data,
2. Click the More Formatting options link at the top on the right-hand side of the data screen.
3. Select a format option for which to view the data, e.g., Table format.
4. Select "Specify year range" in the drop-down menu under "Select the time frame for your data".

   For example, enter 1994-1994, to get data for 1994.

5. Select "All Time Periods".
6. Select one of the listed options, e.g., HTML, under "Output Type".
7. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.

To retrieve the Annual Average: Supported browsers -
	Windows			Mac

1. After you retrieve the data,
2. Click the More Formatting options link at the top on the right-hand side of the data screen.
3. Select a format option for which to view the data, e.g., Table format.
4. Select "All years" or "Specify year range", then select Annual Data, under "Select the time frame for your data" .
5. Select one of the listed options, e.g., HTML, under "Output Type".
6. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.

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

To calculate Net Change: Supported browsers -
	Windows			Mac

Calculates and displays net change for a series for selected discrete periods.

1. After you retrieve the data,
2. Click the More Formatting options link at the top on the right-hand side of the data screen.
3. Select a format option for which to view the data, e.g., Table format.
4. Select your Net Change option(s), e.g., 1 Month Net Change.
5. Select a time frame option under "Select the time frame for your data".
6. Select one of the listed options, e.g., HTML, under "Output Type".
7. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.

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

Further formatting Options - Series Report Tool

To calculate Percent Change: Supported browsers -
	Windows			Mac

Calculates and displays percent change for a series for selected discrete periods.

1. After you retrieve the data,
2. Click the More Formatting options link at the top on the right-hand side of the data screen.
3. Select a format option for which to view the data, e.g., Table format.
4. Select your Percent Change option(s), e.g., 1 Month Percent Change.
5. Select a time frame option under "Select the time frame for your data".
6. Select one of the listed options, e.g., HTML, under "Output Type".
7. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.

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

Further formatting Options - Series Report Tool

To copy BLS data tables to an Excel worksheet: Supported browsers -
	Windows		Mac

1. After you retrieve the data,
2. Click the More Formatting options link at the top on the right-hand side of the data screen.
3. Select Column Format under Select view of data, and then select your time frame.
4. Select HTML table under Output Type. (Note: Mac Safari users select Text and Tab Delimited)
5. Click the "Retrieve Data" button.
6. Highlight and Copy the data you have just retrieved.
7. Open a blank workbook in Excel.
8. Paste your data into the spreadsheet and save the file.

 

Last Modified Date: July 19, 2008