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Working with tables

Tutorial transcript 3

Welcome to the TableBuilder Tutorial Series - Module 3 - Working with Tables. In this tutorial, I'll teach you how to create, customise and save a table in TableBuilder.

Once you've logged into TableBuilder and chosen a database, you'll see the Table View screen. It's from this screen that you can create, customise and save a table.

For this example, we are going to create a small table of States of Australia. We are also going to add males and females to the table.

To start, simply select the geographical areas toggle to expand the geographical areas variable items available. The right pointing toggle indicates further options available by selecting the toggle. Once toggle expanded, it will become downward pointing. In this example, we selected the toggle of “Main ASGC” to open up further options available under the Main ASGC structure, which are the states. There are a couple of ways of choosing States. You can select them by selecting the checkbox individually to add to your table. Or, if you're choosing an entire geography, simply expand the right pointing toggle at the end of the geography name (Main ASGC (9) to open up the “Select all at level” drop down box. Then choose “State level”.

We then want to add that to the row by selecting the “Add to Row” button. A table is now displayed on the right. This table now has State and Territory as row variables, and Persons Place of Usual Residence as column variable.

We can now add our variable male and female, by selecting the right pointing toggles of Person Variables, then the right pointing toggles of the People Characteristics, then the right pointing toggle at the end of (SEXP Sex (2)) to expand the “Select all at level” drop down box, then choosing the sex variable SEXP. Add that to the column by selecting “Add to Column” button. Your table is updated with Male, Female and Total as column variables and it is now starting to take shape.

To retrieve your data, simply select the 'Retrieve Data' button at the top of the table display panel. Once your data is retrieved, there are several things you can do with your table.

Firstly though, note the cell count just above the table. It tells us that our current table consists of 30 cells, made up from 3 columns and 10 rows. This is important because in TableBuilder, if you create a table of over 5,000 cells, you enter large table mode. There is another module and training exercise on that later in the series.

So with our table, we can sort the data by selecting either the up arrow button or the down arrow button next to the table variable which requires sorting. We can turn table totals off and back on again by selecting the summation button available close to the table variable. If you prefer to view the codes instead of the labels, simply select the 'c' button close to the table variable.

You can also drag and drop either whole classifications (i.e. person variable SEXP) or geographies (i.e. geographical areas variable State/Territory) into the recycling bin.

With your table you can also display your table data as a percentage by selecting either column, row, or total from the percentage drop down box at the top of the table.

You can save your table for use later on. Selection of the floppy disk button will open up a new “Save Table” dialogue box. Enter the name of your table (e.g. states in Australia) then select “Save Table” button will save your table. The “Save Table” dialogue box disappears and returns you to the Table View screen. At the top of the table display panel will display the message “You table has successfully been saved into the My Tables areas” if the table is saved successfully. Your saved table can be accessed via the 'My Tables' link.

You can also download your table in a variety of formats - From Excel 2003 to CSV and SDMX. Navigate to the top right corner to locate the “Download Table” drop down box. Select the downward pointing arrow to expand the drop down menu. Select the format you prefer then select “Go” button.

You'll notice at the bottom of your table are annotations. They are specific to the table that you've created. So if there's a particular annotation needed for the table you've created, it will appear at the bottom of the table.

That ends this Module - Working with Tables.

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