INTRODUCTION
This information paper provides an outline of the format changes to be made to the Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0) AusStats Time Series Spreadsheets from December quarter 2004, released 3 June 2005. This paper also provides 'mock-ups' of the new file format.
PRESENTING TIME SERIES IN EXCEL FORMAT
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has introduced a new method of presenting time series data to the AusStats service. From the December quarter 2004 issue of Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0), released 3 June 2005, the AusStats Time Series Spreadsheets will be presented in Excel format (.xls). This will replace the AusStats Time Series Spreadsheets that are currently provided in Lotus 1-2-3 (.WKS).
The Excel spreadsheets offer clearer presentation, simpler data navigation and retrieval, and enhanced metadata content over the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets. The new format files can be opened, read and manipulated using Excel 5.0/95 (or equivalent), however, some features will not be available unless you have Excel 97 (or a later version).
In addition to the file format change, the presentation of the data will also change. For instance, time periods will be presented in the rows and data items in the columns.
For 'mock-ups' of the new format Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0) AusStats Time Series Spreadsheets, please refer to this information paper's associated Time Series Spreadsheets.
For further information contact Chrissy Beruldsen on (02) 6252 5640 or by email c.beruldsen@abs.gov.au.
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