In a nutshell, the BIS statistical data application offers users the tools to:
- customise queries according to any dataset dimensions
- download data in CSV, Excel or SDMX-ML format
- bookmark queries in a browser
- create a URL of favourite queries, for use in custom applications
- view relevant metadata at a click
- quickly view or download pre-packaged sets of selected data
- avoid empty result sets or columns with the help of dynamic filtering
- choose to display dimensions on either X or Y axes
- access specific dataset dimensions using shorter predefined URLs
Advanced options - Downloads, Bookmarking, Query URLs & Short URLs Terms and conditions
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Basic layout
The application is split into three windows, which appear beneath the standard BIS website navigation. These windows are the Catalogue, Query Window and Results Window.
The size of these windows can be controlled by clicking on and dragging the borders between them, or by using the docking button provided for each window. Clicking the docking button hides the window from view.
Each window has its own help page, which describes in more detail how to use the features available in the window. These help pages can be accessed by clicking on the relevant window's help icon - indicated by a question mark in the window's top-right hand corner.
Getting Started - the quick way
If you are in a hurry, or are not sure how to start creating your own customised query, each dataset will have one or more "Quick View" pre-packaged queries, accessible via the Catalogue. Clicking on a "Quick View" query immediately loads the corresponding data in the Results Window. In addition, the Query Window is pre-filled with the selected values that generate the data. The selections in the Query Window can immediately be modified to produce desired changes in the results.
Right-clicking on a "Quick View" pre-packaged query also provides the option of immediately downloading the data.
Getting Started - creating your own query
- Find the dataset you are interested in and click "Create custom query"
- Now you can begin selecting codes (checkboxes) from the various dimensions in the Query Window. Initially, no codes are selected. This means that there are no filters applied on the dimensions, which in turn means that immediately running the query will return all data for the selected period.
- The Query Window provides hints on how to build a valid query, using "dynamic filtering". When a code (checkbox) is selected or de-selected, the application will calculate which codes would have no data if the query were run at that time. These codes appear greyed out in the Query Window. They can be selected, but there will be no data for them in the results. (More information on how this works, with examples, is in the Query Window's help page.)
- Clicking on the name of a dimension allows you to select codes from that dimension for display in the results. Each dimension bar displays at a glance how many codes are in the dimension, how many are currently available for selection (which depends on codes selected in other dimensions) and how many you have currently selected.
- Once all of the desired codes have been selected, the "Run Query" button can be clicked. The results of the query will appear in the Results Window.
- In addition, as a more advanced feature, you can choose to display dimensions on either X or Y axes, selecting sorting options and time ranges.
Advanced options - Downloads, Bookmarking, Query URLs & Short URLs
In addition to viewing results in the Results Window, there are other options available to users to view and interact with data. More detailed information on these options can be found in the Query Window's help page.
- Download: Data can be downloaded in CSV (comma-separated values), Excel or SDMX-ML format.
- Bookmark: There is no need to re-create queries each time you access the application. Frequently-run queries can be stored in your browser as a "favourite" or "bookmark" just like any other web page. Downloads can also be bookmarked.
- Query URLs: Like a bookmark, this option provides a URL that will return a download or results set on demand. In this case however, the URL can be copied and pasted into any application. For example, developers will be able to use these URLs to import automatically customised BIS data. Data could also be used in mashups and other innovative ways - wherever URLs can be used. (Please note: Data within the application change infrequently - at most, once per month. Please avoid creating applications that hit the BIS servers too frequently - it is both unnecessary, due to the infrequent data updates, and creates a load on the servers that impairs performance for other users.)
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Short URLs: The tool offers the option to get to specific datasets using a shorter predefined URLs. They allow the user to filter the data by providing additional parameters in the URL and additionally, it is possible to download the results in the supported formats (csv, excel, sdmx-ml-data and sdmx-ml-metadata). For example, to get the effective exchange rates data from the last 24 months in a csv format, the following Short URL can be used:
http://stats.bis.org/eer&obs=24&format=csv
The following table summarises the Short Urls and parameters supported (besidesformatandobs(observations) which are supported by all)Dataset Short URL Parameters Consolidated Banking Statistics - Immediate Risk Basis http://stats.bis.org/cbs-irco(reporting country)loc(counterparty location)Consolidated Banking Statistics - Ultimate Risk Basis http://stats.bis.org/cbs-urco(reporting country)loc(counterparty location)Locational Banking Statistics - By Residence http://stats.bis.org/lbs-rco(reporting country)loc(counterparty location)Locational Banking Statistics - By Nationality http://stats.bis.org/lbs-nloc(bank nationality)Effective Exchange Rates http://stats.bis.org/eerco(reference area)Credit to non-financial private sector http://stats.bis.org/credtoprivco(Borrowers' Country)
Note: If there are no filters provided in the url parameters, all the results will be returned. Also please note that the country parameter needs to be provided in ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 (2 letter code).
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions of use, copyright and permissions and disclaimers
Privacy policy
Need more help?
More detailed help is available in the Help page (click on the ? icon) in each window.
Contact us
For more information on BIS statistical data or this application, please email webmaster@bis.org
Feedback is also welcome, including suggestions for additional application features, or problems experienced when using the application.