data.census.gov Release Notes April 20, 2021 data.census.gov Release Notes Table of Contents data.census.gov Release Notes ..................................................................................................... 1 Purpose........................................................................................................................................... 3 Latest Updates ............................................................................................................................... 3 Features .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Single Search Bar ................................................................................................... 5 Advanced Search .................................................................................................... 5 Geography Filters ................................................................................................... 6 Navigation .............................................................................................................. 6 Tables ...................................................................................................................... 7 Download, Export, Copy/Paste, and Print .............................................................. 7 Save Your Search and Results ................................................................................ 8 Mapping .................................................................................................................. 8 Geography Profiles ................................................................................................. 9 Other Features ......................................................................................................... 9 Known Limitations and Defects ................................................................................................ 10 Microdata Access ........................................................................................................................ 11 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ........................................................................................ 13 Appendix 1: List of Available Summary Levels ...................................................................... 16 Appendix 2: List of Available Geography Collections ............................................................ 26 2 data.census.gov Release Notes Purpose The purpose of this document is to summarize functionality included in the release of the Census Bureau’s developing data dissemination platform at data.census.gov. Latest Updates In mid-April, we released the following updates to the site: • New mapping functionality allows you to search within the data variable drop-down menu as an alternative to scrolling through a long list of complex variable labels. • Maps of economic data – For the first time, data.census.gov now supports the ability to map data from economic surveys and programs. This is made possible by the addition of new drop- down menus at the top of the maps that allow you to fully specify the desired data value. These new drop-down menus are for non-key dimensions such as NAICS or tax status code. • Ability to generate links to filtered views of economic tables when applying custom filters1 to selected columns in the table display. Previously, users could only link to filtered views of these tables by adding non-key dimensions manually in the URL. Learn more about how non-key dimensions appear in the URL in the FAQ: How do I save my results or search?2 • Removed misleading data year labels at the top of Business Dynamics Statistics tables. This update helps clarify that these tables are from a timeseries dataset that provides data for all available years in one table view. 1 https://ask.census.gov/prweb/PRServletCustom?pyActivity=pyMobileSnapStart&ArticleID=KCP-5939 2 https://ask.census.gov/prweb/PRServletCustom?pyActivity=pyMobileSnapStart&ArticleID=KCP-5509 3 data.census.gov Release Notes • 126 defect resolutions, including fixes that allow you to: o View data for your selected “in-combination” race groups o Deselect geographies by clicking on them in the selection map o Export tables to Excel that reflect the customizations you made in the table display o Download tables in the correct file format in Firefox o Download the correct decennial census table in instances where different datasets share the same table ID o Navigate to “Search,” “Close,” and “Clear Geographies” buttons even after selecting a large number of geographies o See notifications in the Microdata Access when geography vintages have changed over time and may not be comparable between data years o Switch seamlessly between tables and maps in a single click without encountering a non-responsive navigation bug o Encounter fewer issues when using the browser’s back button within data.census.gov (please use the navigation options within data.census.gov3 for best performance) o Experience a more accessible site as we continue work towards compliance with Section 508 standards In early February, we released the following updates to the site: • New styling for exported tables. The output now includes the Census Bureau logo and universe statement. To make it easier to print the table from Excel, the table data and notes have been separated into two different worksheets. • Enhanced search in the “pages” section of data.census.gov. You will now see improved relevancy and descriptions of search results. • 30 defect resolutions, including a fix where links to saved searches show the first table result automatically without requiring you to click on the table. Fixes also help you more accurately specify desired geographies using the geography filters and single search bar. In early-January 2021, we fixed two Microdata Access defects: • MDAT - ACS 1-Year and 5-Year Estimates - variables not displaying when filtering by topic (all years prior to 2018). • Showing the duplicate column value if having two different geographic levels in same table. In mid-November 2020, we released the following updates to the site: • A larger “Export” button that is more visible in the customize table ribbon. • New messaging when you use an unsupported browser. See the list of supported browsers. • Clickable map widgets allow you to interact with the maps in more places to see geography names and data values. • New unstructured search powering your results in the “Pages” section of data.census.gov. We are working to add relevancy improvements in future releases. 3 https://ask.census.gov/prweb/PRServletCustom?pyActivity=pyMobileSnapStart&ArticleID=KCP-5936 4 data.census.gov Release Notes • 16 defect resolutions, including a fix to ensure downloads provide data for your selected vintage. Features Current features on data.census.gov include: Single Search Bar Unified Search: The single search bar allows you to type free form text and supports searches by: • Topic • Geography (nation, state, city/town, and zip code/zip code tabulation area) • Table name • Table ID (single or multiple table IDs) • North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code Other features of single search include: • Entity extraction: Allows you to search multiple filters at once (example: a search for ‘population Maryland Virginia’ sets filters for ‘population total,’ ‘Maryland,’ and ‘Virginia.’) • Typeahead search suggestions: As you type into the single search bar, a box will appear with search suggestions that update in real time • Spelling corrections, related search suggestions, and relevancy rules are applied to the free form text you enter in the search bar Advanced Search Free Form Search Box: The free form search bar directly under the advanced search heading allows you to search by keyword or table ID. You can even enter multiple table IDs at a time. Filters: Browse filters to find check boxes that allow you to select your desired: • Topic • Geography • Year • Survey • Code (industry, commodity, material/fuel, or product and service codes) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) are included in the code filters. The site supports options to select collections of codes in bulk. 5 data.census.gov Release Notes The topics filters allow you to select detailed race, ethnicity, ancestry, and country of birth population groups. These filters include check boxes that allow you to select collections of population groups in a single click (example: “All available tribes” or “All available ancestries”). “Find a Filter” Search Box: The second search box that says “Find a Filter” allows you to select pre- defined search options to quickly choose your topic, geography, year, survey, or code without clicking through the filter panel. You must input an exact text match in order to find a filter and you must click the box for the desired filter in order to select it. Geography Filters Summary Levels: The geography filters provide comprehensive access to nearly 250 geographic summary levels, listed in Appendix 1. Dual Pathways to Select Your Geography: The filters offer two methods to select your geography 1) By default the site provides a collapsed list of common geographic levels to help you easily get to the most popular geographies. You can access more complex geographies by drilling into “Within other geographies” or by clicking the Show Geographic Components Toggle. 2) The site allows