System Overview

The GFS Online system was developed based on the GFS CD-ROM Browser product, and many of the functions are quite similar. The GFS Online provides subscribers with the same data coverage as the GFS Browser product. The GFS database contains statistical data on government financial operations for Fund member governments.

The Country Table and Economic Concept Views are available as selection options. The Economic Concept View provides similar concepts across countries.

Capabilities of GFS Online

GFS Online includes capabilities for the following:

• browsing the directory tree,
• drilling down through the structure of the database,
• selecting either individual time series or groupings of time series within a table presentation,
• saving selected data and metadata in a variety of formats, including a spreadsheet
• and saving and loading a query of selected time series.

Browsing the GFS Directory Tree

The GFS directory tree is browsed using an expanding tree mechanism. Initially, only the first level of the directory hierarchy is displayed. Each item at this level is represented with a file folder. Any item within this level can be further expanded by double clicking it, which will cause the next level of the tree for this item to be displayed beneath it, and so on, for each level in the tree.

The database icon signifies either a cross-country grouping of series or a grouping in a standard presentation that may be selected, and combined with series from another grouping. Clicking on such an entry will cause a selection box to the right of the tree display to be filled with a list of time series, from which individual time series or groups of series may be selected. To select more than one country and/or series you can, in certain instances, hold down the Control (CTRL) key and move up and down with your directional keys or mouse to select additional items.

Changing the Period Setting

To change the frequency or period of data observations that are to be retrieved, click on the Retrieval Period Change button in the upper left corner under the Browser button. The dialog box that appears contains fields for single or multiple frequency settings. Note that GFS data is only available at annual frequency. Adjust the start and end periods accordingly.

Retrieving Series

Retrieving Individual Series

Once the desired economic concepts and/or countries have been highlighted in the far right selection box, the individual series may be selected (illustrated examples of this procedure follow later in this document) by following these steps:

1. First, if you are using the Country Tables view, click on the Continue button, or if you are using the Economic Concept view, click on the View/Select Available Items button;
2. Click on the Check All button to select all available items, or click each of the desired items individually;
3. Click on the Add button (which appears as a plus (+) sign).

This will cause the selected series and associated metadata to be added to the Currently Selected Series Box (viewable by clicking on the magnifying glass symbol at the top right of the screen). These series may be combined with series from another entry in the tree directory, by making selections and following the three steps outlined above. Once all the desired series have been selected and placed in the Currently Selected Series Box, any unwanted series may be deleted, by clicking on the minus (-) sign. 

Output the series by clicking on the Retrieve button located to the right of “Series” and selecting an output format. Click on the Retrieve button again. This will create a file  in accordance with the options that are set on the Options button, including requested metadata fields and data values for all periods for which data are found in the underlying database. If a series does not exist at all within the underlying database, then a blank row will appear.

Retrieving an Entire Table

Once you have expanded the directory tree of the Country Table view, the “Selection Table” Retrieve button is shown in blue (indicating it is available). Clicking on this button will cause an entire table to be selected. This does not mean that all concepts listed in the table exist for every country. When a table is retrieved, there may be rows for which only the time series code and table descriptor exist; this means that the time series does not exist for the country selected.

Country Tables

The Country Tables of the Government Finance Statistics (GFS) provide access to time series for a particular country through a collection of tables. Not all tables exist for all countries and generally the contents of any particular table differ from country to country. This Country Table selection supports the retrieval of either the entire table or selected series from the table.

To retrieve results for the Country Tables, see the example below.

First, choose the country of interest. In this example we have chosen Argentina. After you have selected the country, simply click Continue.

You will then have an opportunity to check off which series codes and subjects you wish to obtain information about, or click the Check All button to select all items as shown in the example below.

Use the Add Series icon (+), shown above, to add all checked series to the selected series list, whether you wish to choose only specific series or all series.

After you confirm the Currently Selected Series as displayed in the pop-up window, simply close the window.

Now you are able to create output files with the selected series by clicking on the blue Retrieve button on the far right portion of the Online screen.  When that button is used you will then have the option to choose what Output Format you desire. You may choose as many formats as you would like. You also can name the file using the Description field noted below the Output Format options.  Since this system is real-time and each report is dynamic, please be patient for the few seconds it takes the system to display your results.  Some formats will display faster than others, such as Excel.  An example of this screen can be found below following the explanation of Output Formats.

Output Formats

The output formats available in GFS Online include Comma Separated Value File (CSV), Microsoft Excel File, HTML File, and TAB Delimited File. These formats allow for a table structure similar to that of the GFS Browser on CD-ROM product. The structure is based on the browser interface selections and options, and is displayed using the chosen file format listed above. The metadata items precede the time series observations and are based on the defaults plus any additional metadata fields specified from the Options button. When a table is retrieved, there may be rows for which only the time series code and table descriptor exist; this means that the time series does not exist for the country selected.

After selecting the appropriate Output Format, naming the files and choosing to Save or Remove the files, select the blue Retrieve button on the far right side of the Browse screen.  The results will appear as displayed below.

Retrieval Options

A number of options are available to control the selection of data. To access any of the following options, click on the Options button as shown below.

CONSTRAINTS: Constraining the Display of the Directory Tree

The presentation of the GFS directory tree can be limited to specific countries by setting constraints on the Options button. This option is set by clicking on the Options button, selecting Constraints, then selecting one or more of the countries listed in the Restrict By Country box, and then clicking on the Save button. This will cause the current constraints to appear in the box directly below the Constraints box. If the constraints do not fit within the visible portion of the box, then a vertical scroll bar will appear at the right of the box to enable viewing of the constraints. All constraints may be removed by clicking on the Delete button. Setting Constraints can be a useful way of narrowing in on the data that is desired for one or more countries.

METADATA

Metadata is information about a time series contained in separate fields that are mapped to fields in the underlying database. These fields, which may be selected for inclusion in the output file, are described in the table below.

Field Name	Description
Begin Period	The first year for which the series exists in the source database. If blank, then the series does not exist.
End Period	The last year for which the series exists in the source database. If blank, then the series does not exist.
Update Date	The date the series was last updated in the source database.
Base Year	The base year for an indexed series, stored as a four-digit year.
Country	The country or country group associated with a series. The country is either derived from the country code contained within the series code or provided when the source database is registered.
Country Code	The three-digit numeric country code associated with a series.
Data Source	The source database for a series.
Data Type	Indicates whether the data is observed as "Average", "Flow", "Stock" or "Unknown" data.
Descriptor	A textual description or label for the series. If the English Descriptor in the database is blank, the national descriptor is used instead.
Fiscal Year End	Three-character month abbreviation indicating the month in which fiscal year data end.
National Descriptor	The descriptor for the series in the national or official language of the country.
Partner Country	The partner country associated with a series, applicable for direction of trade data and to denote claims or liabilities on partner countries.

SCALE: Scaling Observation Values

Clicking on the Options button and selecting the desired choice within the Scale Options box may adjust the scaling of observations to be retrieved in the spreadsheet. This allows data values retrieved to be stored and displayed with a common magnitude, e.g., units, thousands, millions, billions or trillions. The value of the Scale metadata field is also changed accordingly, to match the scale in which the data are actually stored and presented within the spreadsheet. No scaling is applied to the observation values of series that are identified as index numbers, growth rates, percent changes, etc. If no scale option is specified in the Scale Options box, then by default, the magnitude of the series as specified in the underlying GFS database will generally determine the scaling that is applied to the observation values.

ORIENTATION / GROUPING: Selecting and Creating Output Orientation and Grouping Options

Wherever multiple countries or concepts may be selected, you can control the order in which they appear in the output file, i.e., sorted by Country or by Concept, with data going across the columns or down the rows.  Click on the Options button and select Output Orientation and Grouping Options.  Make the appropriate selections based on your requirements and then be sure to click Save.

RESTORE TO SYSTEM DEFAULT SETTINGS and SAVE SETTINGS FOR FUTURE SESSIONS

To automatically retain all changes to option and retrieval period settings in future sessions, click on the Options button and then check the Save Settings for Future Sessions button on the bottom right of the screen.  This process will also automatically save your Retrieval Period Settings.  To restore the default option and retrieval period settings, click on the Restore to System Default Settings button on the bottom left of the Options screen.

Search

Searching GFS Database Using Time Series Codes

To Search the GFS database using time series codes (time series names),

• Click on the Search button
• Enter the desired country, reporting basis, government sector, reference code and/or classification code from the drop-down lists
• Click on the Search button on the bottom to return a list of time series matching wildcard specification
• Select the desired series within the list of found series
• Click on Add (+) to add the series to the Currently Selected Series box.
• Click on the Retrieve button

Downloads, Help, and Show Selected Series Icons

By selecting the Recent Downloads Icon in the far right corner of the Browse screen, the user is able to see a list of the data recently retrieved using this program. Below is a screen that identifies where to locate the Icon.

The Online Help Icon is located to the right of the Recent Download icon on the far right of the Browse screen. And, as you have found, this provides the user with Help on the GFS Online system. If further assistance is desired, please send an email to statisticsquery@imf.org.

By selecting the “Show Selected Series” button, which is the magnifying glass shown below, you can verify what Series you have chosen for your output. This item is always visible.

When you choose that Icon the following screen will appear. You may delete any items or add any items at any time during your session.

Naming Conventions for GFS Time Series

The following describes the meaning of the eleven-character GFS time series codes, as an aid to locating data. GFS time series codes provide information about the time series that supplements the text descriptors.

Illustration of an GFS time series code:

Example GF_193_aA_BA_11

GF	Domain Identifier (Government Finance)
193	Country Code (Australia)
a	Data Type (Accrual)
A	Level of Formula Indicator (Raw-bit data in GFS Statements 1 and 2)
BA	Institutional Sector (Budgetary)
11	GFS Classification Code (Taxes)

Legend of Possible Values:

GF	The same for each cell
Country Code	111 (USA) – 926 (Ukraine)
Data Type	a=Accrual
	c=Cash
Institutional Sector	BA=Budget Sector
	EB=Extrabudgetary Sector
	SS=Social Security Sector
	CC=Consolidation of Central government
	CG=Consolidated central government
	SG=State/Provincial Governments Sector
	LG=Local Governments Sector
	SL=Combined State/Provincial/Local Governments Sector
	CT=Consolidation of General government
	GG=Consolidated General Government Sector
Level of Formula Indicator:	A=Raw-bit data in GFS Statements 1 and 2
	B=Raw-bit data in GFS Tables 1-8
	C=Calculated total
	Z=Adjustment line

Additional Helpful Hints and Information

Deleting Series

To delete an individual series from the Currently Selected Series box, click on the minus symbol.

Economic Concept View

The Economic Concept View allows the retrieval of similar concepts across a number of countries, to the extent that they exist.

Not All Requested Data are Retrieved

If some of the data that was requested are not retrieved within the spreadsheet, check the Period Setting. It may be that the requested series in the database does not exist for the requested period.