Finding Data
In this example, we are using two main indicators for Japan's GDP and Industrial Production.
One easy way to find these data is to use the “Concept & Category” database, as it limits the amount of data available in the tree.
To find the series go to:
Concept & Category > National Accounts > National Sources > GDP > Constant Prices > By Frequency > Best Frequency
Locate and select:
- Japan, Gross Domestic Product, Total, Constant Prices, SA, AR, JPY
Add the series to a new document.
The industrial production data is located in:
Concept & Category > Production > National Sources > Industrial Production
Locate and select:
- Japan, Industrial Production, Production, Total, Production, Mining & Manufacturing, Constant Prices, SA, Index
Add it to the document you just created.
Data preparation
Frequency adjustment
The series added to the document have different original frequencies: the GDP data is quarterly while the Industrial production is reported monthly. To ensure that calculations are done in a consistent way, Macrobond will convert the data to a common frequency. To adjust the frequency:
- Go to “series list” in the analysis tree
- Locate the “Frequency” drop-down menu on the top
- Make sure Highest (Monthly) is selected for this example
The drop-down menu gives you several options when deciding on a frequency for the chart.
Frequency conversion
When working with series that have different frequencies, the first step is to decide which frequency you want to work with. The second step is to decide by which method you want the series to be converted to a higher or lower frequency.
- Select “series list” in the tree
- Go to the “Conversion settings” tab
- Locate the “To higher frequency conversion method” drop-down menu
- Pick Linear interpolation instead of Automatic
Analysis
Rate of change
- Select “Time chart” in the tree
- Click the “Insert” button
- Select Rate of Change
In the analysis tree, go to Rate of Change, and apply these settings for both series:
- “Method” is set to Change over period %
- “Length” is set to Year and specified to be 1 year
Charting
Alternate Scale
As the value-ranges for the two series differ in magnitude, you would probably need to add an additional Y-axis.
- Select “Time chart” in the tree
- Click on the graph line for the GDP in the chart
- Above the chart, open the “Presentation properties” tab
- Check the Use alternate scale tick-box
Synchronizing the scale of the axes
To align the zero-level of both axes, you have two options:
- Click on one vertical axis, and manually edit the range and step length in the Presentation Properties tab
- Click on one vertical axis, and use the Synchronize setting in the Presentation Properties tab
In the latter case, since the series have different scales, you want to select “Grid” to synchronize the axes.
Appearance
Finally, change the title in the chart by double-clicking on the text.