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Data Atlas - Frequently Asked Questions
1. General
What kind of information is included?Where does the information come from?
Do I need to register?
What level (geographical) is the information available to?
How up to date is the data?
2. Tables
Can I select the data shown in the table?Can I select the areas shown in the table?
How do I download the table I've created?
How do I download all the data in the dataview?
3. Atlas
How do I select the region I am interested in?Can I copy and paste a map/chart from an atlas?
Can I print the atlas?
The data is displayed in quintiles - can I change this display?
How do I find out more information on an indicator?
When viewing maps or tables, how do I go back to the data selector?
What does "count" mean in the table?
What does the background mapping do?
I have clicked on background mapping, but nothing happens. Why?
Can I download data from an atlas or do I need to go back to the table?
For more guidance on using the Data Atlas go to Help If you need further information or would like to find out about training opportunities, contact us using the Feedback form
1. General
What kind of information is included?
Data on the atlas is organised in a number of themes:
- Demography (eg, current population, population projections, deprivation)
- Pregnancy and early years (eg, teenage pregnancy, infant mortality, low birthweight, breastfeeding)
- School aged children (eg immunisations, educational qualifications)
- Young people (eg hospital admissions, road casualties)
- Children with acute or additional health needs (eg hospital admissions for various conditions)
- National indicator datasets
Where does the information come from?
The data is from a number of published sources including the Office for National Statistics, The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care, Hospital Episode Statistics, the Department of Health and the Department for Children, School and Families.
To find out the source data for a specific indicator, click on the 'metadata' button. This gives details of how the indicator is calculated, the source of the data and links to further information that is useful for understanding the data.
Do I need to register?
No, you can use the site without registering.
However, you can choose to register for increased functionality in the 'advanced data selector' (also known as 'custom maps and data') - which enables you to save custom selections to your profile.
What level (geographical) is the information available to?
Depending on the source, data is available at PCT, Local Authority, Top Tier Local Authority or NHS Trust.
How up to date is the data?
ChiMat aims to update data as soon as it is publicly available. The latest updates are listed in the 'latest updates' section of the ChiMat data atlas site.
2. Tables
Can I select the data shown in the table?
Using the drop down menus at the top of the table, additional indicators and/or years can be added to the table.
Can I select the areas shown in the table?
Yes, you need to select the 'advanced data selector' option to be able to select your own areas. You can choose to register for increased functionality in the advanced atlas which enables you to save custom selections to your profile.
How do I download the table I've created?
By clicking on the 'save table view as CSV' icon the data will be exported to an Excel file. 
How do I download all the data in the dataview?
By clicking on the 'save data view as CSV' icon, all the data will be exported to an Excel file regardless of whether they appear in the table on screen.
3. Atlas
How do I select the region I am interested in?
By clicking on the filter button located at the top of the page you can select the region of interest. For PCTs, Strategic Health Authority is used as the filter. For Local Authorities, Government Office Region is used as the filter.
Can I copy and paste a map/chart from an atlas?
Yes, to do this you need to:
- Press the 'PrtScn' button on the keyboard, this will take a snapshot of the screen.
- Paste this screen shot into word. This will show an image of the whole screen, ie the start button and tabs at the bottom of the screen will also be included.
- To edit the image in order to show only the map, double click on the image and 'crop' the picture
Can I print the atlas?
Yes, the atlas can be printed by clicking the print button on the atlas page.
The data is displayed in quintiles - can I change this display?
Yes, this is done by clicking the legend button. This gives you the option to change to equal intervals, increase or decrease the number of groups, use natural or continous breaks. From this menu you can also change the colour scheme used in the maps.
How do I find out more information on an indicator?
Information about an indicator is available by clicking the 'metadata' button. 
This gives details of how the indicator is calculated, the source of the data and links to further information that is useful for understanding the data.
When viewing maps or tables, how do I go back to the data selector?
Clicking on the 'data view page' button will take you back to the data selector.
What does "count" mean in the table?
Count is the numerator used to calculate the indicator. For example, Infant mortality Count = number of deaths.
What does the background mapping do?
Background mapping shows the map in detail (eg city and town names) when the user zooms in.
I have clicked on background mapping, but nothing happens. Why?
The background mapping only appears on the atlas when you are zoomed in close enough. This is because the atlas would be loading too much information at a higher scale and slow down the use of the tool.
Can I download data from an atlas or do I need to go back to the table?
Yes, the data can be downloaded direct from the atlas page by clicking the 'download data' button. This will download all the data that is loaded into the selected atlas and not just the data that is shown in the map at the time.
