dX Software

dXtime

The dXtime desktop.

dXtime is a fully featured Windows application which allows you to work with multiple time series databases and enables instant access to time series data and graphs on your desktop.

dXtime offers:

comprehensive time series database support
a multi-level database series directory allowing easy navigation through large databases
instant access to data and graphs
custom graphics
time series calculations
easy export and import of data
the ability to automatically update user Workfiles
access to notes and other explanatory material on each database

In addition (and depending on version), dXtime users can also utilize:

the dXdata add-in for Microsoft Excel;
the dXupdate application for updating of official databases.

Database support

dXtime brings the full span of data for thousands of vital economic and financial time series into a single integrated environment.

dXtime makes access to time series databases simple and rapid.

In dX format, official databases provide the full span of data for tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of individual time series.
Typically, DX databases are stored locally on the user's computer or network.
As well as local databases, dXtime can also access official databases stored on remote web servers.
Any number of databases can be opened simultaneously within the dXtime application.
Official databases can include textual release and explanatory notes, alongside the actual time series data.
Using the separate dXupdate application, official databases can be kept up-to-date using updates automatically downloaded via the Internet.
Alternatively, local databases can be updated periodically via CD-ROM.

Database navigation with the Series Directory

The Series Directory supports a four-level hierarchy of database topics, sections, tables, and time series.

The multi-level Series Directory allows very large time series databases to be navigated with ease. It is powerful, yet simple to learn and easy to use. Where applicable, the layout matches official publications, and component parts can be instantly expanded (or collapsed) to display the database structure at the desired level of detail.

Other Series Directory features include:

display of time series metadata (descriptions, units, frequency, sample period, etc.);
the ability to select multiple (contiguous and non-contiguous) series;
"sticky" selections, using x-marks;
highlighting of which parts of the database have been updated recently;
for some databases, the ability to choose between alternative database layouts;
the ability to control which columns are displayed, and in what order;
easy switching between one-page and multi-page formats.

Instant access to data and graphics

Graph selected series with a single command and let dXtime add "smart" titles and legends.

The display of series with different frequencies presents no problem for dXtime.

Select one or more series in the Series Directory — including series with different frequencies — and then a single keystroke or mouse click displays a data table or graph.

dXtime's data tables and graphs are simple to generate, and optimized for time series data.

Any number of data tables and graphs can be simultaneously created and displayed for each database.
Data display is essentially instantaneous, no matter what the length of the time series being displayed.
By default, the full range of data is displayed. Use the convenient timeframe button to focus on sub-periods of the data.
The display of series with different frequencies is handled effectively and automatically.
Data tables may be transposed (from columns to rows and back again) with a single mouse click.
dXtime uses series metadata to automatically display data table headings.
For graphs, dXtime generates "smart" headings and series legends.
Date formats are automatically chosen, depending on the frequency of the selected series.
Graphs are automatically scaled to optimize use of available screen space, and date axis scales are automatically generated to reflect the underlying series frequency.
Data tables or graphs may be printed or copied to the clipboard.
Data tables and graphs may be "memorized" and stored in user Workfiles for later recall.

Custom graphics

Customize your graphs with multiple axes, gridlines, annotations, multiple panes and more.

Graphs may be customized in many ways:

Choose from a variety of graph types; line, bar, mixed line and bar, scatter plot and scatter plot matrix.
Assign series to left or right axes, and arrange graphs in multiple panes.
Edit axis titles and series legends as required.
Customize line styles, line and bar colors and series markers.
Select individual fonts for the various graph components.
Customize axis scales, tic marks, gridlines and colors.
Control the exact format of dates displayed on the time axis.
Annotate graphs with lines, arrows, boxes and captions.
Add recession bands.

Once you have a graph customized to your liking, you can then save it as a graph template which can then be applied to other graphs you create.

Time series calculations

The Smoothing command is just one of more than 20 commands available for performing time series calculations.

dXtime incorporates a wide range of time series operations, allowing new series to be generated with ease. You may find that you want to:

transform the frequency of a series, so that it matches that of other series with which you are working;
work with percentage changes (or growth rates) rather than with the original series data;
smooth the series data, for example, by calculating a moving average;
convert a series into an index, with a base value of 100 (or 1) in a time period you specify;
remove seasonal factors from a series;
work with the logarithm of the series observations;
lag a series by one or more time periods;
add series together, observation by observation;
scale a series, by multiplying it by a constant value.

dXtime allows you to perform all these manipulations, and many more.

Whenever dXtime generates a new series, it creates a series formula. This formula defines the way in which the new time series depends on other time series, just as a spreadsheet formula generates cell values based on the values of other cells. The series formula allows dXtime to re-generate the data observations for the new series whenever the "parent" series are updated.

Series formulas may be edited, and can also be created from scratch. dXtime has more than 70 time series functions that may be entered into series formulas to perform a range of useful time series tasks.

Exporting and importing data

The Export command support more than 30 different file formats.

dXtime offers a range of methods for exchanging data with other applications.

The Export command allows time series data to be written to a wide range of file formats, including spreadsheets, econometrics, statistical and interchange formats.
The clipboard can be used to copy series data and metadata, as well as graphs, to other applications.
dXtime allows you to use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to place copies of memorized graphs and data tables in other Windows applications and update them at a later time.
The dXdata add-in for Microsoft Excel can be used to access series from both official databases and Workfiles. Using the add-in, you can create dedicated Worksheets containing dX data within your Excel Workbooks. These Worksheets can be easily updated as your official databases and Workfiles are updated over time.
The Import command can be used to import time series data from spreadsheets and other Windows applications into dXtime.

Automatic updating

The Update Linked Series command allows you to update series stored in Workfiles to reflect the latest updates to official databases.

New time series observations are constantly being released and old ones are often being revised. Working with time series and trying to keep up-to-date data, calculations, graphs and reports can be a time consuming and tedious task.

dXtime removes this tedium by:

using Workfiles to maintain collections of time series from (any number of) official databases;
using Workfiles to also store derived (calculated) series and memorized graphs and data tables;
providing the Update Linked Series command to update series in Workfiles to reflect the latest updates to official databases;
providing the Recalculate command to update the data observations for calculated series;
providing the Regenerate command to update and recalculate all Workfile series in a single operation;
allowing Workfiles to be automatically updated (if desired) each time they are opened.

With dXtime, preparing your regular weekly or monthly report has never been easier. With each database release, your Workfiles can automatically update all series linked to the official database, recalculate any user-defined series, update data tables and re-draw graphs. Then using your regular report or presentation application (say, Microsoft Word or Excel), simply updating the links to dXtime will update graphs and data tables.

Don’t spend time collecting and re-generating your time series. Spend your time analyzing and writing about them.

Database notes

The embedded notes browser provides context-sensitive access to release and explanatory notes.

In addition to the time series data itself, dXtime also provides support for textual release and explanatory notes for official databases. This support includes:

an embedded HTML-based notes browser;
context-sensitive notes lookup (where applicable), allowing quick access to any notes pertaining to the topic or section currently selected in the Series Directory;
the ability to review all available notes for a database, and switch between them.

dXtime can display notes stored locally with the official database, as well as link to material on remote web sites. In the case of local storage, notes are available even without an Internet connection.

dXdata add-in

A dXdata Worksheet containing time series data extracted directly from a DX official database.

The dXdata add-in for Microsoft Excel allows easy access to DX time series data from within Excel. Using the add-in:

you can create dedicated Worksheets containing dX data within your Excel Workbooks;
Worksheets can extract data directly from official databases, or from Workfiles created with dXtime;
Worksheets can be easily updated as databases and Workfiles are updated over time;
contents of databases and Workfiles can be browsed (independently of dXtime) to select the series to be downloaded;
the span of data observation to be downloaded can be controlled.

dXupdate

Behind the scenes, dXupdate constantly checks for new database updates from the dX database provider. With each release, your copy of the database is automatically updated.

dXupdate is a separate application which is responsible for retrieving and applying updates to official databases located on your computer or network.

As new data are released, dXupdate ensures that you have the latest data available, including revisions and any new series that have been included, all matching the layout of the latest release.
dXupdate operates automatically — your data is always up-to-date with no need for any manual updating tasks.
dXupdate uses standard Internet protocols to retrieve database updates from database vendor web servers.
dXupdate does not interfere with operation of dXtime. Official databases can be accessed at all times, even when updates are being applied.