In-depth practical guides

Read missing values and statistical flags

Separate zero, absence, confidential, estimated and provisional values before calculations and charts.

Updated :

Can an empty cell be treated as zero?

An observation includes a value and its status. Codes vary across producers and files; a letter has no universal meaning. Keep the table’s notes.

  1. Read the exact legend

    Find the code list and structure version. Keep value, status, unit and note in separate fields.

  2. Classify absences

    Separate not collected, not applicable, unpublished, confidential and extraction errors. Preserve an unknown cause when undocumented.

  3. Define the calculation

    State expected population and usable observations. Never silently replace missing with zero; explain exclusions and imputations.

  4. Show coverage

    Publish available counts alongside the result. Retain estimated and provisional flags; show a missing chart point differently from zero.

Situations and decisions

Typical situations for preparing a check. They do not describe completed assignments or actual observations.

Incomplete mean

Example: 10, 20 and one missing value average 15 over two available observations. A three-observation mean requires an additional assumption.

Confidentiality

A suppressed cell does not mean no activity. Do not reconstruct it by subtraction to bypass disclosure protection.

Record to retain

  • File, release and flag legend.
  • Raw values, codes and known causes.
  • Expected and usable counts.
  • Exclusion, imputation and rounding rules.

Official references

Related source profiles

Related protocols

Checks before reaching a conclusion

  • Are zero and missing distinct?
  • Does the legend match this file?
  • Is the denominator shown?
  • Do flags survive export?

Frequently asked questions

Should incomplete rows be removed?

Some rows remain usable for other variables. Document rules by variable and measure lost coverage.

Is provisional data false?

The flag indicates possible revision, not established falsity. Cite the release and check revisions before comparing.

TOOLS / REGISTERS

Write a record

Publish available counts alongside the result. Retain estimated and provisional flags; show a missing chart point differently from zero.

  • Access date and time zone
  • Exact URL
  • Dataset / series code
  • Exact column name
  • Unit / calculation basis
  • Missing values and nullability
  • Observed status
  • Sample / population
  • Method / definition
  • Version / revision
  • Limit / uncertainty
  • Decision / next action
  • Review owner
  • Next review
Write an observationDownload CSV template