Here's what to do with your EA Data

Updated

You have received access to your licensed EA data on the SFTP.

If you do not have SFTP credentials, contact Support.

Data from the SFTP

Here’s what to do first

  1. Download the database file(s) from the Licensed Data folder. Data are most commonly provided in the following formats:

    File Format Details
    Format Description File and column limits
    CSV Comma Separated Values Max 255 columns per file
    PSV Pipe Separated Values Max 255 columns per file & file size limit of 2 GB
    YXDB Alteryx Max 255 columns per file

    Be sure to download the Documentation folder and the Geographic Hierarchy File from the Licensed Data folder.

Here’s what to do next

  1. Understand how geographic levels nest by reviewing the Canadian Geography lesson to better understand the relationship between Postal and Census geography.

All EA databases are reported at specific levels of geography.

Geography acronyms and codes are used in all EA databases. Get to know the code for the level of geography you will be querying. The Geographic Hierarchy file is provided with each data license delivery and provides the English and French common names for coded census geographies. Watch the Geographic Hierarchy File video to understand the interrelationship of census geographic levels.

EA databases are delivered at the smallest level of Census geography (Dissemination Area: PRCDDA) or the smallest level of Postal geography (Postal Code: FSALDU Forward Sortation Area Local Delivery Unit). Querying the data at the appropriate level of geography is crucial to using the data properly.

Want to know more about how the Geographic Hierarchy File is structured? Watch the Data File Structure - Geographic Databases video.
  1. Familiarize yourself with the Data you license through our Data Knowledge Base. These pages provide a thorough review of the contents of the databases, from how the data are created to sample business questions the data can help answer.

  2. Recognize the modelling techniques used to create the databases. The Technical Documents available in the Documentation folder describe how the data are compiled. Read our General Technical Document.

  3. Using the Metadata document, take note and be aware of the variable hierarchy and root formula of variables to prevent double counting or miscalculation of percentages and Index values. Identify the base universe (e.g. Total Households, Household Population 14+) appropriate for the variables you are querying. Learn more about how to use the Metadata file.

You can now move on to 2 - Data Documentation