Download English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) Filtered Records Step-by-Step
katenord
20 steps
6 minutes
Nhsbsa
This guide explains how to use the NHSBSA Open Data Portal's filters to refine datasets by fields such as medication name, prescribing organisation, or time period. Filters can be selected from dropdown menus or entered manually, saving time when dealing with long lists. After applying all necessary filters, click **"Data Explorer Options"** and select **"Download Filtered Records"**—avoiding the green **"Download"** button at the top. For more details, continue reading or contact [[\[DataServicesSupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk]]\](mailto:DataServicesSupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk) for assistance.
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Navigate to [https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/#home-page](https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/#home-page)
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Click "Community Prescribing & Dispensing"
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Click "English Prescribing Dataset (EPD)"
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Click "English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) - For your required time period"
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Click "Add Filter"
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Click the drop-down menu.
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Scroll to view selectable options in the field drop-down menu or start typing in the text box to return any matching results.
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Click the drop-down menu for your selected field to start applying those filters in the same way as we just mentioned; scrolling through the list or free-typing to return matches.
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Choose your value filter for the field.
By applying this one filter, the number of records has dropped significantly—18 million to 743k. This allows the dataset to be opened and worked with in database programs like Microsoft Excel.
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You can add multiple filters to further reduce the file size and narrow down to what you need. \ \ Click to 'Add' another filter and repeat steps 8 & 9.
Tip! You can 'free-type' or 'select' your chosen value from the drop-down list
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Free-typing shown in action:
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Type "NHS NORTH"
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Any partial or exact matches are returned.
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Choose your value to filter this field on.
Tip! You can apply more than one value to any filtered field.
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Select the drop down arrow on the next box along
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Click this text field.
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Download the filtered data
Clicking the green "Download" button found to the left of the Data API button is not the correct way to download filtered records.
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To download filtered records successfully, click "Data Explorer options"
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Click "Download filtered records"
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"Extracting" means the file is being successfully downloaded to your device - make sure to look out for any blocked pop-ups. Otherwise, the filtered data file should be in your downloads or wherever is your default location for such files to be saved to on your device.
