How do I set my cookie and browser settings?
- Why does AAD require "cookies" and JavaScript?
- What is a "cookie?"
- Do I need to enable certain browser settings to use this site?
- How can I turn "cookies" and JavaScript on?
How do I download a file?
- What is a Comma Delimited File (CSV)?
- How do I download and view my search results?
- How can I view, as a group, the full records retrieved in my search?
- How do I ensure that the downloaded values display properly in MS Excel?
Why does AAD require "cookies" and JavaScript?
At the most simple level, AAD requires the use of "session cookies" to remember details about your search process during your session. JavaScript is a programming language that is used to enhance the interactivity of web pages. Together, cookies and JavaScript allow AAD to present a more dynamic experience.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a method for maintaining information about users as they navigate through pages on a web site. There are two types of cookies, persistent cookies and session cookies. Federal regulations restrict the use of persistent cookies on government web sites. In accordance with federal regulations, AAD does not use persistent cookies.
- Persistent cookies are stored for a length of time set by the web site when it passes the cookie to the browser. Persistent cookies are used to store information in small data files on your hard drive between visits to a web site.
- Session cookies are used to store information only within a session on the web site. Session cookies are used only while a user is visiting the web site issuing the session cookie and are deleted when the user closes the session.
In compliance with federal web site regulations, AAD uses only session cookies which are deleted after the session is completed.
Do I need to enable certain browser settings to use this site?
AAD requires the use of "session cookies" and JavaScript to maintain your session and provide you with a feature-rich site. To achieve the best possible user experience when visiting our site, we recommend that you enable these settings.
How can I turn "cookies" and JavaScript on?
Follow the instructions specific to your system to turn on "cookies" and JavaScript.
To enable cookies:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 for Windows
- In the "Tools" menu, select "Internet Options."
- Click the "Privacy" tab.
- Make sure the privacy setting is no higher than "Medium," which is the default setting.
- Click "OK" to close the "Security Settings" window, and again to close the "Internet Options" window.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 for Macintosh
- In the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences."
- In the menu on the left, select "Receiving Files," then "Cookies."
- Under the "When receiving cookies" menu in the right panel, select any option except "Never ask;" otherwise, the level of cookie security is your decision.
- Click "OK" to close the Preferences window.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 for Windows
- In the "Tools" menu, select "Internet Options."
- Click the "Security" tab, then select the "Internet" zone from the top panel.
- Below it, click the "Custom Level" button.
- In the "Security Settings" window that opens, select "Cookies."
- Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" and "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable."
- Click "OK" to close the "Security Settings" window, and again to close the "Internet Options" window.
- Netscape 7 for Macintosh/Windows
- Choose "Edit" and "Preferences."
- Click the "Advanced" menu option in the left column and select "Scripts & Plugins."
- Make sure that Navigator is checked to enable JavaScript for Web pages.
- Click the "Privacy & Security" menu option in the left column and click "Cookies."
- Make sure that one of the three Enable options for cookies is checked.
- Netscape 6 for Macintosh/Windows
- Choose "Edit" and "Preferences."
- Click the "Advanced" menu option in the left column.
- Make sure the Enable JavaScript for Navigator option is checked.
- Click the "Privacy & Security" menu option in the left column.
- Make sure that "Enable all cookies" is checked.
- Netscape 4 for Macintosh/Windows
- Choose "Edit" and "Preferences" to manage your Internet settings.
- Click the "Advanced" menu option in the left column.
- Make sure the "Accept all cookies" and "Enable JavaScript" options are checked.
To enable JavaScript:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 & 6 for Windows
- In the "Tools" menu, select "Internet Options."
- Click the "Security" tab, then select the "Internet" zone from the top panel.
- Below it, click the "Custom Level" button.
- In the "Security Settings" window that opens, select "Scripting," then "Active Scripting." Make sure that the "Enable" button is marked.
- Click "OK" to close the "Security Settings" window, and again to close
the "Internet Options" window.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 for Macintosh
- In the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences."
- In the menu on the left, select "Web Browser," then "Web Content."
- In the panel on the right, make sure that the "Enable scripting" box is checked.
- Click "OK" to close the Preferences window.
- Netscape 7 for Macintosh/Windows
- In the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences."
- In the menu on the left, select "Advanced," then "Scripts & Plug-ins/Scripts & Windows."
- In the panel on the right, make sure that the "Enable JavaScript for Navigator" box is checked.
- Under the "Allow web pages to" list, make sure that every box is checked. You may need to restart Netscape.
- Click "OK" to close the Preferences window.
- Netscape 6 for Macintosh/Windows
- In the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences."
- In the menu on the left, select "Advanced."
- In the panel on the right, make sure that the "Enable JavaScript for Navigator" box is checked.
- Click "OK" to close the Preferences window.
- Netscape 4 for Macintosh/Windows
- In the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences."
- In the menu on the left, select "Advanced."
- In the panel on the right, make sure that the "Enable JavaScript" box is checked.
- Click "OK" to close the Preferences window.
What is a Comma Delimited File (CSV)?
AAD allows you to retrieve your search results in a comma-separated format. Comma separated files are sometimes known as comma delimited, comma separated value, or CSV files. This simply means that a comma separates the individual pieces of data so other programs can import the database and correctly handle it. Nearly every application designed to handle data, such as most spreadsheet and database applications, can import and display comma-separated files.
The best way to demonstrate a CSV file is to see a short example:
"Name","Address","City","State","Zip"
"Amanda Huggens","2736 Teresita","Carlsbad","CA","92008"
"Ivana Tanksley","15 Freely Dr.","Beverly Hills","CA","90210"
"Seymour Buchanon","311 Moonlight Way","Bozeman","MT","59715"
"Oliver Twistane","P.O. Box 4775","San Diego","CA","92123"
How do I download and view my search results?
If the records returned in your search total no more than 1,000 you may download your search results. If the records returned are greater than 1,000 and you want to download the results you will have to narrow your search. See If Your Results Produced Too Many Records.
To download the results click on the "Download Results" link located near the top of the results page. A window will pop up offering three selections for downloading your results:
Download Data With Meanings - When you use this option, the records you download will contain all data fields from the data file. The number of records will be equivalent to the number returned from your search, not the entire data file. In coded fields, the records will contain the meanings, rather than the codes. For cases in which the coded value has no meaning in the associated code list, the field in the record will contain "Undefined Code." For fields with the data type of date, the records will contain data in the format of MM/DD/YYYY, where MM is the value 01-12 representing the month, DD is the value 1-31 representing the day, and YYYY is the four digit year. In cases where the data does not properly convert to a date, the field in the record will contain "Invalid Date." For fields with the data type of number, numbers will be in a contemporary format. In cases where the data does not properly convert to a number, the field in the record will contain "Invalid Number." The downloaded records will be a comma separated value (CSV) file.
Download Data Without Meanings - When you use this option, the records you download will contain all data fields from the data file. The number of records will be equivalent to the number returned from your search, not the entire data file. For coded fields, the records will contain the codes without their meanings. (For meanings to codes, download the code lists. Some codes may not have known meanings and will therefore, not be included in the code lists). For fields with the data type of date or number, the dates or numbers will be in the format as entered by the agency. The downloaded records will be a comma separated value (CSV) file.
Download Codes - When you download codes from this page, you will be downloading the code, meaning, and comments for each coded value within a code list for all code lists associated with this data file. Each code list associated will be a comma separated value (CSV) file and all code lists files will be contained in a single zip file. If you download code lists from a specific Code List window, you will download only that code list, including its codes and their meanings, and any comments.
After selecting the link for your desired type of download, a file download dialog box will appear.
- Internet Explorer Users
Internet Explorer gives users the option either to "Open" the file from its current location or "Save" the file to your computer. Because of differences in computer processing speeds and/or differences in installed applications, we recommend that you "Save" the file to a location on your computer. Once you have saved the results file on your computer's hard drive, you can use it with any spreadsheet or database program that can open comma-delimited (e.g., csv or comma-separated variables) files. - Netscape Users
Netscape users may either open the file with an appropriate application or save the results file to a specific location, like to the computer's hard drive. Once the file is saved, it can be used with any spreadsheet or database program that can open comma delimited (e.g., csv or comma-separated variables) files.
How can I view, as a group, the full records retrieved in my search?
Follow the instructions for Downloading and then view the full records in your downloaded file.
How do I ensure that the downloaded values display properly in MS Excel?
Downloaded files from AAD are CSV files and may be opened with MS Excel. The default column format in MS Excel is "general" which converts numeric values to numbers, date values to dates, and all remaining values to text. Sometimes, the "general" format will cause values to incorrectly display. The following instructions will prevent this from occurring.
- Open MS Excel and open a new blank worksheet and click on a cell in the worksheet.
- On the "Data" menu, point to "Import External Data," and then click "Import Data."
- In the "Files of type" box, click "Text Files."
- In the "Look in" list, locate and double-click the text file you want to import as an external data range.
- From the Text Import Wizard...
- Step 1 of 3: In the "Original data type" box select the "Delimited" radio button and then click the "Next" button at the bottom of the dialog box.
- Step 2 of 3: In the "Delimiters" box, uncheck the "tab delimiter" checkbox and check the "comma delimiter" checkbox and then click the "Next" button at the bottom of the dialog box.
- Step 3 of 3: Highlight all columns in the "Data preview"
box and in the "Column data format" box, change the radio button
from "General" to "Text."
Make sure that the label above each column in the "Data preview" box says "Text" and not "General." - Click the "Finish" button at the bottom of the dialog box to exit the Text Import Wizard.
- In the "Import Data" dialog box, click on the "Existing worksheet" radio button, and then click the "OK" button to import data.
For additional help in AAD please see What help is available for me?
The frequently asked questions are dedicated to providing you with additional information and possible solutions if you are experiencing problems trying to access AAD. It is important to remember that some problems associated with trying to access the AAD database may have nothing to do with the web site. The suggestions made in this section regarding troubleshooting are only possible solutions and do not imply or express a guarantee that these solutions will actually solve the problems you may be having. If after reviewing the FAQ's you are still having difficulties, please contact us at cer@nara.gov with a detailed description of the problem you are experiencing.