How can I understand the structure of downloaded files? – Truflation

When you download Truflation CPI data, the files contain multiple datasets with specific column structures. This guide will help you understand how the data is organized and what each section contains.

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Important: All Truflation data has a 24-hour reporting delay. For example, data reported on March 19th, 2025 actually represents information from March 18th, 2025.

📑 File Structure Overview

Each file available to download serves different analytical purposes:

📄 Basic CPI Data Files

3Y Truflation CPI Data - Three years of core inflation metrics

5Y Truflation CPI Data - Five years of core inflation metrics

All Truflation CPI Data - Complete historical dataset

📑 Detailed Category Files

3Y Truflation Categories - Three years of breakdown by 12 main categories.

5Y Truflation Categories - 5 years of breakdown by 12 main categories

All Categories and Sub-categories - Most comprehensive breakdown

🔠 Column Structure Explained

3Y/5Y/ALL Truflation CPI Data

▪️ Column A: Date

Release date of the data

Remember the 24-hour delay when interpreting dates

▪️ Column B: Inflation

Year-over-year inflation rate

This is the primary inflation metric

▪️ Column C: CPI Index

Current Truflation CPI Index value

Represents today's index level

▪️Column D: CPI Index Year Ago

CPI Index value from one year prior

Used to calculate year-over-year changes

3Y Truflation Categories - US

▪️ Column A: Dates

The release dates for each data point

Remember: there's a 24-hour delay

▪️ Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI

These give you the "big picture" inflation metrics:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate (the headline number)

Column C: Today's CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from exactly one year ago

▪️ Columns E-AN: The 12 Category Breakdown

This is where it gets detailed. Truflation tracks 12 main categories (like Housing, Transportation, Food, etc.). For each category, you get three columns:

Category inflation rate (year-over-year)

Current category index

Category index from one year ago

So if there are 12 categories × 3 data points each = 36 columns (E through AN).

▪️ Columns AO-AT: Goods vs Services Split

Goods: Physical products (cars, clothes, electronics, etc.)

Services: Things you pay for but don't take home (haircuts, repairs, subscriptions, etc.)

Each gets the same three-metric treatment (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns AU-AZ: Core vs Non-Core Split

This is an important economic distinction:

Core: Everything EXCEPT food and energy (considered more stable)

Non-Core: ONLY food and energy (these are volatile and can swing wildly)

5Y Truflation Categories - US

▪️ Column A: Dates

The release dates for each data point

Remember: there's a 24-hour delay

▪️ Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI

These give you the "big picture" inflation metrics:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate (the headline number)

Column C: Today's CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from exactly one year ago

▪️ Columns E-CG: The 12 Category Breakdown

This is where it gets detailed. Truflation tracks 12 main categories (like Housing, Transportation, Food, etc.). For each category, you get three columns:

Category inflation rate (year-over-year)

Current category index

Category index from one year ago

So if there are 12 categories × 3 data points each = 36 columns (E through AN).

▪️ Columns CH-CM: Goods vs Services Split

Goods: Physical products (cars, clothes, electronics, etc.)

Services: Things you pay for but don't take home (haircuts, repairs, subscriptions, etc.)

Each gets the same three-metric treatment (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns CN-CS: Core vs Non-Core Split

This is an important economic distinction:

Core: Everything EXCEPT food and energy (considered more stable)

Non-Core: ONLY food and energy (these are volatile and can swing wildly)

▪️ Columns CT-FG: BLS Mapping

Truflation Data mapped to BLS

CPI Categorization and weighting

▪️ Columns FH-HU: BLS CPI Data

These Columns represent the BLS CPI Data

ALL Truflation Categories, Subcategories and Sub-sub categories - US

The most detailed US inflation data you can get, with three different methodologies and the deepest category breakdown possible.

▪️ Column A: Dates

Release dates with the standard 24-hour delay

Remember: there's a 24-hour delay. So March 19th data reflects March 18th conditions

▪️ Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI for US

US headline inflation using Truflation's methodology:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate

Column C: Current CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from one year ago

▪️ Columns E-CV: Ultra-Detailed Category Breakdown

This is massive (E through CV = about 300+ columns!) because it includes:

12 main Truflation categories

Subcategories within each main category

Sub-subcategories within the subcategories

Think of it like a family tree:

Transportation (main category)
├── Motor Vehicles (subcategory)
│   ├── New Cars (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Used Cars (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Car Parts (sub-subcategory)
├── Motor Fuel (subcategory)
│   ├── Gasoline (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Diesel (sub-subcategory)
└── Public Transportation (subcategory)
    ├── Airlines (sub-subcategory)
    └── Local Transit (sub-subcategory)

Each level gets three metrics (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns CW-DB: Goods vs Services

Goods: All physical products

Services: All service categories

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

▪️ Columns DC-DH: Core vs Non-Core

Core: Everything except Food and Energy

Non-Core: Only Food and Energy (volatile items)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

▪️ Columns DI-FV: Truflation Data Mapped to BLS Structure

Here's where it gets really interesting. This section takes all of Truflation's data and reorganizes it to match exactly how the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) categorizes and weights inflation.

▪️ Columns FW-IJ: Official BLS CPI Data

This contains the actual official US government inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics - the data that gets reported in the news and used by the Federal Reserve for policy decisions.

5Y Truflation Categories - UK

▪️ Column A: Dates

The release dates for each data point

Remember: there's a 24-hour delay

▪️Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI

These give you the "big picture" inflation metrics:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate (the headline number)

Column C: Today's CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from exactly one year ago

▪️ Columns E-CS: The 12 Category Breakdown

This is where it gets detailed. Truflation tracks 12 main categories (like Housing, Transportation, Food, etc.). For each category, you get three columns:

Category inflation rate (year-over-year)

Current category index

Category index from one year ago

So if there are 12 categories × 3 data points each = 36 columns (E through AN).

▪️ Columns CT-CY: Goods vs Services Split

Goods: Physical products (cars, clothes, electronics, etc.)

Services: Things you pay for but don't take home (haircuts, repairs, subscriptions, etc.)

Each gets the same three-metric treatment (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns CZ-DE: Core vs Non-Core Split

This is an important economic distinction:

Core: Everything EXCEPT food and energy (considered more stable)

Non-Core: ONLY food and energy (these are volatile and can swing wildly)

▪️ Columns DF-ES: ONS CPI Data

This Columns represent the Office of Natioal Statistics CPI data

All Truflation categories, sub-categories & sub-sub categories - UK

▪️ Column A: Dates

Release dates with the standard 24-hour delay

March 19th data reflects March 18th conditions

▪️ Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI for UK

UK headline inflation using Truflation's methodology:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate

Column C: Current CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from one year ago

▪️ Columns E-DH: Ultra-Detailed UK Category Breakdown

This is extensive (E through DH = about 350+ columns!) because it includes:

12 main Truflation categories adapted for the UK economy

Subcategories within each main category

Sub-subcategories within the subcategories

UK-specific examples might include:

Housing (main category)
├── Council Tax (subcategory)
├── Mortgage Interest (subcategory)
├── Rent (subcategory)
│   ├── Private Rent (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Social Housing (sub-subcategory)
└── Home Insurance (subcategory)

Transportation (main category)
├── Motor Vehicles (subcategory)
│   ├── Petrol Cars (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Electric Vehicles (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Car Insurance (sub-subcategory)
├── Public Transport (subcategory)
│   ├── Rail Fares (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Bus Fares (sub-subcategory)
│   └── London Transport (sub-subcategory)

Each category level gets three metrics (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns DI-DN: Goods vs Services Split

Goods: All physical products (imports, manufacturing, etc.)

Services: All service categories (finance, tourism, healthcare, etc.)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

Particularly important for the UK given its service-heavy economy (financial services, tourism, etc.)

▪️ Columns DO-DT: Core vs Non-Core

Core: Everything except Food and Energy

Non-Core: Only Food and Energy (volatile items)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

Energy costs are especially significant for the UK due to import dependencies

▪️ Columns DU-FG: ONS Official Data

ONS = Office for National Statistics - the UK's official statistical authority.

These columns contain the UK's official CPI data as calculated and published by ONS, following their methodology and category definitions used by the Bank of England and UK Treasury.

5Y Truflation Categories - Argentina

▪️ Column A: Dates

Release dates with the standard 24-hour delay

Remember: there's a 24-hour delay. So March 19th data reflects March 18th conditions

▪️ Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI for Argentina

The big picture inflation metrics using Truflation's methodology:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate

Column C: Current CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from one year ago

▪️ Columns E-BR: Detailed Category & Subcategory Breakdown

You get:

The 12 main Truflation categories

Plus subcategories within each main category

For example, instead of just "Transportation," you might see:

Transportation (main category)

Public Transportation (subcategory)

Vehicle Purchases (subcategory)

Fuel (subcategory)

Each category and subcategory gets three data points (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns BS-BX: Goods vs Services

Goods: Physical products

Services: Intangible services

Three metrics each (6 columns total): inflation YoY rate, index value today, index value a year ago.

▪️ Columns BY-CD: Core vs Non-Core

Core: Everything except Food and Energy

Non-Core: Only Food and Energy (volatile categories)

Three metrics each (6 columns total): inflation YoY rate, index value today, index value a year ago.

▪️ Columns CE-DQ: INDEC Official Data

This is where it gets really interesting. INDEC is Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Censuses - their official government statistical agency.

These columns contain Argentina's official inflation data as calculated and published by INDEC, structured according to their methodology and categories.

All Truflation categories, sub-categories & sub-sub categories - Argentina

▪️ Column A: Dates

Release dates with the standard 24-hour delay

March 19th data reflects March 18th conditions

▪️Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI for Argentina

Argentina's headline inflation using Truflation's methodology:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate

Column C: Current CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from one year ago

▪️ Columns E-CG: Ultra-Detailed Argentina Category Breakdown

This is massive (E through CG = about 280+ columns!) because it includes:

12 main Truflation categories adapted for the Argentine economy

Subcategories within each main category

Sub-subcategories within the subcategories

Argentina-specific examples might include:

Food & Beverages (main category)
├── Meat & Poultry (subcategory)
│   ├── Beef (sub-subcategory) - crucial in Argentina
│   ├── Pork (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Chicken (sub-subcategory)
├── Grains & Cereals (subcategory)
│   ├── Wheat Products (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Corn Products (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Soy Products (sub-subcategory)

Transportation (main category)
├── Motor Vehicles (subcategory)
│   ├── Imported Cars (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Domestic Cars (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Motorcycles (sub-subcategory)
├── Fuel (subcategory)
│   ├── Gasoline (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Diesel (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Compressed Gas (sub-subcategory)

Each category level gets three metrics (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns CH-CM: Goods vs Services Split

Goods: All physical products (imports, manufacturing, agricultural exports)

Services: All service categories (banking, telecommunications, utilities)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

Critical for Argentina due to import restrictions and currency controls affecting goods differently than services

▪️ Columns CN-CT: Core vs Non-Core

Core: Everything except Food and Energy

Non-Core: Only Food and Energy (volatile items)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

Especially important in Argentina where food and energy subsidies/controls can create significant price distortions

▪️ Columns CU-EF: INDEC Official Data

INDEC = Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (National Institute of Statistics and Censuses) - Argentina's official statistical authority.

These columns contain Argentina's official CPI data as calculated and published by INDEC, following their methodology and category definitions.

5Y Truflation Categories - India

▪️ Column A: Dates

Release dates with the standard 24-hour delay

Remember: there's a 24-hour delay. So March 19th data reflects March 18th conditions

▪️ Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI for India

India's headline inflation using Truflation's methodology:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate

Column C: Current CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from one year ago

▪️ Columns E-BF: Detailed Category & Subcategory Breakdown

This section is extensive (E through BF = about 90+ columns) because it includes:

12 main Truflation categories adapted for the Indian market

Subcategories within each main category

For India, this might include categories particularly relevant to the Indian economy, such as:

Food & Beverages (with subcategories like cereals, pulses, spices)

Housing (urban vs rural considerations)

Transportation (including auto-rickshaws, public transport)

Healthcare (including traditional medicine)

Each category and subcategory gets the standard three metrics (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns BG-BL: Goods vs Services Split

Goods: Physical products (manufacturing, agriculture, imports)

Services: Service sector (IT, telecommunications, banking, etc.)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

This is particularly important for India given its large service sector economy.

▪️ Columns BM-BR: Core vs Non-Core

Core: Everything except Food and Energy

Non-Core: Only Food and Energy

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

Food inflation is especially significant in India due to agricultural dependencies and monsoon patterns.

▪️ Columns BS-CM: MOSPI Official Data

MOSPI = Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation - India's official statistical authority.

These columns contain India's official CPI data as calculated and published by MOSPI, following their methodology and category definitions.

All Truflation categories, sub-categories & sub-sub categories - India

▪️ Column A: Dates

Release dates with the standard 24-hour delay

March 19th data reflects March 18th conditions

▪️ Columns B-D: Overall Truflation CPI for India

India's headline inflation using Truflation's methodology:

Column B: Year-over-year inflation rate

Column C: Current CPI index level

Column D: CPI index from one year ago

▪️ Columns E-BU: Ultra-Detailed India Category Breakdown

This is extensive (E through BU = about 250+ columns!) because it includes:

12 main Truflation categories adapted for the Indian economy

Subcategories within each main category

Sub-subcategories within the subcategories

India-specific examples might include:

Food & Beverages (main category)
├── Cereals & Products (subcategory)
│   ├── Rice (sub-subcategory) - staple food
│   ├── Wheat (sub-subcategory) - staple food
│   └── Jowar/Bajra (sub-subcategory) - regional grains
├── Pulses & Products (subcategory)
│   ├── Arhar/Tur (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Gram (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Masur (sub-subcategory)
├── Spices (subcategory)
│   ├── Turmeric (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Chili Powder (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Coriander (sub-subcategory)

Transportation (main category)
├── Motor Vehicles (subcategory)
│   ├── Two-wheelers (sub-subcategory) - dominant in India
│   ├── Cars (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Commercial Vehicles (sub-subcategory)
├── Public Transport (subcategory)
│   ├── Railway Fares (sub-subcategory)
│   ├── Bus Fares (sub-subcategory)
│   └── Auto-rickshaw (sub-subcategory)

Each category level gets three metrics (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index).

▪️ Columns BV-CA: Goods vs Services Split

Goods: All physical products (manufacturing, agriculture, imports)

Services: All service categories (IT, telecommunications, banking, healthcare)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

Particularly important for India given its large IT services sector and manufacturing base

▪️ Columns CB-CG: Core vs Non-Core

Core: Everything except Food and Energy

Non-Core: Only Food and Energy (volatile items)

Three metrics each (6 columns total)

Critical in India where food inflation significantly impacts rural populations and energy prices affect industrial costs

▪️ Columns CH-DB: MOSPI Official Data

MOSPI = Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation - India's official statistical authority under the Government of India.

These columns contain India's official CPI data as calculated and published by MOSPI, following their methodology and category definitions used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for monetary policy decisions.

📖 Reading Your Downloaded File

Start with Column A to understand the time period covered

Check Columns B-D for basic inflation trends

Explore category columns to see sector-specific inflation

Compare Core vs Non-Core to understand inflation drivers

Review regional official data for benchmark comparisons

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Tips

Data Structure

Three-metric pattern: Every category follows the same structure (YoY rate, current index, year-ago index)

Consistent dating: All data uses the same date column with 24-hour delay

Hierarchical organization: Data flows from general (total CPI) to specific (subcategories)

Multiple comparisons: Files often include both Truflation and official government data

File Size Considerations

Basic CPI files are smaller and load faster

Category files contain significantly more columns

"All" datasets are the largest but most comprehensive

Consider your analysis needs when choosing which file to download

Understanding this structure will help you quickly navigate to the specific inflation data you need for your analysis, whether you're tracking overall trends or diving deep into specific economic sectors.