The AnVIL Data Explorer provides faceted search and selection of released AnVIL data, including by dataset, donor, biosample, and file formats. Learn how to find and access data for analysis with step-by-step instructions below.
For an overview of the process, see Finding and using AnVIL data.
Before you can work with AnVIL data on Terra, make sure you have set up billing and data access. See Part 1: Set up billing and data access in Terra.
To learn how to start working with AnVIL data, see Part 3: Export data to Terra for analysis.
2.1. Search and filter data
You can sort and filter study data based on a wide range of facets. The facets are visible as Filters in the left-hand column of the Explore Data page (circled in orange in the screenshot of the Explore page below).
Select the Filter button in the upper right if the filter facets are not displayed on the left, as may happen with a narrow browser window.
If you click on any of these facets, you can see a more detailed view of datasets that match the filters you have chosen. For example, see the expanded Anatomical Site filter in the screenshot below.
Filtering logic (multiple facets)
- When you select multiple facets, only data matching all selected facets is displayed (e.g., filter by Anatomical Site AND BioSample Type).
- When you select multiple values within a facet, data matching any of the facet values is displayed (e.g., within the facet BioSample Type, selecting both Blood and Tissue will list datasets that include Blood OR Tissue samples).
2.2. Explore studies
Dataset summary page information and buttons include
- Details about the dataset (middle)
- Your access level (green pill under the dataset name)
- A button to request access if it's required
- A button to export the data if you already have access (upper right corner)
Permission to access datasets is displayed as “Granted” (allowed) or “Required” (not allowed).
Note the green “Granted” pill-shaped marker under Access in the screenshot below, indicating the user has access to two AnVIL 1000 Genomes datasets.
2.3. Check/request access in the AnVIL Data Explorer
Your dbGaP authorization will seamlessly transfer to the AnVIL Data Explorer and Terra when you link your Terra account to dbGaP with your NIH login (see step-by-step instructions here).
In the Data Explorer, you will see datasets you are granted access to and those that require access. You can request access directly in the Data Explorer by selecting the Request Access button at the top right of the dataset description page (screenshot below).
Is the dataset not listed in the AnVIL Data Explorer?
If a desired dataset is not in the AnVIL Data Explorer, note that recently released data may not yet be indexed in the AnVIL Data Explorer. For step-by-step instructions on how to use DUOS to find and access your data, see How to access GTEx data in Terra. Note that this documentation uses GTEx data as an example; you will use the same steps to access any data stored in TDR via DUOS, including AnVIL data before it is available in the AnvIL Data Explorer.
How to request support
To submit questions, issues, or suggestions regarding the AnVIL Data Explorer, use the help icon in the lower right corner of any page.