Multi-series macro panels: fetch, transform, widen, plot

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Charles Coverdale

01 November 2026

This vignette walks through the most common starting workflow with fred: fetching several series in one call, applying a server-side transformation, pivoting to wide format for cross-series analysis, and producing a default plot with recession shading.

The chunks below require an API key (set via fred_set_key() or the FRED_API_KEY environment variable). If no key is set, code is shown but not executed.

Setup

library(fred)

A core macro panel

A typical first move is to grab GDP, unemployment, and headline CPI together, on a long format that is easy to iterate over.

panel <- fred_series(
  c("GDPC1", "UNRATE", "CPIAUCSL"),
  from = "2000-01-01"
)
panel
#> # FRED: 3 series · 749 obs
#>           date series_id     value
#> 1   2000-01-01     GDPC1 13878.147
#> 2   2000-04-01     GDPC1 14130.908
#> 3   2000-07-01     GDPC1 14145.312
#> 4   2000-10-01     GDPC1 14229.765
#> 5   2001-01-01     GDPC1 14183.120
#> 6   2001-04-01     GDPC1 14271.694
#> 7   2001-07-01     GDPC1 14214.516
#> 8   2001-10-01     GDPC1 14253.574
#> 9   2002-01-01     GDPC1 14372.785
#> 10  2002-04-01     GDPC1 14460.848
#> 11  2002-07-01     GDPC1 14519.633
#> 12  2002-10-01     GDPC1 14537.580
#> 13  2003-01-01     GDPC1 14614.141
#> 14  2003-04-01     GDPC1 14743.567
#> 15  2003-07-01     GDPC1 14988.782
#> 16  2003-10-01     GDPC1 15162.760
#> 17  2004-01-01     GDPC1 15248.680
#> 18  2004-04-01     GDPC1 15366.850
#> 19  2004-07-01     GDPC1 15512.619
#> 20  2004-10-01     GDPC1 15670.880
#> 21  2005-01-01     GDPC1 15844.727
#> 22  2005-04-01     GDPC1 15922.782
#> 23  2005-07-01     GDPC1 16047.587
#> 24  2005-10-01     GDPC1 16136.734
#> 25  2006-01-01     GDPC1 16353.835
#> 26  2006-04-01     GDPC1 16396.151
#> 27  2006-07-01     GDPC1 16420.738
#> 28  2006-10-01     GDPC1 16561.866
#> 29  2007-01-01     GDPC1 16611.690
#> 30  2007-04-01     GDPC1 16713.314
#> 31  2007-07-01     GDPC1 16809.587
#> 32  2007-10-01     GDPC1 16915.191
#> 33  2008-01-01     GDPC1 16843.003
#> 34  2008-04-01     GDPC1 16943.291
#> 35  2008-07-01     GDPC1 16854.295
#> 36  2008-10-01     GDPC1 16485.350
#> 37  2009-01-01     GDPC1 16298.262
#> 38  2009-04-01     GDPC1 16269.145
#> 39  2009-07-01     GDPC1 16326.281
#> 40  2009-10-01     GDPC1 16502.754
#> 41  2010-01-01     GDPC1 16582.710
#> 42  2010-04-01     GDPC1 16743.162
#> 43  2010-07-01     GDPC1 16872.266
#> 44  2010-10-01     GDPC1 16960.864
#> 45  2011-01-01     GDPC1 16920.632
#> 46  2011-04-01     GDPC1 17035.114
#> 47  2011-07-01     GDPC1 17031.313
#> 48  2011-10-01     GDPC1 17222.583
#> 49  2012-01-01     GDPC1 17367.010
#> 50  2012-04-01     GDPC1 17444.525
#> 51  2012-07-01     GDPC1 17469.650
#> 52  2012-10-01     GDPC1 17489.852
#> 53  2013-01-01     GDPC1 17662.400
#> 54  2013-04-01     GDPC1 17709.671
#> 55  2013-07-01     GDPC1 17860.450
#> 56  2013-10-01     GDPC1 18016.147
#> 57  2014-01-01     GDPC1 17953.974
#> 58  2014-04-01     GDPC1 18185.911
#> 59  2014-07-01     GDPC1 18406.941
#> 60  2014-10-01     GDPC1 18500.031
#> 61  2015-01-01     GDPC1 18666.621
#> 62  2015-04-01     GDPC1 18782.243
#> 63  2015-07-01     GDPC1 18857.418
#> 64  2015-10-01     GDPC1 18892.206
#> 65  2016-01-01     GDPC1 19001.690
#> 66  2016-04-01     GDPC1 19062.709
#> 67  2016-07-01     GDPC1 19197.938
#> 68  2016-10-01     GDPC1 19304.352
#> 69  2017-01-01     GDPC1 19398.343
#> 70  2017-04-01     GDPC1 19506.949
#> 71  2017-07-01     GDPC1 19660.766
#> 72  2017-10-01     GDPC1 19882.352
#> 73  2018-01-01     GDPC1 20044.077
#> 74  2018-04-01     GDPC1 20150.476
#> 75  2018-07-01     GDPC1 20276.154
#> 76  2018-10-01     GDPC1 20304.874
#> 77  2019-01-01     GDPC1 20431.641
#> 78  2019-04-01     GDPC1 20602.275
#> 79  2019-07-01     GDPC1 20843.322
#> 80  2019-10-01     GDPC1 20985.448
#> 81  2020-01-01     GDPC1 20709.212
#> 82  2020-04-01     GDPC1 19077.992
#> 83  2020-07-01     GDPC1 20558.879
#> 84  2020-10-01     GDPC1 20791.917
#> 85  2021-01-01     GDPC1 21106.619
#> 86  2021-04-01     GDPC1 21474.077
#> 87  2021-07-01     GDPC1 21641.672
#> 88  2021-10-01     GDPC1 22001.640
#> 89  2022-01-01     GDPC1 21945.682
#> 90  2022-04-01     GDPC1 21976.292
#> 91  2022-07-01     GDPC1 22124.384
#> 92  2022-10-01     GDPC1 22272.546
#> 93  2023-01-01     GDPC1 22456.938
#> 94  2023-04-01     GDPC1 22577.556
#> 95  2023-07-01     GDPC1 22828.796
#> 96  2023-10-01     GDPC1 23033.250
#> 97  2024-01-01     GDPC1 23115.975
#> 98  2024-04-01     GDPC1 23320.074
#> 99  2024-07-01     GDPC1 23501.760
#> 100 2024-10-01     GDPC1 23641.759
#> 101 2025-01-01     GDPC1 23650.213
#> 102 2025-04-01     GDPC1 23884.563
#> 103 2025-07-01     GDPC1 24112.966
#> 104 2025-10-01     GDPC1 24125.479
#> 105 2026-01-01     GDPC1 24274.383
#> 106 2026-04-01     GDPC1 24408.011
#> 107 2026-07-01     GDPC1 24611.077
#> 108 2000-01-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 109 2000-02-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 110 2000-03-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 111 2000-04-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 112 2000-05-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 113 2000-06-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 114 2000-07-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 115 2000-08-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 116 2000-09-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 117 2000-10-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 118 2000-11-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 119 2000-12-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 120 2001-01-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 121 2001-02-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 122 2001-03-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 123 2001-04-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 124 2001-05-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 125 2001-06-01    UNRATE     4.500
#> 126 2001-07-01    UNRATE     4.600
#> 127 2001-08-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 128 2001-09-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 129 2001-10-01    UNRATE     5.300
#> 130 2001-11-01    UNRATE     5.500
#> 131 2001-12-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 132 2002-01-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 133 2002-02-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 134 2002-03-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 135 2002-04-01    UNRATE     5.900
#> 136 2002-05-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 137 2002-06-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 138 2002-07-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 139 2002-08-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 140 2002-09-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 141 2002-10-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 142 2002-11-01    UNRATE     5.900
#> 143 2002-12-01    UNRATE     6.000
#> 144 2003-01-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 145 2003-02-01    UNRATE     5.900
#> 146 2003-03-01    UNRATE     5.900
#> 147 2003-04-01    UNRATE     6.000
#> 148 2003-05-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 149 2003-06-01    UNRATE     6.300
#> 150 2003-07-01    UNRATE     6.200
#> 151 2003-08-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 152 2003-09-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 153 2003-10-01    UNRATE     6.000
#> 154 2003-11-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 155 2003-12-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 156 2004-01-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 157 2004-02-01    UNRATE     5.600
#> 158 2004-03-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 159 2004-04-01    UNRATE     5.600
#> 160 2004-05-01    UNRATE     5.600
#> 161 2004-06-01    UNRATE     5.600
#> 162 2004-07-01    UNRATE     5.500
#> 163 2004-08-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 164 2004-09-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 165 2004-10-01    UNRATE     5.500
#> 166 2004-11-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 167 2004-12-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 168 2005-01-01    UNRATE     5.300
#> 169 2005-02-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 170 2005-03-01    UNRATE     5.200
#> 171 2005-04-01    UNRATE     5.200
#> 172 2005-05-01    UNRATE     5.100
#> 173 2005-06-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 174 2005-07-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 175 2005-08-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 176 2005-09-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 177 2005-10-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 178 2005-11-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 179 2005-12-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 180 2006-01-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 181 2006-02-01    UNRATE     4.800
#> 182 2006-03-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 183 2006-04-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 184 2006-05-01    UNRATE     4.600
#> 185 2006-06-01    UNRATE     4.600
#> 186 2006-07-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 187 2006-08-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 188 2006-09-01    UNRATE     4.500
#> 189 2006-10-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 190 2006-11-01    UNRATE     4.500
#> 191 2006-12-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 192 2007-01-01    UNRATE     4.600
#> 193 2007-02-01    UNRATE     4.500
#> 194 2007-03-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 195 2007-04-01    UNRATE     4.500
#> 196 2007-05-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 197 2007-06-01    UNRATE     4.600
#> 198 2007-07-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 199 2007-08-01    UNRATE     4.600
#> 200 2007-09-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 201 2007-10-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 202 2007-11-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 203 2007-12-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 204 2008-01-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 205 2008-02-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 206 2008-03-01    UNRATE     5.100
#> 207 2008-04-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 208 2008-05-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 209 2008-06-01    UNRATE     5.600
#> 210 2008-07-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 211 2008-08-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 212 2008-09-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 213 2008-10-01    UNRATE     6.500
#> 214 2008-11-01    UNRATE     6.800
#> 215 2008-12-01    UNRATE     7.300
#> 216 2009-01-01    UNRATE     7.800
#> 217 2009-02-01    UNRATE     8.300
#> 218 2009-03-01    UNRATE     8.700
#> 219 2009-04-01    UNRATE     9.000
#> 220 2009-05-01    UNRATE     9.400
#> 221 2009-06-01    UNRATE     9.500
#> 222 2009-07-01    UNRATE     9.500
#> 223 2009-08-01    UNRATE     9.600
#> 224 2009-09-01    UNRATE     9.800
#> 225 2009-10-01    UNRATE    10.000
#> 226 2009-11-01    UNRATE     9.900
#> 227 2009-12-01    UNRATE     9.900
#> 228 2010-01-01    UNRATE     9.800
#> 229 2010-02-01    UNRATE     9.800
#> 230 2010-03-01    UNRATE     9.900
#> 231 2010-04-01    UNRATE     9.900
#> 232 2010-05-01    UNRATE     9.600
#> 233 2010-06-01    UNRATE     9.400
#> 234 2010-07-01    UNRATE     9.400
#> 235 2010-08-01    UNRATE     9.500
#> 236 2010-09-01    UNRATE     9.500
#> 237 2010-10-01    UNRATE     9.400
#> 238 2010-11-01    UNRATE     9.800
#> 239 2010-12-01    UNRATE     9.300
#> 240 2011-01-01    UNRATE     9.100
#> 241 2011-02-01    UNRATE     9.000
#> 242 2011-03-01    UNRATE     9.000
#> 243 2011-04-01    UNRATE     9.100
#> 244 2011-05-01    UNRATE     9.000
#> 245 2011-06-01    UNRATE     9.100
#> 246 2011-07-01    UNRATE     9.000
#> 247 2011-08-01    UNRATE     9.000
#> 248 2011-09-01    UNRATE     9.000
#> 249 2011-10-01    UNRATE     8.800
#> 250 2011-11-01    UNRATE     8.600
#> 251 2011-12-01    UNRATE     8.500
#> 252 2012-01-01    UNRATE     8.300
#> 253 2012-02-01    UNRATE     8.300
#> 254 2012-03-01    UNRATE     8.200
#> 255 2012-04-01    UNRATE     8.200
#> 256 2012-05-01    UNRATE     8.200
#> 257 2012-06-01    UNRATE     8.200
#> 258 2012-07-01    UNRATE     8.200
#> 259 2012-08-01    UNRATE     8.100
#> 260 2012-09-01    UNRATE     7.800
#> 261 2012-10-01    UNRATE     7.800
#> 262 2012-11-01    UNRATE     7.700
#> 263 2012-12-01    UNRATE     7.900
#> 264 2013-01-01    UNRATE     8.000
#> 265 2013-02-01    UNRATE     7.700
#> 266 2013-03-01    UNRATE     7.500
#> 267 2013-04-01    UNRATE     7.600
#> 268 2013-05-01    UNRATE     7.500
#> 269 2013-06-01    UNRATE     7.500
#> 270 2013-07-01    UNRATE     7.300
#> 271 2013-08-01    UNRATE     7.200
#> 272 2013-09-01    UNRATE     7.200
#> 273 2013-10-01    UNRATE     7.200
#> 274 2013-11-01    UNRATE     6.900
#> 275 2013-12-01    UNRATE     6.700
#> 276 2014-01-01    UNRATE     6.600
#> 277 2014-02-01    UNRATE     6.700
#> 278 2014-03-01    UNRATE     6.700
#> 279 2014-04-01    UNRATE     6.200
#> 280 2014-05-01    UNRATE     6.300
#> 281 2014-06-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 282 2014-07-01    UNRATE     6.200
#> 283 2014-08-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 284 2014-09-01    UNRATE     5.900
#> 285 2014-10-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 286 2014-11-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 287 2014-12-01    UNRATE     5.600
#> 288 2015-01-01    UNRATE     5.700
#> 289 2015-02-01    UNRATE     5.500
#> 290 2015-03-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 291 2015-04-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 292 2015-05-01    UNRATE     5.600
#> 293 2015-06-01    UNRATE     5.300
#> 294 2015-07-01    UNRATE     5.200
#> 295 2015-08-01    UNRATE     5.100
#> 296 2015-09-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 297 2015-10-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 298 2015-11-01    UNRATE     5.100
#> 299 2015-12-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 300 2016-01-01    UNRATE     4.800
#> 301 2016-02-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 302 2016-03-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 303 2016-04-01    UNRATE     5.100
#> 304 2016-05-01    UNRATE     4.800
#> 305 2016-06-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 306 2016-07-01    UNRATE     4.800
#> 307 2016-08-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 308 2016-09-01    UNRATE     5.000
#> 309 2016-10-01    UNRATE     4.900
#> 310 2016-11-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 311 2016-12-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 312 2017-01-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 313 2017-02-01    UNRATE     4.600
#> 314 2017-03-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 315 2017-04-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 316 2017-05-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 317 2017-06-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 318 2017-07-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 319 2017-08-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 320 2017-09-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 321 2017-10-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 322 2017-11-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 323 2017-12-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 324 2018-01-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 325 2018-02-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 326 2018-03-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 327 2018-04-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 328 2018-05-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 329 2018-06-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 330 2018-07-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 331 2018-08-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 332 2018-09-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 333 2018-10-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 334 2018-11-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 335 2018-12-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 336 2019-01-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 337 2019-02-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 338 2019-03-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 339 2019-04-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 340 2019-05-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 341 2019-06-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 342 2019-07-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 343 2019-08-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 344 2019-09-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 345 2019-10-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 346 2019-11-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 347 2019-12-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 348 2020-01-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 349 2020-02-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 350 2020-03-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 351 2020-04-01    UNRATE    14.800
#> 352 2020-05-01    UNRATE    13.200
#> 353 2020-06-01    UNRATE    11.000
#> 354 2020-07-01    UNRATE    10.200
#> 355 2020-08-01    UNRATE     8.400
#> 356 2020-09-01    UNRATE     7.800
#> 357 2020-10-01    UNRATE     6.900
#> 358 2020-11-01    UNRATE     6.700
#> 359 2020-12-01    UNRATE     6.700
#> 360 2021-01-01    UNRATE     6.400
#> 361 2021-02-01    UNRATE     6.200
#> 362 2021-03-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 363 2021-04-01    UNRATE     6.100
#> 364 2021-05-01    UNRATE     5.800
#> 365 2021-06-01    UNRATE     5.900
#> 366 2021-07-01    UNRATE     5.400
#> 367 2021-08-01    UNRATE     5.100
#> 368 2021-09-01    UNRATE     4.700
#> 369 2021-10-01    UNRATE     4.500
#> 370 2021-11-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 371 2021-12-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 372 2022-01-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 373 2022-02-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 374 2022-03-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 375 2022-04-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 376 2022-05-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 377 2022-06-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 378 2022-07-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 379 2022-08-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 380 2022-09-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 381 2022-10-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 382 2022-11-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 383 2022-12-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 384 2023-01-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 385 2023-02-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 386 2023-03-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 387 2023-04-01    UNRATE     3.400
#> 388 2023-05-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 389 2023-06-01    UNRATE     3.600
#> 390 2023-07-01    UNRATE     3.500
#> 391 2023-08-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 392 2023-09-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 393 2023-10-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 394 2023-11-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 395 2023-12-01    UNRATE     3.800
#> 396 2024-01-01    UNRATE     3.700
#> 397 2024-02-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 398 2024-03-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 399 2024-04-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 400 2024-05-01    UNRATE     3.900
#> 401 2024-06-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 402 2024-07-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 403 2024-08-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 404 2024-09-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 405 2024-10-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 406 2024-11-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 407 2024-12-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 408 2025-01-01    UNRATE     4.000
#> 409 2025-02-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 410 2025-03-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 411 2025-04-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 412 2025-05-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 413 2025-06-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 414 2025-07-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 415 2025-08-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 416 2025-09-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 417 2025-10-01    UNRATE        NA
#> 418 2025-11-01    UNRATE     4.500
#> 419 2025-12-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 420 2026-01-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 421 2026-02-01    UNRATE     4.400
#> 422 2026-03-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 423 2026-04-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 424 2026-05-01    UNRATE     4.300
#> 425 2026-06-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 426 2026-07-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 427 2026-08-01    UNRATE     4.100
#> 428 2026-09-01    UNRATE     4.200
#> 429 2000-01-01  CPIAUCSL   169.300
#> 430 2000-02-01  CPIAUCSL   170.000
#> 431 2000-03-01  CPIAUCSL   171.000
#> 432 2000-04-01  CPIAUCSL   170.900
#> 433 2000-05-01  CPIAUCSL   171.200
#> 434 2000-06-01  CPIAUCSL   172.200
#> 435 2000-07-01  CPIAUCSL   172.700
#> 436 2000-08-01  CPIAUCSL   172.700
#> 437 2000-09-01  CPIAUCSL   173.600
#> 438 2000-10-01  CPIAUCSL   173.900
#> 439 2000-11-01  CPIAUCSL   174.200
#> 440 2000-12-01  CPIAUCSL   174.600
#> 441 2001-01-01  CPIAUCSL   175.600
#> 442 2001-02-01  CPIAUCSL   176.000
#> 443 2001-03-01  CPIAUCSL   176.100
#> 444 2001-04-01  CPIAUCSL   176.400
#> 445 2001-05-01  CPIAUCSL   177.300
#> 446 2001-06-01  CPIAUCSL   177.700
#> 447 2001-07-01  CPIAUCSL   177.400
#> 448 2001-08-01  CPIAUCSL   177.400
#> 449 2001-09-01  CPIAUCSL   178.100
#> 450 2001-10-01  CPIAUCSL   177.600
#> 451 2001-11-01  CPIAUCSL   177.500
#> 452 2001-12-01  CPIAUCSL   177.400
#> 453 2002-01-01  CPIAUCSL   177.700
#> 454 2002-02-01  CPIAUCSL   178.000
#> 455 2002-03-01  CPIAUCSL   178.500
#> 456 2002-04-01  CPIAUCSL   179.300
#> 457 2002-05-01  CPIAUCSL   179.500
#> 458 2002-06-01  CPIAUCSL   179.600
#> 459 2002-07-01  CPIAUCSL   180.000
#> 460 2002-08-01  CPIAUCSL   180.500
#> 461 2002-09-01  CPIAUCSL   180.800
#> 462 2002-10-01  CPIAUCSL   181.200
#> 463 2002-11-01  CPIAUCSL   181.500
#> 464 2002-12-01  CPIAUCSL   181.800
#> 465 2003-01-01  CPIAUCSL   182.600
#> 466 2003-02-01  CPIAUCSL   183.600
#> 467 2003-03-01  CPIAUCSL   183.900
#> 468 2003-04-01  CPIAUCSL   183.200
#> 469 2003-05-01  CPIAUCSL   182.900
#> 470 2003-06-01  CPIAUCSL   183.100
#> 471 2003-07-01  CPIAUCSL   183.700
#> 472 2003-08-01  CPIAUCSL   184.500
#> 473 2003-09-01  CPIAUCSL   185.100
#> 474 2003-10-01  CPIAUCSL   184.900
#> 475 2003-11-01  CPIAUCSL   185.000
#> 476 2003-12-01  CPIAUCSL   185.500
#> 477 2004-01-01  CPIAUCSL   186.300
#> 478 2004-02-01  CPIAUCSL   186.700
#> 479 2004-03-01  CPIAUCSL   187.100
#> 480 2004-04-01  CPIAUCSL   187.400
#> 481 2004-05-01  CPIAUCSL   188.200
#> 482 2004-06-01  CPIAUCSL   188.900
#> 483 2004-07-01  CPIAUCSL   189.100
#> 484 2004-08-01  CPIAUCSL   189.200
#> 485 2004-09-01  CPIAUCSL   189.800
#> 486 2004-10-01  CPIAUCSL   190.800
#> 487 2004-11-01  CPIAUCSL   191.700
#> 488 2004-12-01  CPIAUCSL   191.700
#> 489 2005-01-01  CPIAUCSL   191.600
#> 490 2005-02-01  CPIAUCSL   192.400
#> 491 2005-03-01  CPIAUCSL   193.100
#> 492 2005-04-01  CPIAUCSL   193.700
#> 493 2005-05-01  CPIAUCSL   193.600
#> 494 2005-06-01  CPIAUCSL   193.700
#> 495 2005-07-01  CPIAUCSL   194.900
#> 496 2005-08-01  CPIAUCSL   196.100
#> 497 2005-09-01  CPIAUCSL   198.800
#> 498 2005-10-01  CPIAUCSL   199.100
#> 499 2005-11-01  CPIAUCSL   198.100
#> 500 2005-12-01  CPIAUCSL   198.100
#> 501 2006-01-01  CPIAUCSL   199.300
#> 502 2006-02-01  CPIAUCSL   199.400
#> 503 2006-03-01  CPIAUCSL   199.700
#> 504 2006-04-01  CPIAUCSL   200.700
#> 505 2006-05-01  CPIAUCSL   201.300
#> 506 2006-06-01  CPIAUCSL   201.800
#> 507 2006-07-01  CPIAUCSL   202.900
#> 508 2006-08-01  CPIAUCSL   203.800
#> 509 2006-09-01  CPIAUCSL   202.800
#> 510 2006-10-01  CPIAUCSL   201.900
#> 511 2006-11-01  CPIAUCSL   202.000
#> 512 2006-12-01  CPIAUCSL   203.100
#> 513 2007-01-01  CPIAUCSL   203.437
#> 514 2007-02-01  CPIAUCSL   204.226
#> 515 2007-03-01  CPIAUCSL   205.288
#> 516 2007-04-01  CPIAUCSL   205.904
#> 517 2007-05-01  CPIAUCSL   206.755
#> 518 2007-06-01  CPIAUCSL   207.234
#> 519 2007-07-01  CPIAUCSL   207.603
#> 520 2007-08-01  CPIAUCSL   207.667
#> 521 2007-09-01  CPIAUCSL   208.547
#> 522 2007-10-01  CPIAUCSL   209.190
#> 523 2007-11-01  CPIAUCSL   210.834
#> 524 2007-12-01  CPIAUCSL   211.445
#> 525 2008-01-01  CPIAUCSL   212.174
#> 526 2008-02-01  CPIAUCSL   212.687
#> 527 2008-03-01  CPIAUCSL   213.448
#> 528 2008-04-01  CPIAUCSL   213.942
#> 529 2008-05-01  CPIAUCSL   215.208
#> 530 2008-06-01  CPIAUCSL   217.463
#> 531 2008-07-01  CPIAUCSL   219.016
#> 532 2008-08-01  CPIAUCSL   218.690
#> 533 2008-09-01  CPIAUCSL   218.877
#> 534 2008-10-01  CPIAUCSL   216.995
#> 535 2008-11-01  CPIAUCSL   213.153
#> 536 2008-12-01  CPIAUCSL   211.398
#> 537 2009-01-01  CPIAUCSL   211.933
#> 538 2009-02-01  CPIAUCSL   212.705
#> 539 2009-03-01  CPIAUCSL   212.495
#> 540 2009-04-01  CPIAUCSL   212.709
#> 541 2009-05-01  CPIAUCSL   213.022
#> 542 2009-06-01  CPIAUCSL   214.790
#> 543 2009-07-01  CPIAUCSL   214.726
#> 544 2009-08-01  CPIAUCSL   215.445
#> 545 2009-09-01  CPIAUCSL   215.861
#> 546 2009-10-01  CPIAUCSL   216.509
#> 547 2009-11-01  CPIAUCSL   217.234
#> 548 2009-12-01  CPIAUCSL   217.347
#> 549 2010-01-01  CPIAUCSL   217.488
#> 550 2010-02-01  CPIAUCSL   217.281
#> 551 2010-03-01  CPIAUCSL   217.353
#> 552 2010-04-01  CPIAUCSL   217.403
#> 553 2010-05-01  CPIAUCSL   217.290
#> 554 2010-06-01  CPIAUCSL   217.199
#> 555 2010-07-01  CPIAUCSL   217.605
#> 556 2010-08-01  CPIAUCSL   217.923
#> 557 2010-09-01  CPIAUCSL   218.275
#> 558 2010-10-01  CPIAUCSL   219.035
#> 559 2010-11-01  CPIAUCSL   219.590
#> 560 2010-12-01  CPIAUCSL   220.472
#> 561 2011-01-01  CPIAUCSL   221.187
#> 562 2011-02-01  CPIAUCSL   221.898
#> 563 2011-03-01  CPIAUCSL   223.046
#> 564 2011-04-01  CPIAUCSL   224.093
#> 565 2011-05-01  CPIAUCSL   224.806
#> 566 2011-06-01  CPIAUCSL   224.806
#> 567 2011-07-01  CPIAUCSL   225.395
#> 568 2011-08-01  CPIAUCSL   226.106
#> 569 2011-09-01  CPIAUCSL   226.597
#> 570 2011-10-01  CPIAUCSL   226.750
#> 571 2011-11-01  CPIAUCSL   227.169
#> 572 2011-12-01  CPIAUCSL   227.223
#> 573 2012-01-01  CPIAUCSL   227.842
#> 574 2012-02-01  CPIAUCSL   228.329
#> 575 2012-03-01  CPIAUCSL   228.807
#> 576 2012-04-01  CPIAUCSL   229.187
#> 577 2012-05-01  CPIAUCSL   228.713
#> 578 2012-06-01  CPIAUCSL   228.524
#> 579 2012-07-01  CPIAUCSL   228.590
#> 580 2012-08-01  CPIAUCSL   229.918
#> 581 2012-09-01  CPIAUCSL   231.015
#> 582 2012-10-01  CPIAUCSL   231.638
#> 583 2012-11-01  CPIAUCSL   231.249
#> 584 2012-12-01  CPIAUCSL   231.221
#> 585 2013-01-01  CPIAUCSL   231.679
#> 586 2013-02-01  CPIAUCSL   232.937
#> 587 2013-03-01  CPIAUCSL   232.282
#> 588 2013-04-01  CPIAUCSL   231.797
#> 589 2013-05-01  CPIAUCSL   231.893
#> 590 2013-06-01  CPIAUCSL   232.445
#> 591 2013-07-01  CPIAUCSL   232.900
#> 592 2013-08-01  CPIAUCSL   233.456
#> 593 2013-09-01  CPIAUCSL   233.544
#> 594 2013-10-01  CPIAUCSL   233.669
#> 595 2013-11-01  CPIAUCSL   234.100
#> 596 2013-12-01  CPIAUCSL   234.719
#> 597 2014-01-01  CPIAUCSL   235.288
#> 598 2014-02-01  CPIAUCSL   235.547
#> 599 2014-03-01  CPIAUCSL   236.028
#> 600 2014-04-01  CPIAUCSL   236.468
#> 601 2014-05-01  CPIAUCSL   236.918
#> 602 2014-06-01  CPIAUCSL   237.231
#> 603 2014-07-01  CPIAUCSL   237.498
#> 604 2014-08-01  CPIAUCSL   237.460
#> 605 2014-09-01  CPIAUCSL   237.477
#> 606 2014-10-01  CPIAUCSL   237.430
#> 607 2014-11-01  CPIAUCSL   236.983
#> 608 2014-12-01  CPIAUCSL   236.252
#> 609 2015-01-01  CPIAUCSL   234.747
#> 610 2015-02-01  CPIAUCSL   235.342
#> 611 2015-03-01  CPIAUCSL   235.976
#> 612 2015-04-01  CPIAUCSL   236.222
#> 613 2015-05-01  CPIAUCSL   237.001
#> 614 2015-06-01  CPIAUCSL   237.657
#> 615 2015-07-01  CPIAUCSL   238.034
#> 616 2015-08-01  CPIAUCSL   238.033
#> 617 2015-09-01  CPIAUCSL   237.498
#> 618 2015-10-01  CPIAUCSL   237.733
#> 619 2015-11-01  CPIAUCSL   238.017
#> 620 2015-12-01  CPIAUCSL   237.761
#> 621 2016-01-01  CPIAUCSL   237.652
#> 622 2016-02-01  CPIAUCSL   237.336
#> 623 2016-03-01  CPIAUCSL   238.080
#> 624 2016-04-01  CPIAUCSL   238.992
#> 625 2016-05-01  CPIAUCSL   239.557
#> 626 2016-06-01  CPIAUCSL   240.222
#> 627 2016-07-01  CPIAUCSL   240.101
#> 628 2016-08-01  CPIAUCSL   240.545
#> 629 2016-09-01  CPIAUCSL   241.176
#> 630 2016-10-01  CPIAUCSL   241.741
#> 631 2016-11-01  CPIAUCSL   242.026
#> 632 2016-12-01  CPIAUCSL   242.637
#> 633 2017-01-01  CPIAUCSL   243.618
#> 634 2017-02-01  CPIAUCSL   244.006
#> 635 2017-03-01  CPIAUCSL   243.892
#> 636 2017-04-01  CPIAUCSL   244.193
#> 637 2017-05-01  CPIAUCSL   244.004
#> 638 2017-06-01  CPIAUCSL   244.163
#> 639 2017-07-01  CPIAUCSL   244.243
#> 640 2017-08-01  CPIAUCSL   245.183
#> 641 2017-09-01  CPIAUCSL   246.435
#> 642 2017-10-01  CPIAUCSL   246.626
#> 643 2017-11-01  CPIAUCSL   247.284
#> 644 2017-12-01  CPIAUCSL   247.805
#> 645 2018-01-01  CPIAUCSL   248.859
#> 646 2018-02-01  CPIAUCSL   249.529
#> 647 2018-03-01  CPIAUCSL   249.577
#> 648 2018-04-01  CPIAUCSL   250.227
#> 649 2018-05-01  CPIAUCSL   250.792
#> 650 2018-06-01  CPIAUCSL   251.018
#> 651 2018-07-01  CPIAUCSL   251.214
#> 652 2018-08-01  CPIAUCSL   251.663
#> 653 2018-09-01  CPIAUCSL   252.182
#> 654 2018-10-01  CPIAUCSL   252.772
#> 655 2018-11-01  CPIAUCSL   252.594
#> 656 2018-12-01  CPIAUCSL   252.767
#> 657 2019-01-01  CPIAUCSL   252.561
#> 658 2019-02-01  CPIAUCSL   253.319
#> 659 2019-03-01  CPIAUCSL   254.277
#> 660 2019-04-01  CPIAUCSL   255.233
#> 661 2019-05-01  CPIAUCSL   255.296
#> 662 2019-06-01  CPIAUCSL   255.213
#> 663 2019-07-01  CPIAUCSL   255.802
#> 664 2019-08-01  CPIAUCSL   256.036
#> 665 2019-09-01  CPIAUCSL   256.430
#> 666 2019-10-01  CPIAUCSL   257.155
#> 667 2019-11-01  CPIAUCSL   257.879
#> 668 2019-12-01  CPIAUCSL   258.630
#> 669 2020-01-01  CPIAUCSL   259.127
#> 670 2020-02-01  CPIAUCSL   259.250
#> 671 2020-03-01  CPIAUCSL   258.076
#> 672 2020-04-01  CPIAUCSL   256.032
#> 673 2020-05-01  CPIAUCSL   255.802
#> 674 2020-06-01  CPIAUCSL   257.042
#> 675 2020-07-01  CPIAUCSL   258.352
#> 676 2020-08-01  CPIAUCSL   259.316
#> 677 2020-09-01  CPIAUCSL   259.997
#> 678 2020-10-01  CPIAUCSL   260.319
#> 679 2020-11-01  CPIAUCSL   260.911
#> 680 2020-12-01  CPIAUCSL   262.045
#> 681 2021-01-01  CPIAUCSL   262.687
#> 682 2021-02-01  CPIAUCSL   263.579
#> 683 2021-03-01  CPIAUCSL   264.961
#> 684 2021-04-01  CPIAUCSL   266.614
#> 685 2021-05-01  CPIAUCSL   268.383
#> 686 2021-06-01  CPIAUCSL   270.654
#> 687 2021-07-01  CPIAUCSL   271.903
#> 688 2021-08-01  CPIAUCSL   272.676
#> 689 2021-09-01  CPIAUCSL   273.910
#> 690 2021-10-01  CPIAUCSL   276.550
#> 691 2021-11-01  CPIAUCSL   278.919
#> 692 2021-12-01  CPIAUCSL   280.845
#> 693 2022-01-01  CPIAUCSL   282.543
#> 694 2022-02-01  CPIAUCSL   284.500
#> 695 2022-03-01  CPIAUCSL   287.674
#> 696 2022-04-01  CPIAUCSL   288.561
#> 697 2022-05-01  CPIAUCSL   291.298
#> 698 2022-06-01  CPIAUCSL   294.957
#> 699 2022-07-01  CPIAUCSL   294.913
#> 700 2022-08-01  CPIAUCSL   295.097
#> 701 2022-09-01  CPIAUCSL   296.349
#> 702 2022-10-01  CPIAUCSL   298.007
#> 703 2022-11-01  CPIAUCSL   298.786
#> 704 2022-12-01  CPIAUCSL   298.832
#> 705 2023-01-01  CPIAUCSL   300.420
#> 706 2023-02-01  CPIAUCSL   301.450
#> 707 2023-03-01  CPIAUCSL   301.821
#> 708 2023-04-01  CPIAUCSL   302.845
#> 709 2023-05-01  CPIAUCSL   303.334
#> 710 2023-06-01  CPIAUCSL   304.014
#> 711 2023-07-01  CPIAUCSL   304.609
#> 712 2023-08-01  CPIAUCSL   306.082
#> 713 2023-09-01  CPIAUCSL   307.276
#> 714 2023-10-01  CPIAUCSL   307.696
#> 715 2023-11-01  CPIAUCSL   308.148
#> 716 2023-12-01  CPIAUCSL   308.741
#> 717 2024-01-01  CPIAUCSL   309.698
#> 718 2024-02-01  CPIAUCSL   310.967
#> 719 2024-03-01  CPIAUCSL   312.345
#> 720 2024-04-01  CPIAUCSL   313.023
#> 721 2024-05-01  CPIAUCSL   313.175
#> 722 2024-06-01  CPIAUCSL   313.044
#> 723 2024-07-01  CPIAUCSL   313.569
#> 724 2024-08-01  CPIAUCSL   314.062
#> 725 2024-09-01  CPIAUCSL   314.732
#> 726 2024-10-01  CPIAUCSL   315.631
#> 727 2024-11-01  CPIAUCSL   316.528
#> 728 2024-12-01  CPIAUCSL   317.604
#> 729 2025-01-01  CPIAUCSL   318.961
#> 730 2025-02-01  CPIAUCSL   319.679
#> 731 2025-03-01  CPIAUCSL   319.785
#> 732 2025-04-01  CPIAUCSL   320.302
#> 733 2025-05-01  CPIAUCSL   320.620
#> 734 2025-06-01  CPIAUCSL   321.435
#> 735 2025-07-01  CPIAUCSL   322.169
#> 736 2025-08-01  CPIAUCSL   323.291
#> 737 2025-09-01  CPIAUCSL   324.245
#> 738 2025-10-01  CPIAUCSL        NA
#> 739 2025-11-01  CPIAUCSL   325.063
#> 740 2025-12-01  CPIAUCSL   326.031
#> 741 2026-01-01  CPIAUCSL   326.588
#> 742 2026-02-01  CPIAUCSL   327.460
#> 743 2026-03-01  CPIAUCSL   330.293
#> 744 2026-04-01  CPIAUCSL   332.407
#> 745 2026-05-01  CPIAUCSL   333.979
#> 746 2026-06-01  CPIAUCSL   332.568
#> 747 2026-07-01  CPIAUCSL   332.813
#> 748 2026-08-01  CPIAUCSL   334.131
#> 749 2026-09-01  CPIAUCSL   336.298

The print header tells you immediately what you are looking at: three series, how many rows, which transformation was applied, the frequency, and any vintage information. Underneath, panel is a plain data frame.

Transformations

For inflation and growth analyses, raw levels are usually less useful than year-on-year percent change. Pass a readable transform rather than the raw FRED units code:

growth_panel <- fred_series(
  c("GDPC1", "CPIAUCSL"),
  from = "2010-01-01",
  transform = "yoy_pct"
)
growth_panel
#> # FRED: 2 series · 268 obs · units=pc1 · transform=yoy_pct
#>           date series_id    value
#> 1   2010-01-01     GDPC1  1.74527
#> 2   2010-04-01     GDPC1  2.91360
#> 3   2010-07-01     GDPC1  3.34421
#> 4   2010-10-01     GDPC1  2.77596
#> 5   2011-01-01     GDPC1  2.03780
#> 6   2011-04-01     GDPC1  1.74371
#> 7   2011-07-01     GDPC1  0.94265
#> 8   2011-10-01     GDPC1  1.54308
#> 9   2012-01-01     GDPC1  2.63807
#> 10  2012-04-01     GDPC1  2.40334
#> 11  2012-07-01     GDPC1  2.57371
#> 12  2012-10-01     GDPC1  1.55185
#> 13  2013-01-01     GDPC1  1.70087
#> 14  2013-04-01     GDPC1  1.51994
#> 15  2013-07-01     GDPC1  2.23702
#> 16  2013-10-01     GDPC1  3.00914
#> 17  2014-01-01     GDPC1  1.65082
#> 18  2014-04-01     GDPC1  2.68915
#> 19  2014-07-01     GDPC1  3.05978
#> 20  2014-10-01     GDPC1  2.68584
#> 21  2015-01-01     GDPC1  3.96930
#> 22  2015-04-01     GDPC1  3.27909
#> 23  2015-07-01     GDPC1  2.44732
#> 24  2015-10-01     GDPC1  2.11986
#> 25  2016-01-01     GDPC1  1.79502
#> 26  2016-04-01     GDPC1  1.49325
#> 27  2016-07-01     GDPC1  1.80576
#> 28  2016-10-01     GDPC1  2.18157
#> 29  2017-01-01     GDPC1  2.08746
#> 30  2017-04-01     GDPC1  2.33041
#> 31  2017-07-01     GDPC1  2.41082
#> 32  2017-10-01     GDPC1  2.99414
#> 33  2018-01-01     GDPC1  3.32881
#> 34  2018-04-01     GDPC1  3.29896
#> 35  2018-07-01     GDPC1  3.13003
#> 36  2018-10-01     GDPC1  2.12511
#> 37  2019-01-01     GDPC1  1.93356
#> 38  2019-04-01     GDPC1  2.24213
#> 39  2019-07-01     GDPC1  2.79722
#> 40  2019-10-01     GDPC1  3.35178
#> 41  2020-01-01     GDPC1  1.35854
#> 42  2020-04-01     GDPC1 -7.39861
#> 43  2020-07-01     GDPC1 -1.36467
#> 44  2020-10-01     GDPC1 -0.92222
#> 45  2021-01-01     GDPC1  1.91899
#> 46  2021-04-01     GDPC1 12.55942
#> 47  2021-07-01     GDPC1  5.26679
#> 48  2021-10-01     GDPC1  5.81824
#> 49  2022-01-01     GDPC1  3.97535
#> 50  2022-04-01     GDPC1  2.33870
#> 51  2022-07-01     GDPC1  2.23047
#> 52  2022-10-01     GDPC1  1.23130
#> 53  2023-01-01     GDPC1  2.32964
#> 54  2023-04-01     GDPC1  2.73597
#> 55  2023-07-01     GDPC1  3.18387
#> 56  2023-10-01     GDPC1  3.41543
#> 57  2024-01-01     GDPC1  2.93467
#> 58  2024-04-01     GDPC1  3.28874
#> 59  2024-07-01     GDPC1  2.94787
#> 60  2024-10-01     GDPC1  2.64187
#> 61  2025-01-01     GDPC1  2.31112
#> 62  2025-04-01     GDPC1  2.42061
#> 63  2025-07-01     GDPC1  2.60068
#> 64  2025-10-01     GDPC1  2.04604
#> 65  2026-01-01     GDPC1  2.63917
#> 66  2026-04-01     GDPC1  2.19157
#> 67  2026-07-01     GDPC1  2.06574
#> 68  2010-01-01  CPIAUCSL  2.62111
#> 69  2010-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.15134
#> 70  2010-03-01  CPIAUCSL  2.28617
#> 71  2010-04-01  CPIAUCSL  2.20677
#> 72  2010-05-01  CPIAUCSL  2.00355
#> 73  2010-06-01  CPIAUCSL  1.12156
#> 74  2010-07-01  CPIAUCSL  1.34078
#> 75  2010-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.15018
#> 76  2010-09-01  CPIAUCSL  1.11831
#> 77  2010-10-01  CPIAUCSL  1.16670
#> 78  2010-11-01  CPIAUCSL  1.08454
#> 79  2010-12-01  CPIAUCSL  1.43779
#> 80  2011-01-01  CPIAUCSL  1.70078
#> 81  2011-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.12490
#> 82  2011-03-01  CPIAUCSL  2.61924
#> 83  2011-04-01  CPIAUCSL  3.07723
#> 84  2011-05-01  CPIAUCSL  3.45897
#> 85  2011-06-01  CPIAUCSL  3.50232
#> 86  2011-07-01  CPIAUCSL  3.57988
#> 87  2011-08-01  CPIAUCSL  3.75500
#> 88  2011-09-01  CPIAUCSL  3.81262
#> 89  2011-10-01  CPIAUCSL  3.52227
#> 90  2011-11-01  CPIAUCSL  3.45143
#> 91  2011-12-01  CPIAUCSL  3.06207
#> 92  2012-01-01  CPIAUCSL  3.00877
#> 93  2012-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.89818
#> 94  2012-03-01  CPIAUCSL  2.58288
#> 95  2012-04-01  CPIAUCSL  2.27316
#> 96  2012-05-01  CPIAUCSL  1.73794
#> 97  2012-06-01  CPIAUCSL  1.65387
#> 98  2012-07-01  CPIAUCSL  1.41751
#> 99  2012-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.68593
#> 100 2012-09-01  CPIAUCSL  1.94972
#> 101 2012-10-01  CPIAUCSL  2.15568
#> 102 2012-11-01  CPIAUCSL  1.79602
#> 103 2012-12-01  CPIAUCSL  1.75950
#> 104 2013-01-01  CPIAUCSL  1.68406
#> 105 2013-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.01814
#> 106 2013-03-01  CPIAUCSL  1.51875
#> 107 2013-04-01  CPIAUCSL  1.13881
#> 108 2013-05-01  CPIAUCSL  1.39039
#> 109 2013-06-01  CPIAUCSL  1.71579
#> 110 2013-07-01  CPIAUCSL  1.88547
#> 111 2013-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.53881
#> 112 2013-09-01  CPIAUCSL  1.09473
#> 113 2013-10-01  CPIAUCSL  0.87680
#> 114 2013-11-01  CPIAUCSL  1.23287
#> 115 2013-12-01  CPIAUCSL  1.51284
#> 116 2014-01-01  CPIAUCSL  1.55776
#> 117 2014-02-01  CPIAUCSL  1.12047
#> 118 2014-03-01  CPIAUCSL  1.61269
#> 119 2014-04-01  CPIAUCSL  2.01513
#> 120 2014-05-01  CPIAUCSL  2.16695
#> 121 2014-06-01  CPIAUCSL  2.05898
#> 122 2014-07-01  CPIAUCSL  1.97424
#> 123 2014-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.71510
#> 124 2014-09-01  CPIAUCSL  1.68405
#> 125 2014-10-01  CPIAUCSL  1.60954
#> 126 2014-11-01  CPIAUCSL  1.23152
#> 127 2014-12-01  CPIAUCSL  0.65312
#> 128 2015-01-01  CPIAUCSL -0.22993
#> 129 2015-02-01  CPIAUCSL -0.08703
#> 130 2015-03-01  CPIAUCSL -0.02203
#> 131 2015-04-01  CPIAUCSL -0.10403
#> 132 2015-05-01  CPIAUCSL  0.03503
#> 133 2015-06-01  CPIAUCSL  0.17957
#> 134 2015-07-01  CPIAUCSL  0.22569
#> 135 2015-08-01  CPIAUCSL  0.24130
#> 136 2015-09-01  CPIAUCSL  0.00884
#> 137 2015-10-01  CPIAUCSL  0.12762
#> 138 2015-11-01  CPIAUCSL  0.43632
#> 139 2015-12-01  CPIAUCSL  0.63872
#> 140 2016-01-01  CPIAUCSL  1.23750
#> 141 2016-02-01  CPIAUCSL  0.84728
#> 142 2016-03-01  CPIAUCSL  0.89162
#> 143 2016-04-01  CPIAUCSL  1.17263
#> 144 2016-05-01  CPIAUCSL  1.07848
#> 145 2016-06-01  CPIAUCSL  1.07929
#> 146 2016-07-01  CPIAUCSL  0.86836
#> 147 2016-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.05532
#> 148 2016-09-01  CPIAUCSL  1.54864
#> 149 2016-10-01  CPIAUCSL  1.68592
#> 150 2016-11-01  CPIAUCSL  1.68433
#> 151 2016-12-01  CPIAUCSL  2.05080
#> 152 2017-01-01  CPIAUCSL  2.51039
#> 153 2017-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.81036
#> 154 2017-03-01  CPIAUCSL  2.44120
#> 155 2017-04-01  CPIAUCSL  2.17622
#> 156 2017-05-01  CPIAUCSL  1.85634
#> 157 2017-06-01  CPIAUCSL  1.64057
#> 158 2017-07-01  CPIAUCSL  1.72511
#> 159 2017-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.92812
#> 160 2017-09-01  CPIAUCSL  2.18057
#> 161 2017-10-01  CPIAUCSL  2.02076
#> 162 2017-11-01  CPIAUCSL  2.17249
#> 163 2017-12-01  CPIAUCSL  2.12993
#> 164 2018-01-01  CPIAUCSL  2.15132
#> 165 2018-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.26347
#> 166 2018-03-01  CPIAUCSL  2.33095
#> 167 2018-04-01  CPIAUCSL  2.47100
#> 168 2018-05-01  CPIAUCSL  2.78192
#> 169 2018-06-01  CPIAUCSL  2.80755
#> 170 2018-07-01  CPIAUCSL  2.85412
#> 171 2018-08-01  CPIAUCSL  2.64292
#> 172 2018-09-01  CPIAUCSL  2.33206
#> 173 2018-10-01  CPIAUCSL  2.49203
#> 174 2018-11-01  CPIAUCSL  2.14733
#> 175 2018-12-01  CPIAUCSL  2.00238
#> 176 2019-01-01  CPIAUCSL  1.48759
#> 177 2019-02-01  CPIAUCSL  1.51886
#> 178 2019-03-01  CPIAUCSL  1.88319
#> 179 2019-04-01  CPIAUCSL  2.00058
#> 180 2019-05-01  CPIAUCSL  1.79591
#> 181 2019-06-01  CPIAUCSL  1.67119
#> 182 2019-07-01  CPIAUCSL  1.82633
#> 183 2019-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.73764
#> 184 2019-09-01  CPIAUCSL  1.68450
#> 185 2019-10-01  CPIAUCSL  1.73397
#> 186 2019-11-01  CPIAUCSL  2.09229
#> 187 2019-12-01  CPIAUCSL  2.31953
#> 188 2020-01-01  CPIAUCSL  2.59977
#> 189 2020-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.34132
#> 190 2020-03-01  CPIAUCSL  1.49404
#> 191 2020-04-01  CPIAUCSL  0.31305
#> 192 2020-05-01  CPIAUCSL  0.19820
#> 193 2020-06-01  CPIAUCSL  0.71666
#> 194 2020-07-01  CPIAUCSL  0.99686
#> 195 2020-08-01  CPIAUCSL  1.28107
#> 196 2020-09-01  CPIAUCSL  1.39102
#> 197 2020-10-01  CPIAUCSL  1.23039
#> 198 2020-11-01  CPIAUCSL  1.17575
#> 199 2020-12-01  CPIAUCSL  1.32042
#> 200 2021-01-01  CPIAUCSL  1.37384
#> 201 2021-02-01  CPIAUCSL  1.66982
#> 202 2021-03-01  CPIAUCSL  2.66782
#> 203 2021-04-01  CPIAUCSL  4.13308
#> 204 2021-05-01  CPIAUCSL  4.91826
#> 205 2021-06-01  CPIAUCSL  5.29563
#> 206 2021-07-01  CPIAUCSL  5.24517
#> 207 2021-08-01  CPIAUCSL  5.15202
#> 208 2021-09-01  CPIAUCSL  5.35122
#> 209 2021-10-01  CPIAUCSL  6.23504
#> 210 2021-11-01  CPIAUCSL  6.90197
#> 211 2021-12-01  CPIAUCSL  7.17434
#> 212 2022-01-01  CPIAUCSL  7.55881
#> 213 2022-02-01  CPIAUCSL  7.93728
#> 214 2022-03-01  CPIAUCSL  8.57220
#> 215 2022-04-01  CPIAUCSL  8.23175
#> 216 2022-05-01  CPIAUCSL  8.53817
#> 217 2022-06-01  CPIAUCSL  8.97936
#> 218 2022-07-01  CPIAUCSL  8.46258
#> 219 2022-08-01  CPIAUCSL  8.22258
#> 220 2022-09-01  CPIAUCSL  8.19211
#> 221 2022-10-01  CPIAUCSL  7.75881
#> 222 2022-11-01  CPIAUCSL  7.12286
#> 223 2022-12-01  CPIAUCSL  6.40460
#> 224 2023-01-01  CPIAUCSL  6.32718
#> 225 2023-02-01  CPIAUCSL  5.95782
#> 226 2023-03-01  CPIAUCSL  4.91772
#> 227 2023-04-01  CPIAUCSL  4.95008
#> 228 2023-05-01  CPIAUCSL  4.13185
#> 229 2023-06-01  CPIAUCSL  3.07062
#> 230 2023-07-01  CPIAUCSL  3.28775
#> 231 2023-08-01  CPIAUCSL  3.72250
#> 232 2023-09-01  CPIAUCSL  3.68721
#> 233 2023-10-01  CPIAUCSL  3.25127
#> 234 2023-11-01  CPIAUCSL  3.13335
#> 235 2023-12-01  CPIAUCSL  3.31591
#> 236 2024-01-01  CPIAUCSL  3.08834
#> 237 2024-02-01  CPIAUCSL  3.15707
#> 238 2024-03-01  CPIAUCSL  3.48683
#> 239 2024-04-01  CPIAUCSL  3.36080
#> 240 2024-05-01  CPIAUCSL  3.24428
#> 241 2024-06-01  CPIAUCSL  2.97026
#> 242 2024-07-01  CPIAUCSL  2.94148
#> 243 2024-08-01  CPIAUCSL  2.60714
#> 244 2024-09-01  CPIAUCSL  2.42648
#> 245 2024-10-01  CPIAUCSL  2.57884
#> 246 2024-11-01  CPIAUCSL  2.71947
#> 247 2024-12-01  CPIAUCSL  2.87069
#> 248 2025-01-01  CPIAUCSL  2.99098
#> 249 2025-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.80158
#> 250 2025-03-01  CPIAUCSL  2.38198
#> 251 2025-04-01  CPIAUCSL  2.32539
#> 252 2025-05-01  CPIAUCSL  2.37727
#> 253 2025-06-01  CPIAUCSL  2.68045
#> 254 2025-07-01  CPIAUCSL  2.74262
#> 255 2025-08-01  CPIAUCSL  2.93859
#> 256 2025-09-01  CPIAUCSL  3.02257
#> 257 2025-10-01  CPIAUCSL       NA
#> 258 2025-11-01  CPIAUCSL  2.69644
#> 259 2025-12-01  CPIAUCSL  2.65330
#> 260 2026-01-01  CPIAUCSL  2.39120
#> 261 2026-02-01  CPIAUCSL  2.43400
#> 262 2026-03-01  CPIAUCSL  3.28596
#> 263 2026-04-01  CPIAUCSL  3.77925
#> 264 2026-05-01  CPIAUCSL  4.16661
#> 265 2026-06-01  CPIAUCSL  3.46353
#> 266 2026-07-01  CPIAUCSL  3.30386
#> 267 2026-08-01  CPIAUCSL  3.35302
#> 268 2026-09-01  CPIAUCSL  3.71725

transform and units are mutually exclusive. The full list of readable aliases lives in ?fred_series. Server-side transforms avoid a manual diff(log(x)) step and ensure the result matches what FRED itself shows.

Wide format for cross-series work

For correlation matrices, scatter plots, or regression input, wide is more convenient than long.

wide <- fred_series(
  c("UNRATE", "CIVPART", "EMRATIO"),
  from = "2000-01-01",
  format = "wide"
)
head(wide)
#> # FRED: 3 series · 6 obs
#>         date UNRATE CIVPART EMRATIO
#> 1 2000-01-01    4.0    67.3    64.6
#> 2 2000-02-01    4.1    67.3    64.6
#> 3 2000-03-01    4.0    67.3    64.6
#> 4 2000-04-01    3.8    67.3    64.7
#> 5 2000-05-01    4.0    67.1    64.4
#> 6 2000-06-01    4.0    67.1    64.5

Default plot

The default plot.fred_tbl() method handles long and wide format automatically and shades NBER recessions when the date range overlaps one.

plot(growth_panel, ylab = "% YoY")

plot(wide, ylab = "%", main = "US labour market")

Pass recessions = FALSE to switch off shading. Pass a col = vector of length equal to the number of series to override the default palette.

A starting catalogue

If you cannot remember a series ID, fred_catalogue() ships a curated offline reference of around 50 widely used series:

fred_catalogue(category = "Inflation")
#> # FRED: catalogue · 6 rows
#>         id                                                     title frequency
#> 1 CPIAUCSL                    CPI for All Urban Consumers: All Items         M
#> 2 CPILFESL         CPI for All Urban Consumers: Less Food and Energy         M
#> 3    PCEPI Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index         M
#> 4 PCEPILFE     PCE Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index         M
#> 5   PPIACO        Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities         M
#> 6   T10YIE                          10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate         D
#>               units  category                               description
#> 1 Index 1982-84=100 Inflation     BLS headline CPI, seasonally adjusted
#> 2 Index 1982-84=100 Inflation                              BLS core CPI
#> 3    Index 2017=100 Inflation                 BEA headline PCE deflator
#> 4    Index 2017=100 Inflation        BEA core PCE deflator (Fed target)
#> 5    Index 1982=100 Inflation                   BLS PPI all commodities
#> 6           Percent Inflation Market-implied 10y inflation expectations

Filtering with query = does a case-insensitive substring match against the ID, title, and description:

fred_catalogue(query = "mortgage")
#> # FRED: catalogue · 1 row
#>             id                               title frequency   units
#> 1 MORTGAGE30US 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average         W Percent
#>         category                        description
#> 1 Interest Rates Freddie Mac PMMS 30y mortgage rate

For the FRED category tree, use fred_browse(). With no arguments it shows the eight top-level categories from a static reference (no API call):

fred_browse()
#> FRED top-level categories
#> -------------------------
#>    32991  Money, Banking, & Finance
#>       10  Population, Employment, & Labor Markets
#>    32992  National Accounts
#>        1  Production & Business Activity
#>    32455  Prices
#>    32263  International Data
#>     3008  U.S. Regional Data
#>    33060  Academic Data
#> 
#> Use fred_browse(id) to drill into a category.

Pass a category ID to drill into its children (this hits the API and is cached).

Where to next

Real-time and vintages: see vignette("nowcasting-with-fred") for a pseudo-real-time GDP nowcasting backtest.
Inflation revisions: see vignette("inflation-revisions") for tracking how core inflation estimates change with revisions.
Reproducibility: combine fred_cite_series() and fred_manifest() to pin every series your analysis depends on.

These binaries (installable software) and packages are in development.
They may not be fully stable and should be used with caution. We make no claims about them.
Health stats visible at Monitor.