OpenBB-finance/OpenBB · error · OpenBBError

Could not determine dataflow from symbol.

Error message

Could not determine dataflow from symbol.

What it means

Error "Could not determine dataflow from symbol." thrown in OpenBB-finance/OpenBB.

Source

Thrown at openbb_platform/providers/imf/openbb_imf/models/economic_indicators.py:703

            for dv in query.dimension_values:
                # Each dv should be "DIMENSION:VALUE"
                if not dv or not isinstance(dv, str):
                    continue
                # Handle comma-separated pairs in a single string
                pairs = [p.strip() for p in dv.split(",") if p.strip()]
                for pair in pairs:
                    if ":" in pair:
                        dim_id, dim_value = pair.split(":", 1)
                        # Uppercase both dimension ID and value for IMF API
                        extra_dimensions[dim_id.strip().upper()] = (
                            dim_value.strip().upper()
                        )

        if query._is_table:
            # Table mode: use ImfTableBuilder (single dataflow only)
            dataflow = query._dataflow
            if not dataflow:
                raise OpenBBError("Could not determine dataflow from symbol.")

            params: dict[str, Any] = {
                "COUNTRY": countries_str,
                "FREQUENCY": frequency,
            }

            # Handle special dimensions for certain dataflows
            # GFS dataflows: GFS_BS, GFS_SOO, GFS_COFOG, GFS_SFCP, GFS_SSUC, QGFS
            if dataflow.startswith("GFS_") or dataflow == "QGFS":
                params["SECTOR"] = "*"
                params["GFS_GRP"] = "*"
            elif dataflow.startswith("FSIC") or dataflow == "IRFCL":
                params["SECTOR"] = "*"
            elif dataflow.startswith("BOP") or dataflow == "DIP":
                params["TYPE_OF_TRANSFORMATION"] = "*"
            elif dataflow == "ISORA_LATEST_DATA_PUB":
                params["INDICATOR"] = "*"

View on GitHub (pinned to 3e071fcc2c)

Solutions

1. Provide the dataflow explicitly or use a symbol in 'dataflow::identifier' format.
2. Verify the symbol is correctly formatted.

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at openbb_platform/providers/imf/openbb_imf/models/economic_indicators.py:703 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of OpenBB-finance/OpenBB@3e071fcc2c (2026-08-14). Data as JSON: /api/errors/bb605485a01af63c. Report an issue: GitHub.