A review with 351 references. It collects the N-15 and P-31 NMR data for ca. 390 and ca. 340, respectively, complexes of transition metal ions such as Ni(0), Pd(0), Pt(0), Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), Pd(IV), Pt(IV), Co(-1), Rh(-1), Rh(I), Co(III), Rh(III), 1011), Fe(-2), Ru(-2), Fe(ll), Ru(II), Os(II), Cu(I), Ag(I), Au(I), Au(III), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) with nitrogen-containing heterocycles (azines, azoles and azoloazines like purines or 1,2,4-triazolo-[1,501-pyrimidines), and their phosphorus analogues (phosphinines and phospholes). The 15N and 31P NMR coordination shifts, that is, the differences between 15N or 31P chemical shifts of the same nitrogen or phosphorus in the molecules of the complex and the ligand ((Delta(15N)(coord) = delta(15N)(compl)-, -delta(15N)(lig): Delta(31P)(coord)= -delta(31P)(lig)), have been discussed in relation to some structural features of the reviewed coordination compounds, mainly to the type of the metal central ion and the donor atom in trans-position in respect to the concerned N-15 or P-31 nucleus.