Using Excel Data to Colour a Map

The excel import facility is used to create complicated automatically and as easily as possible.

There are three methods of importing data into the system.

Uploading a csv, text or excel file directly.
Using sample system generated data.
Pasting data directly into the edit boxes.

Uploading a csv, text or excel file directly.

Uploading excel data will invoke an ‘Open Files’ dialog box where you can select your own file to upload. Ensuring the file is correctly formatted will result in fewer validation errors and make for a speedier import.

When a file has been selected, the data will be loaded into the system and some pre-validation will be done in order to fill the text entry boxes with the contents of the file.

The notification boxes at the bottom of the window will show a count of the number of records extracted from the file.

If your spreadsheet has column headings which aren’t part of the dataset then you should tick this box so they are not included in the validation.

You should format the data in your spreadsheet prior to uploading it in the following way(with or without the column headings). Postcodes can be entered in full or short and are NOT case sensitive. Headings should be the same as each other and capitalisation should be consistent. E.g. “Andrew” and “andrew” will create 2 separate zone names.

Entering data manually into the edit boxes

You can type postcodes directly into the postcode edit box and the zone names into the headings box. Hitting return doesn’t submit the data it takes you on to the next line in the same way as a word processor. The same rules for formatting the data apply as they do when uploading your own spreadsheet file.

Copy data from an excel spreadsheet and past it into the postcode and headings boxes. Ensure the number of rows in each column are the same and the correct postcode is aligned with the correct heading. This is the default quickest way to get some data into the system.

Validate Data

Use the check data button when you’ve entered or uploaded some data into the edit boxes. The system may take a few seconds to process your data depending on the amount of information entered. A spinning progress wheel may appear while the system is working.

When validation has been completed the status boxes will show the results of the validation process. If everything was completed successfully then the status boxes will look like this. If there were errors you are given a chance to correct them manually or upload an amended spreadsheet.

After validation has been completed successfully, the Export CSV and Create Map buttons will be activated.

If you’ve made changes to your data in order to have it validate correctly you can download a fully validated version with the Export CSV button. This will download the excel file into your browsers downloads folder.

To go ahead and create your map using the imported and validated data, clicking the Create Map button will take you straight to the map page, colour the map and populate the legend/key.

It is possible that the order of the names in the legend are not ideal. You can change this before exporting or creating the map but after validation has been completed. In the third column you can click on a name and drag it above or below other names in order to change the location of the name in the legend. This will show on the map and in the exported CSV file. You can also delete an entire name and its associated postcode data from the import by clicking the cross next to the zone name.

Reset Data becomes active when there is data in both the edit boxes. Clicking this will delete the data in both boxes and reset the status of all buttons.

Excel Import / Export

Import/Export excel Data opens a dialog that enables the user to carry out numerous actions on excel postcode data.

Export Excel Data saves the map data as a comma separated excel spreadsheet (CSV file).

Inset excel chart isn’t active at this time. You will be able to insert a chart into a map and create a chart based on the way a map has been coloured already.