Adding Geographic Information to a Dataset

In order to display your data on a map, it must be geographically linked. That is, each of your data entries needs to have a where.

There are three ways to do this within Insight. The first is to have point coordinates in your file, a.k.a. latitude and longitude. Secondly, you could take address information from your dataset and use our internal geocoder during import to add point information. Otherwise, you can use the name, abbreviation, or postal code of a location that will then be matched with an existing shape, line, or point. Lastly, you can add your own shape data.

If you uploaded a shapefile, this information is already taken care of. But if you want to upload a csv or other file without explicit coordinate information, you'll need to tell Insight what column contains your geographic data.

You'll have a chance to do this during step 3 of the import process, which is where you'll set data types. Use the drop down menu entitled "Select Geographic Data" to select what kind of geographic notation you will use.

"Select attributes for latitude and longitude points"

If you'll be using latitude and longitude to place your points select this option from the menu. Then you will specify your latitude and longitude columns. You should note that all coordinates need to be in decimal notation, not degrees/minutes/seconds.

After your import your data will be visualized as a series of geographical points.

"Select Attributes to Geocode"

If you have address information, but no latitude information, you can use the internal geocoder during import to add point information. Once you select this option, you'll be able to match address, city, state, and zip information with the attributes in your dataset. State names can either be abbreviations or full names.

If you don't have complete address data, but just state or zip code information the geocoder will still work. The points will be less precise than addresses with full address information, but they will allow you to visualize your data.

Address geocoding works only for U.S. addresses at this time.

"Match an attribute to copy shapes from another dataset"

If you're going to use the name of a location you can match it to an existing dataset with shape data. Insight has several options for matching if you don't have your own shape file, including countries of the world, US counties, and US states.

Select the attribute from your chosen dataset that you want to match to. Then select the corresponding attribute in your dataset.

"Create a new attribute for geography"
If you want to add your own shape, line or point data to a dataset this is the option to choose. A new attribute will be appended to your dataset and be editable when adding or modifying records.