MapInfo Training

Concepts & Definitions

MapInfo Training Course

There are 3 Sections to this course 1. Concepts & Definitions
Coordinate Systems Projections Introducing MapInfo

2. MapInfo Training Part 1: Basics

Tables Maps Layouts

3. MapInfo Training Part 2: Advanced

Thematic Maps Selections Queries Sample Application

What is GIS?
GIS Refers to software tools which use spatial / geographic techniques to visualize and analyze data Typically, GIS is used to relate different types of geographic data.
o Polygons (e.g. counties) o lines (e.g. rivers or utility lines) o points (e.g. population centers)

This information can then be geographically identified and related

Spatial relationships between data translate to mathematical expressions and can be evaluated by GIS tools

What GIS is NOT!

GIS is not equivalent to digital mapping There are better programs available (i.e. Adobe Freehand or Illustrator) for creating presentation quality digital maps Questions such as Which county has the highest population? can be answered by a database Questions such as Which county has the highest density of potential customers within 5 miles of potential radio sites? use GIS

Coordinate Systems
A coordinate system is used to create a numerical representation of geometric objects. Each point in a geometric object is represented by a pair of numbers. Those numbers are the coordinates for that point. In cartography*, coordinate systems are closely related to projections. You create a coordinate system by supplying specific values for the parameters of a projection.

* Cartography is the art and science of making maps. In GIS it is the graphic presentation and visual interpretation of data.

Coordinate Systems
Latitude The North-South position of a point The Y-Axis Measured in degrees or decimal degrees above or below the equator. Latitude lines are the horizontal lines on a map Latitude lines increase from 0 degrees at the Equator to 90 degrees at both the North (+90.0 degrees) and South (-90.0 degrees) poles.

Lines of Latitude

(+) 41 12 23

(-) 41 12 23
S

Equator

Coordinate Systems
Longitude Used to describe the East West position of a point The X-Axis It is reported as the number of degrees East (to 180.0 degrees) or west (to +180.0 degrees) of the Prime Meridian (0 degrees) Represented by vertical lines running from North to South. Lines of Longitude are farthest apart at the Equator and intersect at both poles, and are therefore not parallel.

Lines of Longitude
Prime Meridian N

(-) 76 02 14

(+) 76 02 14

Converting Lat & Longs

MapInfo uses Latitude and Longitude coordinates in the decimal degrees format.

30 minutes = half a degree 30 seconds = half a minute

Latitude (+) 41 12 23
41 Degrees 12 Minutes 23 Seconds 41 + (12 Minutes / 60 Minutes) + (23 Seconds / 3600 Seconds) 41.206

Longitude (-) 76 02 14
-76 Degrees 2 Minutes 14 Seconds -76 + (2 Minutes / 60 Minutes) + (14 Seconds / 3600 Seconds) -76.037

Projections
A Projection is a mathematical model that translates the location of features on the Earths surface to locations on a twodimensional surface. All projections have a degree of distortion A map projection can preserve area, distance, shape or direction but only a globe can preserve everything! MapInfo has a wide range of projections for displaying maps, it defaults to Latitude / Longitude.

Projection Example

Examples of Projections
Some well known projections are: Mercator Produce maps suited for navigation Lambert Produce maps suited for visual analysis In MapInfo Latitude/Longitude NAD27 Bahamas, Cape etc.* Latitude/Longitude NAD83* Various other options

* Used by many Network Planning Software tools

What is MapInfo?
MapInfo Professional
Windows based Mapping (thematic) Can handle both Vector & Raster data Data Analysis SQL Query, Geographic Queries Imports/exports to many popular data formats Cartographic Legends Layout (Presentation) Graphing / Charting

Raster and Vector Data

Vector
Constructed by joining points with lines. Nodes are the start and end points, vertices are the points where there is a change of direction.

Raster
Pixels are used to represent features. Each pixel covers a set area of the ground, dependant upon resolution. Used mainly for representing areas.

What is it used for?

Areas of Application Marketing / Market Planning
o Locate customers / users, prioritize market launch

Strategic Planning
o Business case analysis, trending, forecasting

RF Engineering
o Enhance site selection / maximizing demographic coverage

Network Engineering
o Interconnect / backhaul planning

Maintenance / Optimization
o Analysis / Mapping of network problems, complaints

MapInfo Training

Part 1: Basics

Tables: Structure
Tables typically consist of between 3 and 4 files associated by MapInfo Tables can represent either raster data, vector data, or non-geographic data Tables can be in the native MapInfo format (.tab) or external formats opened in MapInfo (mdb, xls, dbf, jpg, gif) It is estimated that up to 85% of the Worlds databases contain some sort of Geographic information (lat/long, post code, etc.)

Tables: File Structure

Table definition, ASCII file containing structure (.tab)

File containing tabular data. (.dat, .xls, .dbf, etc)

OR

File containing raster data. (.bmp, .jpg, .gif, etc)

File containing graphical objects. (.map)

File cross-referencing tabular data with graphical objects. (.id)

File indexing tabular fields for searching. (.ind)

Tables: Opening
To open a file use the Open Table Dialog;
o Menu (File > Open..)

Default view is automatic, but this can be changed. When you open a file you register it with MapInfo as being open Just because there is no map or browser window open it does not mean that there are no files open!

Tables: Opening
The View Options Are:
o o o o o Automatic (Default) Browser Current Mapper New Mapper No View

Automatic setting is quite intelligent and will be fine for most uses. Double-click a file name to open, or select the name and click the OK button.

Tables: Closing
Closing a window does NOT close a table! Tables remain open until you specifically tell MapInfo to close them This is done in one of two ways, depending on what you are trying to do

Closing Single Tables:

Menu (File > Close Table)

Closing All Tables:

Menu (File > Close All)

Tables: Saving
After editing tables you need to save the table in order to save your changes This is done by using the save dialog
o Menu (File > Save Table)

MapInfo will present a list of tables that have had changes done to them, select the table you wish to save from the list and click OK If no tables have been edited then the Save Table option in the File menu will be greyed out Before closing tables or exiting, MapInfo will warn you if there are any unsaved changes in tables.

Tables: Saving Copies Of

Occasionally you will need to save copies of tables This is especially true if you import tables that are not MapInfo native Before you can edit the structure of these tables they must be in a MapInfo native format Use the Save Copy Dialog to do this
o Menu (File > Save Copy As..)

MapInfo shows a list of all open tables Select the table you want to make a copy of Enter a location and file name in the dialog Click OK

Tables: Creating New

Sometimes it will be necessary to create your own blank tables, into which you can put your own data. This might be some new Cell sites that you want to plot Use the File > New Table menu option Select whether you want to open a browser or mapper, or both! Use a mapper if you will be drawing objects (such as point locations) Use a browser if you want to type data into a table (like a spreadsheet) The Create New Table Dialog will appear

Tables: New Table Dialog

Click the Add Field button Give the field a name Choose a field type (character, float, integer, etc) Enter a value for the maximum width of the fied Tick Table is mappable box (for map tables!) Choose a projection (default is Latitude / Longitude) Repeat for all fields Click create new Give it a file name Click OK

Tables: Viewing
To view the data in a table MapInfo uses Browser windows Browser windows show the data in a tabular format, much like a spreadsheet program (Excel)

Tables: Importing Files

MapInfo can open and view several different file types
o o o o o dBASE DBF (.dbf) Delimited ASCII (.txt) Lotus 123 (.wk1, .wks, .wk2, etc) Microsoft Excel (.xls) Microsoft Access Database (.mdb)

The method of opening varies with each file type The most common types viewed are Excel and ASCII

Tables: Important Issues

Opening a non MapInfo file format only allows you to view the data You cannot edit / map etc a non-native file format This method of opening is merely a dynamic link to the original file If you make changes to the original file then these changes would be reflected in MapInfo This method of file opening is good for viewing sample data To import the file you need to save a copy of the table as mentioned previously

Tables: Exporting
MapInfo can export its tables to the following formats:
o o o o MapInfo Interchange (.mif) Delimited ASCII (.txt) AutoCAD DXF (.dxf) dBASE DBF (.dbf)

The most common use of export is to text files, these can then be read by virtually any other program

Tables: Table Maintenance

It is very important to know how to maintain tables It allows you to:
o o o o Alter table structure Delete tables Rename tables Pack tables

The table maintenance options can be accessed via:

o Menu (Table > Maintenance)

This opens a sub menu containing the maintenance options

Tables: Structure Dialog

You can add, remove, or rename a tables fields You can also alter the position of fields in a table The properties of a field may also be altered (name, type, and width)

Tables: Deleting
Using this function will delete a table and all its associated files from your hard disk Accessed via:
o Menu (Table > Maintenance > Delete Table)

Can NOT be undone! Select the table to delete from the list that appears

Tables: Renaming
This option allows you to rename an open table It renames the table within MapInfo, and also renames all associated files Accessed via:
o Menu (Table > Maintenance > Rename Table)

Select table to rename from list that appears Give it a new file name in the save dialog Click Save All files are renamed and the tables entry in MapInfo is also renamed

Tables: Packing
When you delete a row from a table you only delete the data in that row You do NOT delete the actual row To delete empty rows from a table you must use the Pack Table function:
o Menu (Table > Maintenance > Pack Table)

Select the table to pack from the list Select the pack method Click OK

Tables: Pack Table Dialog

Pack Options 1. Pack Tabular Data
o Only packs the table

2. Pack Graphic Data

o Only packs graphical objects

3. Pack Both Types of Data

o Packs both tabular and graphical data

If your table is just tabular then use option 1, otherwise use option 3

Maps: Map Window

The map window is the fundamental view in MapInfo It allows a geographic view of data supporting many different projections Requires that your table has geographic objects

Maps: Objects
Hidden column in mappable tables called the obj column The obj is a symbolic link to the .map file of your table There are four basic types of map objects:
o Regions: Closed objects covering a given geography
Examples: Countries, Counties, Provinces

o Points: Single locations / Coordinates

Examples: City, Tower, Building

o Lines (Single, Arc, Poly): Open linear objects

Examples: Motorways, rivers

o Text: Text with geographic links

Example: Labels

Maps: Object Styles

Map objects have default styles saved to tables when created Typically when mapping, it is necessary to change these styles for esthetic reasons Changes can mean variations in color, fill, line thickness, or text style depending on the type of objects Global style changes (affecting all objects in a table) are set in layer control (Display Option) using a Style Override Permanent style changes can be made directly to an editable table, but not recommended Changes can also be made using Thematic Layers

Maps: Object Labelling

Each map object can be labeled Labels can be made automatically or manually Labels are typically based on tabular data Automatic labels created from label control, manual labels are set with the label tool (Main Button Pad) Label Styles set from Layer Control (Source, Font, Color, etc..)

* Note: Labels are not permanent additions to tables, they are merely annotations saved in the current session (saved in Workspaces)

Maps: Layer Control

Maps consist of tables displayed as layers Analogy: Each table can be viewed on a transparency, and these transparencies are then stacked to create a map Order of layers controls the appearance of your map Layers can be tables, thematic views of tables, or mapped queries The Layer Control dialog is a tool to help you manipulate your layers Accessed by:
o Menu (Map > Layer Control) o Right-Click in a map window > Layer Control

Maps: Layer Control Dialog

Allows you to:
o o o o o Add / Remove layers Change order of layers (influencing map composition) Change layers display properties Control layers labelling Turn layers on or off

Maps: Zooming & Panning

Zooming and Panning is easily controlled through buttons on the Main button pad Change View will allow you to set a specific zoom level and center for your map Grabber will let you pan your map manually

Zoom Out Zoom In

Change View
Grabber

Maps: Cosmetic Layers

Each map has a cosmetic layer by default, which serves as a scratch pad for temporary data You can use this layer to store map objects temporarily, with the ability to save or discard objects Objects in the cosmetic layer are saved in workspaces Objects in cosmetic layers are not by default saved to tables, they can be saved or discarded by selecting menu items from the Map menu

Maps: Saving Objects

As mentioned, objects in the cosmetic layer can be saved into their own table Accessed by:
o Menu (Map > Save Cosmetic Objects)

In the save dialog that appears choose a location and name to save the table to Click OK The table will be added to MapInfos list of current tables

Layouts: Description
Layout Windows are a page layout feature which allows the user to arrange map, browser, and graph windows along with annotations and prepare for printing
o Layout Windows are the preferred method of printing from MapInfo o Layouts are specific to a paper size and orientation o Layouts use frames to organize map, graph, and browser windows o Layouts are WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get), the only true representation of how your maps will appear when printed o Annotations can be added directly to the Layout Window (Text, Lines, Regions) and are saved in Workspaces o Frames can be added using the Frame Tool on the Main Toolpad o Scale of maps can be precisely indicated using Layout Windows

Sample Layout

Text Annotations

Map Frame

Legend Frame Browser Frame

MapInfo Training

Part 2: Advanced

Thematic Maps: Description

Map Layers can be shaded Thematically
o Object Styles (Color, line width, fill, etc..) can be controlled based on values of tabular data associated to that object o Thematic Layers help display geographic trends of data o Types of Thematic Layers:
Ranges: Shade based on ranges of data values Individual: Shade each unique value individually Other: Pie Charts, Bar Charts, Graduated Symbols, Dot Density, Grid

Thematic Maps: Creating

First decide exactly what it is you are trying to display Select Menu:
o Map > Create Thematic Map

Select the type of thematic map to create Select the table containing the data Select the column with values to use Make adjustments to the legend Click OK!

Thematic Maps: Legends

The appearance of your thematic map is controlled by the final section of the wizard From here you can adjust the following
o o o o Ranges Styles Legend Properties Legend label order

Thematic Maps: Important Points Appear in Layer Control above tables they are based upon May be visible even if base tables are not Ranges can be set in a variety of ways, including statistically calculated methods Styles & Ranges can be customized and saved to templates which can be applied easily to other tables Thematic layers are saved in workspaces and are not modifications of base tables Thematic maps can be modified

Legends: Description
The legend for the thematic map is displayed in a window Extra components can be added to the legend Click the right mouse button in the legend window and select the Add Frames option Use the wizard to add or remove elements from the legend Double clicking a component in the legend window opens the editing dialog This can be used to alter the appearance of the component (title, style, etc)

Selections: Described
Selections are subsets of table data created by the user
o Selections can be created manually either through map windows or browser windows o Selections can be created automatically through query capabilities of MapInfo o Selections are temporary tables created by MapInfo and can be saved to permanent tables o Selections are also known as Queries, and are represented in MapInfo as temporary tables named QueryN, where N represents an integer

Selections: Using
Selections can be :
o o o o o o Added to maps as new layers Viewed in browser windows Used to edit subsets of tables Appended to other tables View / Analyze subsets of data Make further selections

Selections can be made using the screen Or by querying the data

Selections: From Screen

Tools: Select Tool, Radius Select Tool, Boundary Select Tool, Marquee Select Tool, Select All, Unselect All Tools can be used to make selections directly from map windows on the screen Selections can only be made from a single table, whose selectable status is enabled Selections are highlighted on the map Multiple selections can be made using the Control key in conjunction with tools

Selections: From Queries

Allows you to create expressions based on data fields and query tables based upon those expressions For Example, you can ask MapInfo to:
o Show Post Code regions where the population > 50,000 o Show Buildings where expected revenue > $20,000 o Show Cell Sites co-located with Bell Atlantic?

Queries: Expressions
Expressions are logical statements which ask the questions to MapInfo If you wanted to know which Zip Codes had a population > 50,000 your expression might be:
o POP_90 > 50000

Expression are typed directly into the Select Dialog, the expression assistant can help in forming the expressions Expression can be complex containing logical operators (such as OR, AND, NOT) and mathematical operators (such as + / = *) MapInfos query language is SQL

Miscellaneous: MapBasic Window

MapBasic is MapInfos scripting language The MapBasic window can be opened by:
o Menu (Options > Show MapBasic Window)

Any time MapInfo performs an operation the relevant MapBasic command is printed in the window Commands can be typed into the window The window is handy for controlling elements of MapInfo, such as selections Example command:
o Select * From table Where condition Into new table

Miscellaneous: Workspaces
Workspaces are a feature in MapInfo that enable you to save your current work session. By saving a workspace, you will keep track of:
o o o o o o o Tables you currently have open Views are open for tables (Map, Browser, Graph) Thematic Layers Queries Legend Windows Labels Style Settings for all map windows

Miscellaneous: Workspaces
When opening a workspace, you will be recreating your saved work session
o Tables will automatically be opened o Views will be created, including Layout Windows o Global Styles and Thematic Styles will be applied

Save and Open workspaces from the file menu Saving workspaces will not save current edits to tables, editing or renaming tables may invalidate saved workspaces Workspace files are simply text files containing a series of MapBasic commands which tell MapInfo what to do

Questions & Answers