Lab 4: Open Attribute Data into MapInfo Tables

1. Lab 4: Open Attribute Data into MapInfo Tables Someone hands you a a diskette that has data about schools in the City of Cleveland. They tell you that the school file is in a a dBase format. How do you see the data table fields & values in MapInfo? In this lesson, you will learn how to open attribute data from different formats such as dBase, Excel spreadsheet, and an ASCII file. You will learn how to modify the field names, field types, and add fields to the table in MapInfo. Finally, you will create a new table within MapInfo and enter data values.

2. What is an attribute database? - data grouped together or related to a common subject that can be analyzed. - data is displayed in tables ie. Attribute data on fire hydrants: id#, address, year installed, diameter, year flushed, color, type, etc. Types of attribute data (relational databases & other tables) - dBase, Access, Oracle are database software that manage attribute data in table format - spreadsheet software such as Excel or Lotus contain data tables - ASCII tables (files that are readable to the human eye) contain data about a subject

3. Attribute table consists of: Record- One row in the table that shows values of a group of related items. All records are the same length (ie. Owner records are all Character & 38 characters wide) Field- Defines where a particular type of data can be found. Also referred to as a variable or column. - A Key field is a designated field used to locate or sort records. - There may be more than one key field. - There is usually a unique key field (no duplicate values). What is the unique key field in this example? field record

4. MapInfo can open attribute data directly from dBase files. Opening spreadsheet and ASCII files require some background information about the table: Does the spreadsheet contain field names on the first row? (View the file in Excel or Lotus to determine.) Does the ASCII file contain field names on the first row and does the ASCII file contain delimiters (separators between fields) such as! # , ? (View the file in a text editor such as Note Pad or Word Pad to determine.)

5. In MapInfo, to open an ASCII, dBase, or Excel spreadsheet: 1 2 4 3 • Select File 2. Select Open 3. Select Files of type: • dBase, ASCII, Lotus or Excel 4. Select the file • Follow instructions and select the appropriate options

6. How do I modify or add fields to a MapInfo attribute table: Open the table, then select 1. Table 2. Maintenance 3. Table Structure 1 3 2 4 Modify table structure (next slide)

7. 4 Modify table structure: • Select field to modify • Select name box and • change the spelling • c. Select Type box & • appropriate field type: • Select width & enter • appropriate value • Select Add Field or • Remove Field • or change the order of the • fields by highlighting & • selecting Up or Down e a b c d

8. How do I create a new table in MapInfo, add new fields, and enter data into the table: 1 3 2 4 5 1 Select File> New table 2 Select Open New Browser 3 Select Create button 4 Select Add Field 5 Type appropriate information in the field information box 6. Select the create button 6

9. 1 3 2 To add rows and enter values to the new browser table: • Select Edit • Select New Row • Select the record under the desired column & type the value • Repeat Steps 1 through 3 until all data has been input

10. You are now ready to begin MapInfo Exercise- Lab 4 • on Attribute Data. The main objectives are: • To open an ASCII, dBase, & Excel file into MapInfo • Modify the table structure of a data layer • Change field names & type • Add a field • Create a NEW table in MapInfo • Create the field names • Create the field types • Enter the data into the newly created table • Begin exercise- lab 4