Using Geographical Maps to Display Query Results :: SAS(R) Web Report Studio 4.4: User's Guide

About Geographical Maps

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for organizing and analyzing data that can be referenced spatially (that is, data that can be tied to physical locations). Many types of data have a spatial aspect, including demographics, marketing surveys, and customer addresses. A GIS helps users analyze data in the context of location.

For example, if report viewers need to evaluate population data for U.S. Census tracts, a report author could render the information in a table. However, it would be easier and more effective for viewers to see the information in the context of the geography of the tracts. When evaluating information that has a spatial component, viewers might find it easier to recognize relationships and trends in the data if they see the information in a spatial context.

You can insert geographical maps only if the report query uses data items from a multidimensional data source that is enabled for geographic mapping.

A Geographical Map Based on a Geographic Hierarchy That Contains U.S. Census Data

For information about plotting your own multidimensional data into an interactive geographic map, see the “Configuring the Esri Map Component” appendix in SAS Intelligence Platform: Web Application Administration Guide.

Insert a Geographical Map

If the current report section uses data items from a multidimensional data source that is enabled for geographic mapping and that contains a geographic hierarchy, then you can insert a geographical map into the layout.

To insert a geographical map into the layout of a report section, perform one of these tasks:

Click on the horizontal toolbar above the layout grid to insert the geographical map in the next available cell.
Drag the geographical map tool from the toolbar into a specific cell.

Note: For more information about how to position objects in the layout grid, see Overview of Positioning Report Objects.

You can also perform one or more of these tasks:

Change the default measure assigned to the geographical map. For more information, see Select a Measure for a Geographical Map.
Change the default properties.
Filter or rank geographical map values. For more information, see Filtering and Ranking a Geographical Map.

Note: These tasks can also be performed in View mode.

Select a Measure for a Geographical Map

Note: You can also complete this task in View mode by selecting a measure from the drop-down list in the geographical map legend.

By default, the first measure selected from the data source is used for the geographical map. To specify a different measure (if one is available), complete these steps:

In Edit mode, select DataAssign Data or right-click in the geographical map, and then select Assign Data to open the Assign Data dialog box.
Perform one of these tasks to assign data items:
- Use drag and drop features to assign data items.
- Use the Move Items drop-down list to assign data items.
The following data assignments are available for geographical maps:

Category (Limit 1)

Select a category or hierarchy. Category is required.

Measure (Limit 1)

Select a measure. Measure is required.

Hidden

Data items that are assigned to Hidden do not appear in the geographical map but can be used in filtering. For more information, see Hiding Data Items.

Assign Data Dialog Box for Geographical Maps
Click OK.

Change the Measure Used in a Geographical Map

A report section can contain a geographical map if the section query uses data items from a data source that is enabled for geographic mapping. The geographical map is rendered by using two data items from the data source: one measure and the geographic hierarchy.

To change the measure that is used in a geographical map (if there are other measures available), select the new measure in the drop-down list that is located above the geographical map's legend.

A Geographical Map with Average Predicted Population Selected as the Measure

Zoom and Pan a Geographical Map

To focus on a specific geographical map area or zoom in or out on a selected region, click the buttons on the geographical map toolbar, as shown in the following table:

Zoom and Pan Buttons for Geographical Maps
	Zooms in on a selected area. Click and drag the mouse to select the area that you want to zoom in on.
	Zooms out from a point. Click a point on the geographical map to zoom out and center on that point.
	Moves the geographical map content within the viewing area. Click and drag the map until the viewer shows the area that you want to see.
	Resets the zoom level to undo any previous zooming or panning.

Specify Properties for a Geographical Map

To specify properties for a geographical map, complete these steps:

In Edit mode, right-click in the geographical map, and then select Properties or in View mode, click on the map toolbar to open the Properties dialog box.

The Map tab is displayed by default.
On the Map tab, accept or modify these properties:
1. If you want a Title to appear above the geographical map, type the text, and then specify the font, font size, font style, alignment, and color.
  
  You cannot use these characters: < > & #
2. From the Size drop-down list, choose Custom, Small, Medium, or Large. If you select Custom, type the Width and Height pixel values.
  
  Tip
  You can also resize the geographical map by using your mouse. Point to the bottom right corner or to the bottom or right border. When the pointer becomes a diagonal or horizontal bar, drag the geographical map to the new size and then release the mouse button.
3. Choose one of the following methods to color the regions of the geographical map:
  
  Equivalent intervals
  
  Each color in the geographical map is defined by the range of the data divided by the number of colors.
  
  Natural breaks
  
  Each color in the geographical map is defined by natural breaks (or interruptions) in the data. The breaks are based on a histogram of data distributions.
  
  Quantiles
  
  The measure values are sorted and an equal number (data points) are assigned to each color according to their sorted value.
  
  Standard deviations
  
  The mean and the standard deviation values for the measure are calculated. The number of regions on the geographical map is determined by adding or subtracting the standard deviation to the mean value.
4. Select the Number of colors to use for the coloration method that you chose. The default is 5. The maximum is 12. Regardless of your selection, the geographical map legend does not contain more colors than there are members in the currently displayed hierarchy level.
  
  The colors used depend on the currently applied report style.
5. Select the Border drop-down list to open the color palette. Then select a border color for the geographical map. You can customize a color using the Color value field. For more information, see Customizing Colors.
The Map Tab in the Geographical Map Properties Dialog Box
On the Layers tab, select the layers that you want to include in the geographical map. The Layers tab lists which, if any, information layers have been created by your data administrator. Examples include Major roads, Schools, Lakes and reservoirs, and Elevation.
Click OK.