Excel tips-tricks

Tips and Tricks 1
In this session you will find tips and tricks regarding:
Excel Files
Adding Leading Zeroes
Various MapInfo Professional Tools
Adding the Current Date to a Layout
Updating Columns
Wildcard Characters
Various SQL Queries
Labels
Thematic Maps
Symbol Settings
And many more!
Feel free to share any good gambling tips!
4A

2 Copyright © 2008 Pitney Bowes MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved.
Question:
How do I open an excel document as a native MapInfo table to allow data editing?
Answer:
Formerly, when comma delimited, Lotus 1-2-3, ASCII, and Excel files were opened in MapInfo
Professional, they were read-only. To edit these files, it would be necessary to have to save a copy
of the file to the native .tab format. There is an option to do this automatically when opening these
types of tables. This should simplify the process of opening and working with files of these types.
1. From the File menu, click Open to display the Open dialog box.
2. In the Files of type drop-down list, select Microsoft Excel (*.xls), Delimited ASCII (*.txt),
Lotus 1-2-3 (*.wk1, *.wks, *.wk3, *.wk4), or Comma Delimited CSV (*.csv) to display the
list of available files of these types only.
3. Select a file from the list and select the Create copy in MapInfo format for read/write
to open it in native (.tab) format.
4. Click Open to open the file.

Session 4A: Tips and Tricks 1
Copyright © 2008 Pitney Bowes MapInfo Corporation. All rights reserved. 3
Question:
How to add leading zeros to a character field?
Answer:
When a ZIP Code field is imported into MapInfo as a number, the leading zeros will be
eliminated causing bad results when geocoding. To fix this problem without re-importing,
perform the following steps:
1. 1. Choose Table>Maintenance>Table Structure and select the table to modify.
2. 2. Change the type of the ZIP Code column to character. Change the width to 5.
Note: If ZIP+4, change it to Character with a width of 9.
The table will now look as follows:
3. Choose Table>Update Column and set up the dialog as follows:
4. Click OK. The results will look as follows:

Question:
How can I convert degrees minutes seconds to decimal degrees?
Answer:
To convert columns to decimal degrees we will use the degree converter tool found in our Tool
Manager.

Question:
Is there a way to change the font size, color, or viewable columns in a browser view without
modifying the table structure?
Answer:
Using the Browse>Pick Fields menu option will allow modification of the viewable columns
in a browser view without modifying its structure. Selecting all with Query>Select All and
using the Options>Text Style menu option will allow changes to be made to the color and font
attributes of the browser window. Also, using Browse>Options will provide an option to
remove gridlines.
• Fields in Table
Displays a list of the fields in the current table.
• Add
Add a field to the Browser window.
• Remove
Remove a field from the Browser window.
• Columns in Browser
Displays a list of the columns currently displayed in the Browser window.
• Up
Moves the chosen item in Columns in Browser up one column.
• Down
Moves the chosen item in Columns in Browser down one column.
• Edit Browser Column
Allows a Browser column to be renamed or display an expression as a Browser column.
• Name
Use this box to temporarily rename a Browser column.
• Expression
Use this box to display an expression as a Browser column.
• Assist
This button accesses the Expression dialog box where an expression can be specified.

Question:
Is there a way I can only show certain columns in a browser every time I browse my table?
Answer:
A feature in MapInfo Professional gives you the ability to set a default browser view. For example
if we choose not to see all the columns in the states table we can select our browse menu and pick
fields. This will allow us to select just the fields we choose to view.
Note: There is a check box to Save As Default Browser View.

Question:
What if I want to view derived data within the browser window?
Answer:
We can build an expression to view derived data within the browser window.

Question:
How can I update a subset of my table?
Answer:
When a table contains multiple records, and there is a need to update certain records that have
matching criteria, this can be done using SQL.
Here is an example:
Assume that you would like to update all stores that are "abc" to their new color of pink.
1. Select the stores from the STORE_TABLE using Query>Select.
a. Choose the correct table to select from
a)
b)
c)
d)

b. Click Assist.
c. Choose the correct column from the Columns list.
d. Finish the expression by entering an equals sign, followed by what you are trying to
match, contained in double quotes, as seen above.
2. Click OK twice.
This will open a query of just the specified stores.
Now we will update the color column to be pink.
3. Choose Table > Update Column
• Table to Update should be the query, in this case, Query1.
• Column to Update should be the column that contains what we want to update. In this
example, we are choosing Color.
• Get Value From Table will also be the query table.
• Value will be what we want to change it to. If this is being updated with any characters, be
sure to enclose the value in double quotes.
4. Click OK.
Now if we look at the original STORE_TABLE, we will see that the values are updated.

Question:
How do I select using a wildcard?
Answer:
When you don’t know the full string of text you can use a wildcard. For example, you select all
the records that start with a certain letter.
1. Choose Query > SQL Select.
2. The like operator has two wildcards available: the “%” character and the “_” character. The
“%” is used for any sequence of characters while the “_” is for any single character. The
following query will select all States that begin with the letter “M.”
l
You can also use two wildcard characters in a single condition. For example, if you used
State_Name like “%m%” you would get all the States that had the letter ‘m’ anywhere in
the name, not just at the beginning.

Question:
How to select all objects of a certain type? For example, how to select all the line objects in a
table?
Answer:
1. Choose Query>SQL Select.
2. Specify the table name in the From Tables box.
3. Click in the Where Condition box.
a. From the Functions list, choose the STR$() function.
b. Within the parentheses, type in obj.
c. Outside of the parentheses, type the equals sign.
d. In quotes, put the object type to be selected.
For example:
Where Condition: Str$(obj)="Line"
Tip: Any of the following object types may be used in the query: "Point", "Multipoint", "Line",
"Polyline", "Region", "Collection", "Rectangle", "Rounded Rectangle", "Arc", "Ellipse", or
"Text".
Note: Str$(obj) will return a null string if there is no object associated with a row. To select
all rows in a table that have no associated map object (e.g., all ungeocoded rows after a
geocoding operation) use the where Condition Str$(obj)="". However, using the
where Condition not obj is another method and is probably faster than a string
comparison to find an empty string.

Question:
Can a selection be run to find all records in a table that didn't geocode or don't have an object
associated with the record?
Answer:
To find all the records that don't have an object or were not geocoded, use the following SQL
Select statement (Query>Select):
Substitute the desired table that the selection is to be run on in the Select Records from table
drop down list. The resulting query table will contain only those records without a geographic
object associated with them (i.e., records that didn't geocode).

Question:
How to select using a wildcard in SQL Select where it is desired to find records with two different
search strings?
Answer:
The following SQL Select dialog box shows how to select all State names that start with "ar" or
"ne" using a wildcard.

Question:
How to find records using like, not and the percent sign as a wildcard.
Answer:
In this example, the following records will be used:
To query the table of schools above for any records having High School in the school name, use
the percent sign (%) as a wildcard in front of the words High School as shown in the SQL dialog
box below. This will return any record with the words High School in it.

However, this query also returns all the Junior High Schools.
To refine the query and find only High Schools and not Junior High Schools, use "not" as shown
in the SQL dialog box below.

Question:
When joining two tables in the Query>SQL Select dialog box, which table should be listed first
in the From Tables section?
Answer:
When joining mappable tables, the map objects associated with the first table listed will
determine the map objects of the resultant query.
For example, if Table1 is made up of points and Table2 is made up of regions, and Table1
is listed first, the resultant query will be made up of point objects that satisfied the where
Condition. This will be the case whether it's a geographical join like Table1.obj within
Table2.obj, or a columnar join like Table1.Zipcode = Table2.Zipcode.
If Table2 is listed first, the resultant query will be made up of regions that satisfied the where
Condition.
The order of columns in the resultant query will be the columns from the first table listed
followed by the columns from the second table listed, if Select Columns is set to the default of
an asterisk (*) which means the query will return all columns from both tables.
If the first table listed is not a mappable table, the map objects of the resultant query will be
determined by the next mappable table listed.
Note: When joining a mappable table to a non-mappable table, only records from the mappable
table are selected. This can cause problems when performing an outer join query to find
records in the non-mappable table. The solution is to make the non-mappable table
mappable via Table>Maintenance>Table Structure and checking the Table is
Mappable check box. Then, a join will select records from both tables, allowing the
ability to perform an invert selection to select all records from the previously non-
mappable table, if it is listed first in the From Tables section.
If neither table is mappable, the order of the tables listed will only affect the order of the columns
in the resultant query.
First Table Listed in
"From Tables"
Second Table Listed in
"From Tables"
Resultant Query Map
Objects
Mappable Table (i.e. Points) Mappable Table (i.e. Regions) Map Objects Associated with
First Table (i.e. Points)
Mappable Table (i.e. Regions) Mappable Table (i.e. Points) Map Objects Associated with
First Table (i.e. Regions)
Non-Mappable Table Mappable Table Map Objects Associated with
Mappable Table
Non-Mappable Table Non-Mappable Table N/A

Question:
Is it possible to create line objects from a table of coordinates?
Answer:
The following command can be used to convert a table of coordinates to a table of lines. The table
must contain the coordinates for the beginning and the end of the line. It is very important to make
any changes on a copy of the table; it may be necessary to use the original data at a later time.
To execute the command to convert the points to lines or create lines for the table:
1. Open the MapBasic Window through Options>Show MapBasic Window.
2. Type in the following command (all on one line) and press ENTER.
update point_table set obj=createline(Start_X,
Start_Y,End_X,End_Y)
Caution: Be sure to substitute ‘point_table’ with the name of your table.
Start_X, Start_Y, End_X and End_Y represent the columns in point_table that have the starting
and ending coordinates for each line.
Important Notes:
• Before proceeding with the update, make sure that the table in which the lines will be stored is
mappable. To make the table mappable, make sure the Table Is Mappable box is checked.
(Table>Maintenance>Table Structure)
• If a layout window was opened in this session of MapInfo, re-start MapInfo and then execute
the command before opening another layout window.
• If the table being used is projected, the line objects may not be created properly. To work
around this situation, open up a new map window of a table in a different projection than the
one the table being used in this operation is in. Choose Map>Options and click Projection.
Choose the projection of the table the create lines operation is being used on. Click OK. Then,
execute the MapBasic command and the lines should be created correctly.

Question:
How can a clip region be set on more than one map object?
Answer:
The Set Clip Region command isolates a single region of a map such as a State, county or one
defined using a drawing tool for display and/or printing. If multiple regions need to be clipped,
these regions will need to be combined into a single region or a drawing tool will be needed to
trace around the group of regions to be clipped.
A better alternative is to create a buffer around the selected regions with a radius value of zero and
use the resulting buffer object as the clip region.
1. Make the Cosmetic Layer editable through Map>Layer Control.
2. Select the regions to be clipped. (If using the Select tool located from the Main tool bar, hold
the Shift key down while selecting the regions.)
3. Once the regions are selected, choose Objects>Buffer.
4. In the Buffer Objects dialog box, set the Radius value to zero and choose One buffer of
all objects.
5. Click OK.
6. Now choose Map>Set Clip Region. Choose either to retain or discard the object used for
clipping in the cosmetic layer.

Question:
How can the title of a map window be changed?
Answer:
There is a tool under Tools>Tool Manager called Map Window Manager. Once it is loaded,
go to Tools>Map Window Manager>Set Window Title and enter the new desired title.
Alternatively, type the command below into the MapBasic window and press ENTER:
Set Window FrontWindow() title "My Mapper"
Be sure to substitute "My Mapper" with the desired title.
Question:
How to find the missing Info Tool?
Answer:
If clicking on the map with the Info Tool and the Info Tool window is not appearing, first ensure
that an object (point, polyline or polygon) is being clicked on with this tool. If the Info Tool
window still does not appear, then it is off the screen. The following steps will restore the Info
Tool window.
1. Run Notepad in Windows.
2. Type in the following lines:
!Workspace
!Version 400
set window info show
set window info position (1.5,2.0) units "in"
3. Choose File>Save. Change the directory to the MapInfo program directory. Save the file as
INFOTOOL.WOR.
4. Start MapInfo if it is not already open. Choose File>Open and open INFOTOOL.WOR.
The info tool window will re-appear on the screen.
Also, these two lines can be typed into the MapBasic Window to display the Info Tool window:
set window info show
set window info position (1.5,2.0) units "in"

Question:
How is zoom layering turned on and off?
Answer:
This is done through Layer Control.
1. Choose Map>Layer Control.
2. Select the layer for which the Zoom Layering needs to be set.
3. Click Display on the right.
4. In the Display Options dialog box, check the box next to Display within Zoom Range
and enter the minimum and maximum zoom.
5. Click OK.
Objects will only appear when the zoom of the Map Window is between the minimum and
maximum values.
To turn Zoom Layering off, uncheck the box next to Display within Zoom Range in the
Display Options dialog box.
Note: The first check box under Layer Control will display a pink check in the box if the zoom
of the map is outside the range for that layer.
Note: Raster and Grid files may be brought into MapInfo with automatic zoom control. This is
done through Options>Preferences. Then, click Map Window.

Question:
Layer Control shows more layer information using ToolTips.
Answer:
When working with files with long names, being able to see the whole file name is important. The
Layer Control dialog box has increased in size to display longer file names and a ToolTip has
been added to ensure that even longer file names can be read.
Question:
What if I want to merge two maps together into one map window?
Answer:
We can drag two map windows together to merge into one map window using the Drag Map
Window tool on your toolbar.
You simply click and drag from one window to the other.
Note: When you merge maps together the merged map will take on the map settings of the
destination map. If you have custom labels it would be in your best interest to check the
map’s projection to make sure it is the same as the destination map’s projection.

Question:
How do I insert a style into my table?
Answer:
There are two kinds of styles in MapInfo Professional. Global styles are set in the Style
Preferences dialog box and persist every time MapInfo Professional is started. Session styles
are styles created during an edit session and only exist for that session. Session styles apply
regardless of the table being edited. This new feature allows a table-based insert style to be
defined that can be used to add new features to an editable table. The style information is saved as
metadata in the table record and so persists beyond the session.
To insert a table-based style:
1. From the File menu, choose Open and select a map to display.
2. Open the Layer Control dialog box.
3. Make the desired layer editable. This enables the Insert Style button.
4. Click Insert Style to display the Insert Style dialog box.

If the layer selected contains a region style, the Symbol Style button displays as in this dialog box.
It may also contain the Line Style button and the Region Style button, depending upon the type of
layer being edited.
Note: Text Styles are currently not supported.
4. Click the button(s) in this dialog box to select the style options you want for this layer.
5. Click OK to save the style options you selected to the table.
6. Click OK in the Layer Control dialog box to display the styles on the current map.
To see this “persistent” quality of the insert style command, close MapInfo Professional. Then
start MapInfo Professional again and display the map again.
Question:
Can I automatically open a thematic of a table?
Answer:
Yes. You first have to create the thematic map, being sure to specify two options in the process.
1. From the Options menu, choose Preferences.
2. Click Map Window.
3. Check the box to Automatically Open Default Theme.
This check box is cleared by default to ensure backwards compatibility.
4. During the creation of the thematic map, you will need to check the Save As Default
Theme View. The default theme information will now be saved to the table’s metadata.
This will always open the thematic as the default theme view until you either turn of the
preference in step 3, or choose Remove Default Theme View.
Note: If the table is read-only this option will be disabled.

Question:
What If I want to copy the information from the statistics window and past it into another
application?
Answer:
MapInfo Professional enables you to copy the contents of the Statistics and Message windows to
the clipboard. Before MapInfo Professional 8.5, you could not copy anything from these
windows. With this enhancement you can now capture statistical information from your maps and
specially written messages from MapBasic programs, and use that information in other
applications through cut-and-paste operations.
Question:
How can I see the line when I autotrace an object?
Answer:
The autotrace line that traces the nodes of a polyline or polygon is thicker and darker. This should
make the line more visible when you are tracing.
To see this change:
1. Open a Map layer for which you want to trace a polygon or polyline.
2. Make the layer editable.
3. Press the S key to turn on the Snap function and the T key to turn on the Autotrace
functionality.
4. Select the Polygon or Polyline tool from the Drawing toolbar and click at the first node you
want to trace.
5. Move the mouse along the nodes of the line or object you want to trace and you will notice
the line is thicker.
Question:
How can I get a save workspace button on my toolbar?
Answer:
There are three toolbar buttons in MapInfo Professional to simplify opening and saving
workspaces, and saving open windows.
• Open Workspace. Click this button to open a workspace.
• Save Workspace. Click this button to save a workspace.
• Save Window. Click this button to save the current window.

Question:
What would cause the Table > Geocode option to be grayed out?
Answer:
If the geocode option is grayed out, make sure that:
a. At least two tables are open; the table to be geocoded and the table being used to geocode
against.
b. The table being used to geocode against (search table) is mappable.
Question:
How do you create a label expression?
Answer:
Often it is desirable to create a label for an object with information that is contained in multiple
columns. The best way to achieve this functionality is to create an expression that defines the
label.
1. Choose Map > Layer Control
2. Click the Label button to bring up the Label Options dialog box.
3. From the Label With list, select Expression. At this point, enter in an expression.
The following examples are based on the CUST browser that is pictured below. Substitute the
names of the columns below for the appropriate names from your data.
• A string constant can be added to a column's contents to clarify the meaning of a label. The
string constant must be contained by quotation marks. A plus sign is used to concatenate the
text objects.
EXPRESSION: "Total Sales: "+Amount
This example will print the words "Total Sales" with a colon and a space, with the value in
the Amount column.
• A multiple line label can be created by adding a carriage return to the expression where the
next line is to begin. The carriage return is represented as CHR$(13) in an expression.
EXPRESSION: Name+chr$(13)+Amount
This example will print the name value with the amount value directly under it.

• The two techniques above can be combined to create very descriptive labels.
EXPRESSION: "Name: "+Name+chr$(13)+" Sales: "+Amount
This example demonstrates one method of combining concatenations and carriage returns in
an expression.
SAMPLE LABEL:
Name: Liz
Sales: 2348978
Question:
Can you set the default Find symbol style to use a specific symbol preference every time?.
Answer:
Yes, you can set a global symbol preference. It is also still possible to set the symbol for a
particular map in the first Find dialog box.
1. From the Options menu, choose Preferences.
2. Click Styles to display the Styles Preferences dialog box.
3. In the Default Find Style area, click the Symbol button to display the Symbol Style dialog
box.
4. Select the new symbol style using the options in this dialog box and click OK.
5. Click OK again to close the Preferences dialog box.

To change the Find symbol style locally:
1. Open a map.
2. From the Query menu, choose Find to display the Find dialog box.
Your global symbol choice will be displayed here. This is particularly helpful with busy or very
low contrasting maps.
Note: There are two custom symbols that can be used for the Find functionality. They are the
Find-01 and Find-02 bitmaps. To access these bitmaps, use the Custom Symbols symbol
font.

Question:
How do I create a table of buffers from my point table?
Answer:
1. From the Table menu, choose Buffer.
2. Choose the table for which you wish to create the buffers and store the results in a new table.
3. Set the field properties and save the new table. When this is complete you can now set the
properties of the buffer.

Question:
Is it possible to return a count of how many points are in a polygon? For example, using a table of
customers by ZIP Code, how can a count be returned of how many customers are within each ZIP
Code?
Answer:
Select Query > SQL Select and fill in the dialog box as shown below. DC_ZIPS is a table of
ZIP Code polygons and DC_BCUST is a table of customer points.
This query will return two columns; the ZIP Code and the count of the number of customers in
each.

Question:
How do you create a thematic map using two columns at the same time? (This is known as a
bivariate thematic map.)
Answer:
A bivariate thematic map uses point or line objects to represent two variables. For instance, a
colored circle could represent a particular company while the size of the circle would represent
the number of orders for that company. There are, however, limitations to this type of thematic
mapping:
• At least one of the maps must be based on a numeric variable.
• There is a limit to using 2 ranged or 1 ranged and 1 individual variables.
In the following example, the CriminalActivity table will be shaded by type of crime as
well as the time the crime occurred.
First, create the Individual thematic map for the types of crimes:
1. Choose Map > Create Thematic Map.
2. In the Create Thematic Map - Step 1 of 3 dialog box, choose Individual as the type and
Point IndValue Default as the template and click Next.
3. In the Create Thematic Map - Step 2 of 3 dialog box, choose the
CriminalActivity table and choose the Type column. Click Next.
4. In the Create Thematic Map - Step 3 of 3 dialog box, click OK.
Second, create the ranged thematic map based on the time the crime occurred.
1. Choose Map > Create Thematic Map.
2. In the Create Thematic Map - Step 1 of 3 dialog box, choose Ranges as the type and
Point Ranges, Varying Size as the template. Click Next.
3. In the Create Thematic Map - Step 2 of 3 dialog box, choose the
CriminalActivity table and choose the Crime_Time column. Click Next.
4. In the Create Thematic Map - Step 3 of 3 dialog box, click Styles.
5. In the Customize Range Styles dialog box, click Options.
6. In the Apply area, choose Size.

7. Click OK.
Tip: You may wish to adjust the ranges of time in Step 3 before proceeding. You can do this by
clicking Ranges.
Click OK in the Create Thematic Map - Step 3 of 3 dialog box. The resulting bivariate
thematic map displays the type of crime by color and the time range by the size of the circle:

Question:
How can a region table be shaded based on the number of point objects falling within each
region?
Answer:
Start with a region table (e.g., States) and a point table (e.g., City_125).
1. Choose Map > Create Thematic Map and select Ranges and a region range template
2. In the Create Thematic Map - Step 2 of 3, select the region table and from the Field list,
choose Join.
3. From the Get Value From Table list, choose the point table, and from the Calculate list,
choose Count.
4. Click Join.
5. Use the second option, and select where the object from the point table is within the object
from the region table.

6. Click OK and OK to return to the Step 2 of 3 dialog box.
7. Check Ignore Zeroes or Blanks to prevent counts of zero (i.e., region objects with no points
within them.
8. Click Next.
9. Make any necessary changes in Step 3 of 3 and click OK.
Question:
Can I the items in an Individual Value thematic legend in a custom order?
Answer:
There is a feature that allows the sort order to be changed in the legend list for Individual Value
thematic maps.
Note: This feature is only available for Individual Value thematic legends.
To customize the legend label order of an Individual Value thematic legend:
1. Create or modify an Individual Value thematic map using the Thematic dialog boxes.
2. In the Modify Thematic Map dialog box or the Create Thematic Map - Step 3 of 3
dialog box, select the Custom option in the Legend Label Order area.

3. Click Order to display the Customize Legend Label Order dialog box.
4. Select an entry in the list to move and use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to place it
in the desired order.
5. Click OK to save this order.

6. Click OK again to display the new thematic map and the new legend.
Important Notes for Creating and Merging Theme Templates:
• MapInfo Professional saves the custom label order only when the option to Save Individual
Value Categories is selected in the Save Theme to a Template dialog box. This implies that
when creating a theme based on a template, MapInfo Professional applies the custom label
order only when the thematic expression creates the same categories as those in the template.
• When merging theme templates, the custom label order from the source template is applied to
the current theme only when the option to Merge Individual Categories is selected in the
Merge a Template to a Theme dialog box and the template and current theme have the same
number of categories.
Question:
Is it possible to create a layout window that when accessed, will display the current date?
Answer:
The procedure for this will involve creating a workspace template that consists of a blank layout
with a date stamp. Once the workspace is created, it can then be used to set up maps for printing
in other workspaces.
1. Choose Window > New Layout Window.
2. Choose File > Page Setup to set the desired page size and orientation.
3. Choose File > New Table.
4. In the New Table dialog box, select Open New Mapper. Click Create.
5. In the New Table dialog box, simply add a field called ID. The contents of the table are not
important in this case. Click the Create.
6. When prompted to save the table, select a directory, and assign a name to the table like
Date_Stamp.
7. Once the new Map Window appears, the Date_Stamp layer should already be editable.
The next step involves creating a point object with no style that can be labeled with an expression
that uses the MapBasic CurDate() function.
8. Choose Options > Symbol Style. In the Symbol Style dialog, make the symbol type N
for None:

9. Once the symbol style has been set to None, use the Symbol tool and click inside the
blank Map Window.
10. After clicking inside the Map Window, save the Date_Stamp table (File > Save Table).
11. Choose Map > Layer Control. Place a check in the Autolabel box and then click the
Label:

12. In the Label Options dialog box, choose Expression from the Label With list.
13. Select or type in the CurDate() function.
14. Click OK.
15. In the Label Options dialog box, select the desired font size and style.
16. Click OK.
Now the date appears in the Map Window:
The Map Window can be added to the blank layout as a frame.
17. Using the Frame tool , draw a frame on the layout in the desired location for the date to
appear.
18. When the Frame Object dialog box displays, make sure the window being added is the
Date_Stamp Map.

19. Click OK.
20. Lastly, choose File > Save Workspace. For easy distribution, save the workspace file in
the same directory as the Date_Stamp table.
Now every time the workspace is opened, the layout will appear with the current date.
Question:
Changing the number of columns or rows in a cartographic legend frame.
Answer:
It is possible to change the number of columns or rows in a frame legend to control the legend
frame display.
1. Create a map and legend using Map > Create Legend with several variables.

2. Once the legend is created, right click inside the legend and choose Refresh.
3. Enter the number of columns (from 1 to the number of items in the frame) for this frame and
click OK.
Question:
Is there a MapBasic program that will automatically update columns with X and Y coordinates in
a table’s native projection?
Answer:
The Coordinate Extractor will add two columns to a selected table and update the columns with X
and Y coordinate values in the table’s native projection as opposed to the default projection of
Longitude/Latitude.
For example, if a table is in UTM Zone 16, the coordinates will be in UTM values. If a table is in
the default Longitude/Latitude projection, the coordinates will be in decimal degrees.
For objects other than points (such as polygons, lines), the X and Y coordinates will represent the
location of the centroid of the object.
To run the program:
1. From the Tools menu, choose Tool Manager.
2. Load the Coordinate Extractor tool.

3. From the Tools menu, point to Coordinate Extractor and choose Extract
Coordinates.
4. You can choose the table from which to extract the coordinates.
5. You will also need to specify the columns to hold the extracted coordinates, but if you don’t
have any empty columns, you can add them using the Create new columns button.
6. Click OK when complete.

Question:
How to find the closest or furthest point(s) from another set of points.
Answer:
The Distance Calculator tool calculates the distance between all the objects in a table or two
tables. It then returns the closest or furthest object(s) and populates a browser window with
results. For example, you could calculate the distance between students and the schools that they
attend.
This can be done in MapInfo Professional by using the Distance Calculator tool.
1. From the Tools menu, choose Tool Manager.
2. Load the Distance Calculator tool.
3. From Tools menu, point to Distance Calculator and choose Run Distance Calculator.
4. You can choose the origin and destination tables, and specify any search criteria.
5. When you click Calculate Distance, the results will be displayed in a mini-browser in the
bottom left-hand corner. You can save the results from here if needed.

Question:
How would the spider graph tool be used?
Answer:
The Spider Graph tool draws lines between objects in a single table, or the objects from two tables
based on a join. It then creates a new table of lines that connect the objects from the origin table to
the destination table based on matching column values. By default, the lines are color-coded
based on their table of origin. Also by default, the new table includes a distance column that
stores the length of each line.
To use the Spider Graph tool:
1. Use the Tool Manager to load the Spider Graph tool.
2. With the appropriate tables open, from the Tools menu, point to Spider Graph and choose
Spider Graph.
Note: The Spider Graph tool works with mappable vector tables only. It can not be used with
raster images.
3. In the Spider Graph dialog box, select the origin table, then select the column that will be
used to join the origin table to the destination table
4. Select the destination table, then select the column name that will be used to join the
destination table to the origin table.
5. Select the columns to include in the resulting table. To select multiple columns, hold down
the CTRL key while you click. If no columns are chosen, Spider Graph will automatically
include the join column specified for the origin table.
6. By default, the Spider Graph tool will color-code the resulting lines and add a distance
column to the new table to record the length of each line. If it is not desired to have these
features, clear the appropriate checkbox.
7. The distance lines will use units of miles by default. To change this, select another distance
unit from the UNITS: drop-down list.

8. Click Create Lines.
9. Enter a new name and location for the resulting table in the Save Copy As dialog box and
click Save.
Question:
How can I delete duplicate records in a table?
Answer:
There is a tool in MapInfo Professional called Delete Duplicates that allows you to delete
duplicate records from a table while retaining map objects. This tool does not change the original
table in any way. Keep in mind that MapInfo Professional has a 255 byte/ 5-column limit for a
Group By clause, so it may be necessary to change the size of the columns if they are unusually
wide.
When referring to duplicate rows, this mean rows that have duplicate occurrences of the same
column value for the column that was selected.
To remove duplicate records from a table and save the cleaned table to a new file:
1. Use Tool Manager to load the Delete Duplicates tool.
2. Open the necessary table or tables.
3. From the Tools menu, point to Delete Duplicates and choose Delete Duplicates to
display the Delete Duplicate Records dialog box.

4. Select the table from which to delete duplicates in the first list. A list of the columns in that
table displays on the right.
5. Select the column that contains information that should be unique to each row from the
Select Columns list. It is possible to select multiple columns to group by, but keep in mind
MapInfo has a 254-byte (or in this case character) limit on any group by statement. Delete
Duplicates will display an alert if this limitation has been exceeded.
Caution: The Delete Duplicates tool does not modify the original table. However, to avoid
deleting data incorrectly, give this step a lot of thought. For example, it is not
recommended to select customer names or addresses for this step.
6. Select the Count checkbox to add a column to the new table that shows the number of
instances of the column value found in the original table.
7. Click OK. The Please Choose a Path dialog box displays.
8. Select a path and a filename for the new table in this dialog box. Click save.
The tool removes rows containing duplicate column values according to the column that was
selected. A browser window displays with the results of the new table.
Note: If you checked the Count box, the last column of the table contains the count of instances
of the row containing duplicate column values in the original table.

Question:
How can I synchronize my Map Windows?
Answer:
The Synchronize Windows tool provides toolbar icons that allow the ability to automatically
share changes made in one mapper window to all other mapper windows in a given MapInfo
Professional session. For example, use this tool to look simultaneously at several sets of complex
feature data covering the same location. In cases where a single map containing all the data would
be more confusing than helpful, several synchronized maps can often display the information
more clearly. The ability to embed thematic legends is useful to provide greater understanding of
the data being presented. The icons on the Sync Windows toolbar are shortcuts to commonly used
functionality.
1. Use Tool Manager to load the Sync Windows tool.
From left to right, these buttons are:
a. CLONE MAP WINDOW - Provides the same functionality as MAP>CLONE VIEW.
b. RENAME CURRENT MAP WINDOW - Allows the currently active Map window to be
renamed.
c. TILE WINDOWS - Provides the same functionality as WINDOW>TILE WINDOWS.
d. SYNC ALL MAP WINDOWS - Provides a way to synchronize multiple map windows
and embed thematic legends.
Note: Note: It is possible to synchronize the maps by center or zoom level.

e. CREATE A SYMBOL ON ALL COSMETIC LAYERS - Provides a way to draw a
symbol in the same location across multiple map windows.
f. CREATE A POLYLINE ON ALL COSMETIC LAYERS - Provides a way to draw a
polyline in the same location across multiple map windows
g. CREATE A RECTANGLE ON ALL COSMETIC LAYERS - Provides a way to draw a
rectangle in the same location across multiple map windows.
h. CREATE A ELLIPSE ON ALL COSMETIC LAYERS - Provides a way to draw a ellipse
in the same location across multiple map windows.
i. CLEAR COSMETIC LAYERS - Clears the Cosmetic layers of all of all synchronized
mapper windows.
Caution: This removes all features added to the Cosmetic layers, not just the 'synchronized'
features added by this tool during this session.
Question:
Can I search and replace to update Multiple Columns?
Answer:
The Search and Replace Tool in MapInfo Professional can replace multiple column entries in a
selected table. This tool is particularly useful when names change or specific character data
changes. To search a table, the file must be open.
To use the search and replace tool:
1. Use Tool Manager to load the Search and Replace tool.
2. Open the necessary table for which it is desired to search and replace data. MapInfo
Professional must be able to read the tables to search.
3. From the Tools menu, point to Search and Replace and choose Search and Replace.
Note: The Column to Search list allows for picking multiple columns.
4. Select the table and columns to search from the lists.
5. In the Search String box, type the text to find.
6. In the Replacement String box, type the text you wish to replace it with.
7. If the string entered should be case sensitive, select the Case Sensitive check box.
8. Click OK to begin the search and replace process.

Question:
How is it possible to move a workspace to another location?
Answer:
Use the Workspace Packager tool.
Use this tool to create a copy of a workspace in a new location or folder. It will copy all the data
referenced by the workspace to the same location. MapInfo Professional updates the internal
references in the workspace file to point only to the "packaged" copies of the data so the new
workspace can be opened no matter where the folder is moved or copied, even if the folder is
moved or copied to a different computer.
1. Use Tool Manager to load the Workspace Packager.
2. From the Tools menu, choose Workspace Packager. There are two options:
a. Package Current Workspace will allow the workspace that is currently open to be
packaged.
b. Select Workspace to Package will allow the workspace(s) to be chosen to package.
To package your current workspace:
1. It is a good idea to make a new folder in which to place the packaged workspace and
corresponding files. Choose the new folder that was made by clicking Browse.
2. Use either the original files (good when sharing a workspace that is already on a shared
resource) or make a copy (good to send to someone else).
3. It is possible to customize the copy type if desired (for advanced users).
If you had chosen Select Workspace to Package, you would be prompted with a dialog box,
allowing you to select multiple workspaces.

Question:
When opening a workspace, an error is received "Variable or field not defined". How can this be
fixed?
Answer:
This error message is generated when trying to open a workspace in MapInfo Professional. This
usually happens when a variable or field in a table that is being referenced in this workspace has
been altered outside of the workspace. For example, a column name in a table called "streets" was
renamed to "address".
There is a tool called Workspace Resolver that allows opening a workspace that references tables
that no longer exist in the location specified by the workspace file. This tool can perform a search
and replace the missing table or alternatively resolve the workspace file by ignoring the missing
table.
Using the Workspace Resolver to remove references to a missing table in a workspace:
1. Use the Tool Manager to load the Workspace Resolver.
2. Close all of the open .tab files before using the Workspace Resolver. If the tables aren't
closed, a prompt displays asking if the application should close them. Click Close All to
continue.
3. From the Tools menu, point to Workspace Resolver and Resolve Workspace
Tables. The Workspace Resolver dialog box displays.
4. Specify the workspace to be resolved in the Source File box.
5. MapInfo Professional pre-fills the Destination File field with the same name and path plus
the word _Resolved as a convenience, but this file can be renamed as necessary.
6. In the Mode area, choose Automatic or Interactive.
• Automatic will delete any references to missing tables.
• Interactive will prompt you to find the missing tables.
7. To save the workspace after the references are removed, select Save Workspace. This
must be selected or the workspace is not saved.
8. To open the new workspace file after the references are removed, select Open Workspace.
9. To display the results of the process, select Generate Report.

10. Click OK to begin the process.
Note: The resolved workspace has not been saved if the Save Workspace checkbox has not
been checked.
Specifying Directories to Search
A list of directories can be created for the Workspace Resolver to search to find the missing
workspace .tab files.
To create a list of directories for the Workspace Resolver tool to search for missing workspace
.tab files:
1. From the Tools menu, point to Workspace Resolver and choose Settings. The
Directories to Search dialog box displays.
2. Use the Directory box to find the first directory the Workspace Resolver should search.
3. Click Add to List. Repeat this process for as many directories as desired to add to the list.
The Workspace Resolver searches the subdirectories of any folder selected.
Note: If a directory is entered by mistake or it should be removed, highlight it in the list and
click Remove from List to delete it.
4. When this list has been completed, click OK to save the list. The Workspace Resolver uses
this list when searching for missing .tab files.

Question:
How can I save my map, layout, browser, 3D window, redistrict window or graph as an image?
Answer:
By using the Save Window as functionality.
1. Open a window to save in the new format.
2. From the File menu, choose Save Window As to display the Save Window To File
dialog box.
3. From the Save As Type list, choose the desired file format.
4. Specify a file name and click Save. The second dialog box opens.

5. Specify the size of the image, if necessary.
6. Adjust the resolution by changing the dpi (dots per inch) if necessary.
7. Use antialiasing (smoothing) if necessary.
8. Click Save.
Question:
How do I save a map window as a geographically referenced Tab File?
Answer:
You can now save the current Map window and automatically register it by creating a .TAB file.
To save the current map as a .TAB file:
1. 1. From the File menu, choose Save Window As.
2. Select the type the file name and click Save. The second dialog box displays.
3. Select Create a Geographically Referenced Tab File.
4. Click Save.
MapInfo Professional automatically creates registration points based on the current map view and
saves it as a .TAB file. When you choose File > Recent Files, the file you created is the first file
in the list.
Note: If MapInfo Professional cannot create registration points for the window image, an error
message displays. This might happen if you pan outside the bounds of the map.

Question:
Is there a list of the Function Keys and Shortcuts?
Answer:
Function Keys:
F1 – Help F4 - New Graph Window F8 - Text Style
F2 - Browse Table F5 - New Layout Window F9 - Create Thematic Map
F3 - New Map Window F7 - Get Info F10 - Create Prism Map
Menu Shortcuts:
MapInfo HotKeys:
• Snap - S
• AutoNode - N
• Crosshair - C
• Autotrace - T
File menu: Options menu:
New Table Ctrl+N Line Style Shift+F8
Open Table Ctrl+O Region Style Ctrl+F8
Save Table Ctrl+S Object Style Alt+F8
Save Workspace Ctrl+K Text Style F8
Print Ctrl+P
Exit Alt+F4
Edit menu: Map menu:
Cut Ctrl+X Layer Control Ctrl+L
Copy Ctrl+C Create 3D Map F11
Paste Crtl+V Create Prism Map F10
Clear Del Create Thematic Map F9
Reshape Ctrl+R Modify Thematic Map Alt+F9
New Row Ctrl+E Previous View Alt+LeftArrow
Get Info F7
Tools menu: Window menu:
Run MapBasic Program Ctrl+U New Browser Widow F2
New Map Window F3
Objects menu: New Graph Window F4
Set Target Ctrl+T New Layout Window F5
Clear Target Ctrl+Del Redraw Window Ctrl+D
Tile Windows Shift+F4
Query menu: Cascade Windows Shift+F5
Find Ctrl+F
Unselect All Ctrl+W
Find Selection
In Current Map Window Ctrl+G
In All Windows Ctrl+A
Table Menu:
WFS Table refresh Alt+F5

Useful URLS
MapInfo Home Page
http://www.mapinfo.com/
MapInfo Knowledge Base
http://testdrive.mapinfo.com/kbase_by_product
MapInfo BugBase
http://testdrive.mapinfo.com/kbase_by_product
MapInfo Product Documentation
http://extranet.mapinfo.com/support/documentation/manuals.cfm
MapInfo Training
http://www.mapinfo.com/training
DirectionsMag -(not maintained by MapInfo)
http://www.directionsmag.com/files/
MapInfo FAQ -(not maintained by MapInfo)
http://www.integrated-mapping.com/scripts/mi_faq/faq.dll/Index
MapInfo-L - (not maintained by MapInfo)
http://nt1.directionsmag.com/mapinfo-l/

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