CompassOwl OwlView Quick Start

Using OwlView

Here's how to make a map using OwlView in a few simple steps.

Step 1

Open either a worksheet using Excel, a database using FileMaker Pro or a comma separated value (CSV) text file using OwlView.

The document should have at least two columns. One column contains the locations code (ZIP, county, census tract, etc.) and the other column(s) contain data associated with each location.

Step 2

Use the Map > New… menu command to specify the boundary type, location column and data column.

The Data Source popup menu is set to the topmost data window however you may choose any open CSV text, Excel or FileMakerPro window as the data source.

The choices available in the Place Column and Data Column popup menus are the column names from your document. If the name of your first column is the same as a boundary type (County, County Subdivision, Place, Census Tract, Census Block Group, 3-digit ZCTA, 5-digit ZCTA or ZIP Code, Congressional District, Voting District), that boundary type will be preselected; otherwise you must specify the boundary type if OwlView cannot determine it based on your column name.

The Aggregate popup menu allows you to summarize data from your document. For example, you might have an address list and wish to make a map showing the count of people or average value of something for each ZIP Code. Aggregation is used when your document contains multiple rows with the same location code; aggregation should be off if your document contains only one row for each location.

If you have not previously made a map of this location, OwlView will use the internet to fetch a basemap from the US Census Bureau. A basemap needs to be fetched only once for each state and boundary type.

Using the basemap either just fetched or already available from a previous use, the map is created.

Step 3 (optional)

Change the classification method (Equal Counts, Equal Ranges, Natural Breaks, Custom), category count or color scheme (Rust, Brick, Clover, Slate, Midnight, Mocha, Plum, Raspberry, Gray, Custom).

Show or hide location names or outlines. Change the location name font or size.

Other things you can do

Edit the legend text.
Export the map as a PICT file (containing polygon vectors, not a bitmap).
Zoom in if the map covers a large area and you need to see greater detail.
Print the map.