How to: Create a data map.
Solution:
Organize and select the data to map, select 'Map...' from the 'Insert' menu, specify the location and the size of the map, and make the necessary choices on any displayed dialog boxes.
1) (Optional) Organize the data so that it can be read by Data Map.
a) Place the geographic regions in the leftmost column of the data to map.
NOTE: The geographic regions must be text or postal codes recognized by Data Map. For example, they can be the full names of the states in the U.S., the state abbreviations, or postal codes. For a list of regional terms that are supported by Data Map, refer to MAPSTATS.XLS in the Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Datamap\Data folder.
b) Place the related numeric data to the right of the geographic data.
NOTE: Typically, data maps require only two columns of data. However, more than two columns of data can also be displayed.
2) Select the cells containing the data to map, including the headings.
NOTE: Select any cell in a contiguous group of cells and then press SHIFT+CTRL+8 to select the whole group. Make sure the column headings are selected also. Data Map uses column headings to create legends and titles automatically.
3) Select the 'Insert' menu and select 'Map...'. (The pointer changes to a crosshair.)
4) Specify where the map should appear and draw the size of the map.
a) Select the worksheet where the map should appear.
b) Position the crosshair where the map should start.
c) Press and hold down the mouse button and drag to draw the size of the map.
d) Release the mouse button when the desired size is reached.
5) If the 'Multiple Maps Available' dialog box is displayed:
the Multiple Maps Available dialog box
a) Select the map to use from the dialog box.
b) Click 'OK'.
6) If the 'Resolve Unknown Geographic Data' dialog box is displayed, do one of the following:
the Resolve Unknown Geographic Data dialog box
a) Select the correct name from the 'Suggestions' list box and click 'Change' to correct the unrecognized name. (A data map and the Data Map Control dialog box are displayed on the screen.)
b) Click 'Discard' or 'Discard All' to ignore just this occurrence or all the occurrences of the unrecognized name. (A data map and the Data Map Control dialog box are displayed on the screen.)
7) Select any cell outside the map to return to the worksheet.
