Basic Setup

The Mapping Tool page works in two panes or frames:

• On the left is the main map pane, where you use the button tools to change which parts of the map you work with or view, to clear data, to select specific areas of the map, etc.
• On the right is the data pane, where you select different types of data to view in the map area; this is also where detailed information about sections of the map are displayed.

Map Tools

Make a Map button:

Click the Make a Map button to start creating a custom map based on the data you select. The data pane to the right changes to show you which data sets you can choose.
Please note: Your data choice are dependent on which layer (region or locality) you choose.

 Zoom In:

The Zoom In tool allows you to zoom in for closer views of the map. Once you select the Zoom In tool, you can simply click the map, or you can draw a box to zoom in on that specific section of the map.

 Zoom Out:

The Zoom Out tool lets you zoom out to smaller views of the map. Just select the Zoom Out tool and then click the map.

Pan:

Use the Pan button to move and re-center the map. A single click of the mouse button will re-center the map based on where you clicked.

 Last Map:

Click the Last Map button to return to the previous map view you saw before zooming or panning.

Start Over:

The Start Over button restores the map to its default / original setting.

Data Tools

Identify:

Use the Identify button to get summary information about a SINGLE region or locality. This information will show up in the data pane to the right of the map. What gets listed – region or locality – depends on which layer you have selected in the Active Layer drop down.

Select Area:

Use the Select Area tool to draw a rectangle over whatever portion of the map you desire. Every geographic item within your box will be listed in the data pane to the right. What gets listed – region or locality – depends on which layer you have selected in the Active Layer drop down.

Clear Results:

Use the Clear Results button to clear whatever specific results are showing in the data pane.  This will return you to the view where you can choose other data sets to work with.

Active Layer Drop Down:

This set of choices – region or locality – works together with the Select Area and Identify buttons above. Only one layer can be active or "on top" at a time. To make a layer choice, just select that layer name from the drop down menu.

Data Pane Tools

Information Tab:

The Information tab shows you what indicator data.  It also provides a link to the Basic Instructions that explain the core functions of the Mapping Tool. 

Display Layer:

The Display Layer tab allows you to select one or more geographic layers to display.  Display includes both the geographic boundary and its name.  Select the checkbox to make a layer visible; deselect the checkbox to hide that layer.  Then click the Update Map button to refresh your corresponding view of the map.

Legend:

The Legend tab explains the scale and meaning of each colored and/or hatch-marked section on your custom map.

Find:

The Find tab is used to search either on a specific value (such as a specific name or number) or on a data range.  After you click the GO button, the Results box will display a summary of all items that met your search criteria.

Results:

Results from the Select Area, Identify, and Find functions are all displayed here. 

• Using the Select Area button yields Selection Results, which lists each item (up to the limit set for that selection).
• Results from an Identify action are in detailed format.
• Use the magnifying glass to locate that item on the map.
• Data may also be exported to Microsoft Excel using the Excel icon at the top of the display box.

About items in a Results list:

• Items in a Results list will often have a plus sign (+) to the left; click the plus sign to expand the item into its detailed parts.
• Use the magnifying glass to zoom to that specific area/data set on the map.
• Data may also be exported to Microsoft Excel using the Excel icon at the top of the display pane.

Page Tools

Print:

Clicking the Print button will generate a new, printable window that contains your map, plus its legend and a few other features. You can even add a title and description to your map before printing.

Help:

The Help button gives you the Help instructions you are currently viewing.

Export:

Click the Export button to create a PDF of the current map. You can save the PDF to your own computer, print it, or e-mail it as an attachment.