Don’t have data in a map ready format? No problem! This short guide will show you how to prepare your data and create an interactive web map.
Note: This guide is intended to show you how to create a layer of points/push pins on a map.
- If you have a large list of addresses, please refer to our Geocoding Guide (Geocoding is the process of converting addresses to locations)
- If you have data based on a an area e.g. zip code area, please refer to our Region Mapping Guide.
Step 1: Open up a spreadsheet program such as MS Excel
Step 2: Create your fields
Add an ID, LAT and LONG column, and as many other columns as you need to record your information.
Add a 'test' point using some basic values for each column, most importantly LAT and LONG. For simplicity, choose somewhere close to the location you will be adding more points. A service like http://www.whatsmygps.com/ will let you get the Decimal Degrees coordinates required:
Once you're done, save as CSV.
Step 3: Create a map
Log into your Mango account and click Create Map
Step 4: Upload your dataset
Then go to Layers -> Add Layers -> Upload Data
Select CSV, and browse your system for the CSV you created.
Once the data has loaded in Mango, you should now see one point on the map.
Step 5: Activate the editing tools
Click the test point to activate the editing tools and click Add new feature
Pan and zoom the map to the location that you want to add a new point, or type an address in the address search field
Click on the map to place a marker (Note: A marker from the address search will already be placed, but you need to add another one). Now complete the attribute information as required for each of the fields created in the spreadsheet.
Repeat as required for any new marker you want to create on the map.
Step 6: Delete the test point
We can now delete the first test point, as is not required anymore. Click on the point, and select Delete this feature
Step 7: Change the style
In layer properties, create a Category legend based on the Type column. (Note: click custom legend change the colors).
Your map should now look something like this:
You are done!
Remember that you can add colleagues as Data Editors to allow them to add and update data also.