GEO 325: Business Geographics
Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft Windows FAQ
MapInfo FAQ

Questions About Microsoft Windows

How do I create a new folder on my disk?

On your computer's desktop, select the My Computer icon. Navigate to your disk by selecting the blue drop down arrow on the right of the address bar. (See image below.) Select make a new folder under File and Folder Tasks.  Name your new folder. Although Microsoft Windows allows spaces in file names and in folder names, for these GIS exercises it is best to avoid them. Use Lesson1, rather than Lesson 1. Name a file wawastores.dbf rather than wawa stores.dbf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do I get the .dbf file I want to work with onto my disk?

  1. On your computer's desktop, select the My Computer icon.
  2. Navigate to the C drive by selecting the blue drop down arrow to the right of the address bar.
  3. Double click on the Geo325 folder and then double click on the AttributeData folder.
  4. Select the .dbf file you wish to work with by clicking it once.
  5. Right click on the .dbf file and select copy.
  6. Navigate to your disk drive (most likely F: if you are using a flash drive) by selecting the drop down arrow to the right of the address bar and clicking on F:\.
  7. Select the folder in which you want to store the .dbf file.
  8. Double click on this folder.
  9. Once in the folder, right click anywhere and select paste.

**It is recommended that you create a geo325 folder. In this folder, you should create a new folder every week for that week's lesson. (lesson1, lesson2, lesson3, etc.) This will keep you organized throughout the duration of the semester!

MapInfo Questions

When I open up the Chester County Streets in MapInfo, it is zoomed in too far. How do I view the entire county?

  1. Right click.
  2. Select View entire layer.
  3. Select All Layers using the drop down arrow.
  4. This should zoom out to the entire county.

When I attempt to open or add a .dbf file from my disk, I cannot view it.

Make sure that Files of type is set to .dbf and not .tab This can be done by selecting the drop down arrow to the right of Files of Type. See image.


I geocoded my .dbf file, but it doesn't seem to be showing up in the map. How do I get them to appear in my map?

1. Right click inside the map window and select Layer Control

2. Click the Add button in the lower left corner of the window

3. Add the desired file

4. Select OK

5. The geocoded file should show up in your map

I geocoded my .dbf table, but I don't like the symbols I select or I forgot to edit the symbols. How do I change them?

1. Right click inside the map and select Layer Control

2. Double click on the layer you wish to edit

3. Select the box next to Style Override

4. Select the symbol to the right.

Here you can change the color, size and symbol to your liking

6. Select OK when done.

7. This will change all of the symbols in your map.

When I try to label a point, nothing shows up. What do I do?

  1. Right click anywhere in the map
  2. Select Layer Properties
  3. Highlight the layer you want to label
  4. Select the Label button on the right
  5. Here you can select your various label properties. Make sure that the Label With option is what you want to label your points with (name, etc.). Your labels may not be showing up because the wrong choice is selected.
  6. After you have selected your desired parameters, select OK and return to the map window.
  7. You should now be able to label your layer

I added my scale bar, but I'm not satisfied with the location. How do I move it?

1. To move a scale bar in MapInfo, you have to make the cosmetic layer 'editable'. Right click anywhere inside your map. Select Layer Control

Click on the box below the little pencil that lines up with “Cosmetic Layers”

  1. Use your Marquee select tool (it looks like an arrow with a box around it).
  2. Draw a box around the Scale Bar by holding your left mouse button down. It will be highlighted in Red.
  3. Hit Delete on the keyboard.
  4. Follow the instructions above to redraw your scale bar at your desired location.

Frequently Asked Questions Created 1/1/06; Laura E Konwinski,
updated 8/2/06.
The Center for Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis at West Chester University