Business Analyst Online - Navigating the map

This section provides information on using the tool palette and zoom tool.

Tool palette

The tool palette contains tools available for all workflows.

Pin defines a point on the map and is used to create a site for analysis. You can also move or delete the point.

Pan and select allows you to pan the map and select features on the map to create reports. To use the pan tool, hold down the left mouse button and drag to pan the map. Select allows you to view detailed information of map features, select and combine features on the map and create a report.

Zoom-In creates a closer view of an area on the map. Quickly zoom in by clicking and drawing a box around the area.

Zoom-Out creates a zoomed-out view of an area on the map. Quickly zoom out by clicking and drawing a box around the area.

Measure distance or area allows you to measure the distance between points of interest on the map. Use the grids to measure with accuracy.

Add text or shapes allows you to create text, shapes, drawings and images on the map.

Text - Place text on the map and select the font, size and color. Use bold, italic and underline. Use the check box to preview the text before adding it to the map. Click Add text to add it to the map.
Shape - Select a shape and drag it to the map. You can also click or drag on the map to add it. Choose the fill and border.
Draw - Use the polygon or freehand tool for your drawing. Choose the fill and border.
Image - Use Browse to locate the image to import. You can use .png, .jpg and .gif. The recommended image file size is 20 KB.

Clear map allows you to clear items on the map. Use the dialog box to select items you want clear. The sites are cleared from the map and are accessible in My Content.

Create pdf or image allows you to take a screenshot of a map and save it as a PDF or save the current view as an image file. PDFs are saved in My Content.

Map Legend provides information about the map you're viewing. This feature can also be accessed in My Content.

Zoom tool

The Zoom tool allows you to zoom in and out of a map area. Click the plus sign to zoom in and the minus sign to zoom out.

When placing the pointer over the Zoom tool, pop-ups appear to indicate the level of zoom. You can choose from Block Groups, Census Tracts, ZIP Codes, Counties and States. You can click any of these to zoom to its respective map level.