Selecting using longitude and latitude variables

When configured, using longitude and latitude variables from your System explorer, it is possible to turn any map shape into a selection that exactly matches the shape you draw.

If you wish to work with an underlying map shape you can, for example, select Layer 1 and add a Geographic Variable, but this functionality has the advantage of also working without a map shape - see screenshots below. In this example, let's use Postal Area.

Selecting with longitude and latitude¶

1. From the FastStats Toolbox, click and open a new Map.

2. Select the Layer 1 tab and drag Postal Area onto the Drop your geographic variable here drop-box.

   

3. Build the map.

4. Return to the Map tab and select a tool - e.g. Rectangle - and draw your shape over the target area.

   Once selected, an item will be entered under the Selections section of the Layers panel:

   

5. Build the map display.

6. Select Add Layer from the Map toolbar.

   

   In the Layer 2 tab:

7. Set the Map Type to Plot Map.

8. Drag your Latitude variable onto the Drop your geographic variable here drop-box.

   The Second Geographic Variable drop box will auto-populate with the Longitude variable:

   Return to the Map tab:

9. Right drag from within Rectangle 1, hover over Layer 2 to open the window and then drop the selection onto the Return all people drop-box.

   Note

   You will not be able to drag and drop the selection unless you have built the display as per step 6 above.

   

10. Build to generate the display.

    

    Without a shape file, the display can still be generated:

    

    FastStats selects and returns any person falling within or on the boundary defined by the Rectangle shape drawn.

    To create a selection of these people:

11. Right drag from within the Rectangle 1 shape and drop onto your workspace.

    

See also:

• Selecting from the map
• Selecting using shape files