Importing Areas from a List of Geographic Codes

ENVISION allows you to import a list of geographic codes in order to create custom areas.

Use WalkMe Through to be taken through a step-by-step of this process in ENVISION itself. Click on the WalkMe Through button below to get started.

WalkMe Through

Before importing, read our FAQ on preparing your data for import.opens in new window

There are four steps in the process of importing a list of codes:

  1. Upload the file
  2. Specify the file properties
  3. Specify the import settings
  4. Confirmation

To import a list of codes into ENVISION, the file needs to have at least one row containing the code of the specified geography. For example, if you were importing a list of Census Divisions or Counties, you would need to have a field that contains the specific code for that geography. 

For more information about geographic codes, please see:

Upload the File

  1. On the side panel, click Import Data, then Areas and then Geographic Codes.

    Select geographic codes from areas drop-down in import data menu

  2. Drag and drop your file into the upload box, or click the Add button to browse for your file.

    Add files box

    Once a file has been placed in the box, the image will change.

  3. Click the Upload button.

    Upload files

Specify the File Properties

The File Preview window displays and you can adjust your file properties as required.

Note: Your file can contain one or more areas. Be sure to select the correct option from the list.

Importing a File with One Area

One area details

  1. In the Area Name box, change the default name if required. This is the name that will be seen throughout ENVISION on all dashboards and maps.

  2. In the Area Description box, give your area a description if required. Add anything that will help to further define what the area represents.

  3. In the Tags box, enter any keywords you wish. These are used for improved searching.

  4. In the Location ID box, you can enter a location ID to correspond to a location ID in an existing location file. This is optional.

  5. Turn the Available in all Workspaces on or off as required.

    • OFF means that this file is only available in the current workspace.
    • ON means that this file is available in every workspace.
  6. Click Next Step.

Importing a File with More Than One Area

More than one area details

  1. In the Name Field list, click the field that contains the name of your areas. The unique number of names in this list determines the number of areas that will get created.

  2. In the Description Field list, click the field that contains a description of the areas. This is optional.

  3. In the Tag Field list, click the field that contains tags for the areas. This is optional.

  4. In the Location ID Field list, click the field that contains a location ID, in order to link the areas to locations. This is optional.

  5. Turn the Available in all Workspaces on or off as required.

    • OFF means that this file is only available in the current workspace. 
    • ON means that this file is available in every workspace.
  6. Click Next Step.

Specify the Import Settings

Here you specify the level of geography that makes up your area(s). The File Preview window minimizes, but you can expand it if needed.

Import settings

  1. In the Geographic Level list, click the geography used to create your area(s).

    Geography levels

  2. In the Geographic Code Field list, click the field that contains the codes used to define your area(s).

  3. Click Next Step.

Confirmation

Here you confirm that the number of areas being created is correct.

Confirmation message

If this is correct, click Finish. If not, click Back.

A message will display indicating that you are finished and that you will receive a notification when the file becomes available for use.

Finished message

A notification will display in the bottom-left corner of your screen indicating that the data has been submitted for importing. Another notification will appear when importing is complete.

In the side panel, go to My DataAreas to access your imported area,