Using the Data Export - Std Geo - Using Variable Filters Tool

Updated

The Data Export - Std Geo - Using Variable Filters tool in ENVISION can be used to download a list of geographies within a selected trade area filtered on certain characteristics. Build insightful and complex queries to identify areas that meet specific criteria for your niche target market to gain further insight into your customers.

Use the WalkMe Through as a step-by-step guide for this tool in ENVISION. Click on the WalkMe Through button below to get started.

WalkMe Through

Inputs Required: Trade Area opens in new window

  1. Begin by launching the Data Export - Std Geo - Using Variable Filters tool.

    Data export tool icon

  2. Select a Trade Area by clicking the checkmark next to the name of the area. The checkmark should be green once selected. Multiple trade areas can be selected.

    Select a trade area

  3. Select the Geographic Detail Level from the list of options in the dropdown menu. The level of geography selected must be at a smaller geographic scale than the trade area. 

    Select geography level

  4. To start building your variable filter, click the dropdown arrow and type a descriptive name. Then hit ENTER to ensure the filter is selected for use. For example, "Children's Toys and Games".

    Select a filter

    Selected filter

    Note: Once saved, filters will be available in this dropdown list for future use.

  5. Ensure the filter name created in the previous step is displayed, if not, repeat step #4. Click Add Group. Select or search a data source by clicking the dropdown arrow.

    Select data source

  6. Choose or search for a category by clicking the dropdown arrow.

    Select a category

    Tip: If you're unsure which category contains the variable you need, please review our variable lists. opens in new window

  7. Choose or search a variable to filter within the chosen category by clicking the dropdown arrow.

    Select a field to filter

  8. Select the metric type by clicking the dropdown arrow. Type options will change depending on which variable is selected. Options can include Value, %, and Average. 

    Select metric type

    • Value refers to the population or household counts. 
    • Percentage (%) refers to the percent penetration of the variable.
    • Average refers to the aggregate count of the metric of the variable divided by the population or the household count. 

  9. Select the operator you want to perform on the selected variable by clicking the dropdown arrow.

    Select operator

  10. Input the value being applied by the operator. Then click Save Filter.

    Input value and click save filter

    Note: Saved filters will be available for future use in the Choose a Filter dropdown menu. 

    Tip: 

    • To gain a better understanding of which metric type to select and the value to use for the query, we recommend running the Ranking Areas – Variables tool for the variable of interest. Determine the minimum and maximum values and percentages for the level of geography to gauge an appropriate value to use in the query builder. 
    • Run the Ranking Areas - Variables report by clicking on the WalkMe Through.

  11. If needed, build the query further with additional variables by using the Add Group or Add Condition functions. You can add multiple groups and conditions as needed. 

    • Add Condition uses the AND logic statement where all conditions must be satisfied.
    • Add Group uses the OR logic statement where only one condition must be satisfied.

    To add an AND statement, click Add Condition and repeat steps 5 to 10, filling in the data source, category, field to filter, type, operator, and value. Click Update Filter. For example, Forward Sortation Areas in the Trade Area of Toronto, Ontario, that have more than 500 households with children at home aged 5 to 9.

    Add AND statement

    To add an OR Statement, click Add Group and repeat steps 5 to 10, filling in the data source, category, field to filter, type, operator, and value. Click Update Filter.

    Add OR statement

  12. Use the toggle switch to Include Variable Details. It is on by default.

    Include variable details toggle

    • OFF produces a CSV output file that includes the Trade Area (area of interest), geography name (area name), and the geography code (key code).
    • ON produces a CSV output file that includes all the inputs for OFF and the selected variables used in the query.

    Note: The variable codes represented in the output file for population count and household count will vary depending on the data product used for the query. See our variable code descriptions. opens in new window 

  13. Click Create. A temporary notification will appear on the bottom right of your screen indicating your export is ready to download. All data export outputs can be found on the Results page, located in the side panel.

    If the query produced no results a notification will appear. The query criteria will need to be adjusted. See the protip after step #10 for guidance on how to select valid criteria for your query. 

    Query failure

    Notes:

    • View a list of all saved filters in My Data > Filters. Here, filters can be shared across multiple workspaces. Learn how to share filters. opens in new window 
    • Saved filters can be edited later within the tool. Make edits to the variable filter, apply changes, and click Update Filter.