Chapter Contents

Working with Spatial Data Using SAS/GIS Software

Common Importing Procedures

The following instructions detail the process common to importing all accepted types of spatial data. For additional information on preparing and importing specific types of data, see the sections later in this chapter.

To import spatial data:

Select:

File Import...
from the GIS Map window's menu bar.
```
or
```
Select Import... from the map pop-up menu.
The GIS Spatial Data Importing window appears.
Select the type of data to import from the Import Type field pull-down menu.
Select the file to import from the pull-out menu to the right of the file name field in the Input area. Or, you can supply the path and filename or SAS data set name in this field.
After you have selected an input file, the OUTPUT fields are filled with the default values. See The SASHELP.GISIMP Data Set for information on changing the default values.
Modify the default composites, if needed. Select [Modify Composites] and make your changes in the window that appears. This step is optional.
Modify the layers, if needed. Select [Modify Layers] and make your changes in the window that appears. This step is optional.
Modify the Library, Catalog, Name, and Action field information in the Map Entries area to specify the destination location of the catalog and its entries.
Modify the Library, Name, and Action field information in the Spatial Data Sets area to specify the destination location of the spatial data sets.
Select the [Import] button.

Once the import has finished the following message appears in the message bar at the bottom of the window:

Import Complete. Close this window to display the map.

CAUTION:: Be careful when using [Modify Composites] and [Modify Layers], especially when appending new information to an existing map. Modifying the default composites and layers can cause unexpected results or errors. If you are unsure about making modifications, you should keep the default composites and layers as they are during importing. After you import the map, you can view it and review the composites and layers that were created and then use PROC GIS to make modifications later.

Note: The composite definitions in the GIS Import window can have a status of either Keep or Drop. Associations with the Drop status are not included in the SAS/GIS spatial database even though they appear in the variable list in the GIS Import window. [cautend]

Chapter Contents
Previous
Next
Top of Page

Copyright © 1999 by SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. All rights reserved.