Generalizing a SmartReports Template

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Bernard Herring

Introduction

In the previous article, we saw how to import an Excel spreadsheet into SmartReports so that it can be automatically populated with data from a PCensus study area.  This works well if the study area is configured exactly to match the original report (i.e. it has concentric 1, 3 and 5 mile radius circles), but it would be nice if the template would also work for other types of study area, for example one with an arbitrary number of circles or drive time areas.  This can be accomplished easily with the SmartReports “Repeat Section” feature. Continue reading →

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Convert an Excel Spreadsheet to a SmartReport Template

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Bernard Herring

Introduction

Users of PCensus often have a requirement to present information for a trade-area in an Excel spreadsheet using a standard layout. Consider the simple example of a tabulation with a linked graph.  The user needs to use this layout repetitively for many trade areas, and each time he must copy the cell contents manually from PCensus:

We can create a SmartReports template that exactly duplicates this layout, allowing PCensus to automatically populate the cells for any study area. Continue reading →

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Creating a New SmartReport Template

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Bernard Herring

What is a SmartReport Template?

A SmartReport Template is is a special Excel template (.xltx) file that contains software extensions which provide linkages to PCensus and PCensus online.  A new SmartReport template must be created by opening an existing template,   which you can “Save As…” to create a new .xltx file containing your customizations as well as the PCensus linkages.

An empty template called ExcelDesigner.xltx is installed for this purpose as part of the PCensus version 10 software package.  Of course, if you already have customized templates (including stock templates provided by Tetrad) you can use these as a basis for your new SmartReport instead of ExcelDesigner.xltx. Continue reading →

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Get the most out of SmartReports

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Bernard Herring

SmartReports for PCensus lets you use the power of Microsoft Excel to create rich, meaningful reports combining maps, charts, tables, supporting narrative and externally provided data.

The SmartReport Designer is an extension of Excel that allows your workbook to seamlessly import data elements from a PCensus project. The imported data populates designated cells in your spreadsheet, that can be used in any Excel operations, for example combined in formulae or displayed in graphs.

SmartReports are designed using an enhanced Excel template (xltx).  A number of “stock” templates are available for download at Tetrad’s web site, and Tetrad can help you develop new templates for your specific requirements.

If you have a working knowledge of Excel, you can use the SmartReports Designer (included with PCensus version 10) to design your own SmartReports.  The PCensus User Guide provides basic information on using SmartReports.

The purpose of this blog is to draw attention to techniques that can streamline the process of creating SmartReports, to share the accumulated experience of Tetrad’s designers and to provide “behind-the-scenes” knowledge of the SmartReports Designer.

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PCensus User Publishes Report – “Census 2010 Winners and Losers”

Posted on November 14, 2011 by alearmont

PCensus user, Eswaran Selvarajah of Boston Studies Group has published a report titled, “CENSUS 2010:
How Changes in 12 Selected Cities and Towns in Metropolitan Boston Compare with State and National Trend”

The report makes heavy use of PCensus and US Census data to study changes in Boston and the surrounding municipalities.

You can view the full report here

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2010 Census Summary File 1 (SF1) – Data Available for all States & Puerto Rico

Posted on August 29, 2011 by alearmont

2010 Census SF1 is now fully released for Sitewise and PCensus Online.

Stay tuned for SF1 data release information for PCensus Desktop.

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Mapping the Data – Housing Owned Free and Clear

Posted on August 29, 2011 by alearmont

Here is another map by county over the continental states. This time, looking at the percentage of housing units owned free and clear.

Thinking I had seen a similar map before, compare the above to the 2008 election map below:

No correlation implied, but interesting nonetheless.

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Mapping the Data – Single Mothers and Fathers

Posted on August 26, 2011 by alearmont

Big news! The full 2010 Census SF1 data is now released and available on PCensus Online and Sitewise. SF1 data for PCensus Desktop will be available in another month or so.

To kick off this announcement, we made a thematic map with counties in the continental states. Here is a map illustrating the percentage of single parent families.

% of Families with Single Parent (Mother or Father) and Children under 18

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2010 SF1 Census Update – 36 States Now Available

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Tetrad

The Census Bureau has just released the 2010 Census SF1 data for the following 6 states:

  • South Dakota
  • Oregon
  • Nevada
  • Indiana
  • Illinois
  • Washington

The states previously released were Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Nebraska, North Carolina, California, Delaware, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Alabama, Vermont, Oklahoma, New York, Montana, Minnesota, Arizona, Hawaii, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Virgiina and Puerto Rico.

Access the data now from any iPhone, iPad, Android or Blackberry using Sitewise.

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Census 2010 Update

Posted on July 29, 2011 by alearmont

Here is a roundup of interesting Census 2010 maps and news articles. Enjoy!

2010 Census Maps

The Census Bureau has released a dot density map using redistricting data to illustrate the locations of highest population density across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.  The New York Times has a number of thematic maps looking at everything from population change to vacant housing.  The Washington Post maps out trends with an interactive map of census variables that also includes 1990 and 2000 census numbers.  You can also create your own thematic maps with 2010 Census data using our PCensus Desktop software.  

Census 2010 Dot Density
»Watch a video on how to make your own dot density map.

In the News

Posted in Demographics, PCensus, United States | Leave a comment