In this article, we will explore the process of mapping state and county-level data in Excel using the popular tool, Social Explorer. Whether you are a Mac or PC user, you can leverage the powerful mapping capabilities in Excel to visualize and analyze data.
Key Points:
1. Introduction to Social Explorer and its advantages over other data download portals.
2. Accessing Health Data in Social Explorer and selecting the desired variables.
3. Downloading the data as an Excel file and importing it into Excel.
4. Steps to clean up the data and ensure readability.
5. Utilizing the maps feature in Excel to create a fillable map of the data.
6. Customizing the map to enhance visual appeal and readability.
7. Exploring additional mapping options and capabilities in Excel.
8. Transitioning from state-level to county-level data analysis.
9. Accessing and selecting county-level data for a specific state (Arkansas).
10. Downloading the data and importing it into Excel.
11. Cleaning up the data and removing unnecessary columns.
12. Exploring the population density and race/ethnicity variables in the county-level data.
13. Using the maps feature in Excel to create a fillable map of the county-level data.
14. Customizing the map and displaying data labels for each county.
Introduction to Social Explorer
Social Explorer is a powerful data exploration and visualization tool that offers numerous advantages over other data download portals. It provides a cleaner and more user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate and work with the data. In addition, Social Explorer allows users to download data in Excel format, which is advantageous for further analysis and visualization.
Accessing Health Data in Social Explorer
To begin the mapping process, we will retrieve health data from Social Explorer. While the video specifically focuses on health data, the same process can be applied to other state-level data sets. Social Explorer offers a straightforward interface for selecting the desired variables, making it easy to customize your analysis.
Downloading and Importing the Data to Excel
Once the desired variables have been selected, the data can be downloaded in Excel format from Social Explorer. It is recommended to save the download as a CSV file and then import it into Excel. This allows for easier data manipulation and analysis within Excel.
Cleaning up the Data in Excel
After importing the data into Excel, it is essential to clean it up for better readability and analysis. This includes resizing columns to fit the data, deleting unnecessary columns, and renaming columns for better identification. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that the first row contains the column labels, as this makes it easier to understand the variables when analyzing the data.
Creating a Fillable Map in Excel
Excel’s mapping feature allows users to create fillable maps based on their data. Using this feature, you can visualize state-level or county-level data in a meaningful and visually appealing way. In the video, the focus is on creating a fillable map for state-level health data, specifically physical unhealthy days per month for adults.
Customizing the Map in Excel
Excel provides limited customization options for maps, but they can still greatly enhance the visual appeal and clarity of your analysis. Some of the customization options include changing the title of the map, adjusting the color scheme, and modifying the layout. Take some time to experiment with these options and find the settings that work best for your data and analysis.
Transitioning to County-Level Data Analysis
The video also explores the process of transitioning from state-level data analysis to county-level data analysis. To do this, the video uses the example of analyzing Arkansas counties using the 2020 preliminary census data. The same process can be applied to other states and their respective county-level data sets.
Accessing County-Level Data in Social Explorer
To access county-level data in Social Explorer, you need to change the geographic selection to counties within the desired state. In this case, the video focuses on Arkansas counties. You can also select specific counties within a state if you have a more targeted analysis in mind.
Downloading and Importing the County-Level Data to Excel
Similar to state-level data, county-level data can be downloaded from Social Explorer and imported into Excel. It is essential to save the file as a CSV for easier importing and analysis within Excel.
Cleaning up the County-Level Data in Excel
Cleaning up the county-level data follows a similar process as state-level data. Ensure that the column labels are in the first row, delete any unnecessary columns, and resize columns for better readability. In the video, the focus is on the population density and race/ethnicity variables within the Arkansas county-level data.
Creating a Fillable Map of County-Level Data in Excel
Using Excel’s mapping feature, you can create fillable maps of the county-level data. This allows for a more granular analysis and visualization of the data. In the video, the map displays the population density of different Arkansas counties.
Customizing the County-Level Map in Excel
Just like with the state-level map, you can customize the county-level map in Excel to make it more visually appealing and informative. Experiment with different color schemes, layouts, and data label options to create a map that effectively communicates your analysis.
In conclusion, Excel’s mapping feature, combined with Social Explorer’s data download capabilities, allows users to easily visualize and analyze state and county-level data. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, you can leverage these tools to create informative and visually appealing maps that enhance your data analysis. Enjoy exploring and mapping your own data sets using this powerful combination of tools.