SimplyMap Tip: Using the Variable Search
With tens of thousands of variables available in SimplyMap, it’s common for users to wonder whether or not a particular variable they have in mind is available in SimplyMap. This is where the value of our variable search function comes in. The variable search allows you to type in a keyword or two, and will output any related results. Let’s take a look at an example.
We’ll start with something broad and go with a simple search for data related to income.
Open the Variables Panel and click on the Search icon. Enter your keyword, “income,” in the empty text box and hit the search button. Your results will be displayed (over 2,800 income related variables!).
By default, SimplyMap will display results ordered by the popularity of that given related variable among all SimplyMap users. In this example, popular income variables include: Family Income Average, Family Income Median, and HH Income ranges. Hover over a variable and select Use This Variable to add into your report or map.
Using the basic keyword search is a quick way to determine the availability of a variable. Equally helpful is the ability to combine an additional keyword into your search.
To narrow down the 2856 “income” results displayed, return to the search box and add an additional query. In this example, we will look for all variables related to “income” and “Hispanic”.
Your results will now be refined to display variables related to “income” and “Hispanic”, (233 in total), including Hispanic Household Income Average.
Final TIP:
There is a dropdown option located directly to the right of the keyword search function. This dropdown will allow you to specifically search by: Variable Name, Source Agency, Folder or All of the Above.
NOTE: If you do not select the dropdown box above, the keyword search will include all of the search options.
That’s it for this week’s tip, we hope that we’ve inspired some users to go out and try the variable search function.
Stay tuned for more tips and SimplyMap reports!
More from SimplyAnalytics
Exploring SimplyMap Data: Internet Search Engines
Posted on May 26, 2016 by Admin
In this week’s report exploring SimplyMap data, we take a look at the variables available relative to internet search engines used. The source of this data will come from the SimmonsLOCAL...
PLA Conference Exhibitor 2014
Posted on Mar 04, 2014 by Admin
March 11-15 Indianapolis, Indiana The Public Library Association is prepared for another week of events, workshops and special appearances for librarians and authors. Visit our exh...
Feature Highlight: Data Filters
Posted on Apr 23, 2018 by Admin
Hello everyone and welcome to this week’s blog. This week we will discuss how to create and utilize filters for your research. Why Use a Filter? Filters are a great way to identify target...
Exploring SimplyMap Data - Median Rent
Posted on Jan 29, 2016 by Admin
In a previous blog entry, we highlighted the benefits of having multiple years of data available for the same variable. This allows users to identify trends over time. Keeping with the sa...
SimplyMap Makes CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title List
Posted on Mar 14, 2010 by Admin
The GRI team was honored to learn that SimplyMap was included in this year's Choice Outstanding Academic Title List, published in the January 2010 issue of Choice Magazine. This is a grea...
Exploring SimplyMap Data: America’s Favorite Music
Posted on Sep 09, 2015 by Admin
This week’s SimplyMap report will set out to discover what America’s favorite type of music is. We will use data within the premium data package, SimmonsLOCAL to answer the question. The ...
Feature Highlight - Jump to Path
Posted on Sep 28, 2018 by Admin
Welcome readers! Today we have a quick feature highlight that will assist you in browsing and searching for data variables. All data variables have a path where they reside within their d...
SimplyMap Quick Tips
Posted on Apr 27, 2015 by Admin
In this week’s write up we want to share some quick tips and tricks that you might not yet know about in SimplyMap. TIP #1 Did you know that you can share your work? SimplyMap allows you ...
GRI Exhibiting at OLA Super Conference, February 3rd and 4th
Posted on Jan 17, 2011 by Admin
Come visit the Geographic Research booth at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference this season. The conference will take place on February 2-5, 2011 at the Metro Toronto Convent...
GRI Exhibiting at ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston - Jan 15-18 2009
Posted on Nov 29, 2009 by Admin
The ALA 2010 Midwinter Meeting will be held on January 15-19, 2010 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. (Note that this is not the Hynes Convention Center). Geographic Research...



