Creating a Custom Location from a Map
While creating a radius location is the fastest and easiest method for creating a custom location, there may be situations that require a more specific and targeted locale. Let’s say for example that our target area for analysis are a few neighborhoods located west of Rittenhouse Square Park in Philadelphia.
A radius location would not work in this example as it will include all areas within a defined radius (e.g., 5 miles) around a specific block group. Using the process outlined below will allow you to focus in on the specific areas west of Rittenhouse Square Park, and create a custom location directly from a map. Let’s get started!
First, zoom in on the target area that will make up the custom location.
Utilize the i-tool and select the first area that will be included in your custom location. Hover over Add to Combination to select the option Create New Combination.
Give your location a name, and click save.
With the Combination now created, open the Locations panel, click on Custom and use the newly created combination.
Your map will now look like this (with the one location we clicked on earlier):
Note: We applied a Location Mask to remove colors outside of our target area (shown in white now).
Use the i-tool once more, and repeat the process above adding new locations into the combination location:
Final result:
With the target area now created, you can utilize it in both maps and reports for further analysis.
Stay tuned for more SimplyMap tips and how-to’s!
More from SimplyAnalytics
Posted on May 03, 2011 by Admin
The GRI team is very excited to announce the launch of SimplyMap 2.0! Completely redesigned, it is now easier than ever to access data and create professional quality thematic maps and re...
Posted on Apr 30, 2008 by Admin
Doreen Harwood, Business Librarian from the University of Washington has developed a series of detailed tutorials on using SimplyMap. The tutorials, which are Flash-based and interactive,...
Posted on May 25, 2010 by Admin
The American Library Association 2010 Annual Conference is coming and the GRI team is gearing up for another great event this summer. We will be in Washington, D.C. again this year, June ...
Posted on Jun 11, 2026 by Admin
SimplyAnalytics is excited to exhibit at ALA Annual 2026 in Chicago! Visit us at Booth #4336 to meet our team, ask questions, and learn more about the latest SimplyAnalytics features and ...
Posted on Jul 22, 2015 by Admin
In this week’s SimplyMap report, we take a look at one of our newly available data packages - ConneXions® from Nielsen. The ConneXions® segmentation system integrates consumer behavior an...
Posted on Feb 23, 2012 by Admin
Geographic Research, Inc. will be exhibiting at the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference. Visit us at Booth 2329 to learn more about SimplyMap and enter our raffle for a new com...
Posted on Mar 21, 2011 by Admin
Men's Health magazine decided to crown one town America's Most Socially Networked City, and has generated quite a buzz in the process. Their survey examined the number of Facebook and Li...
Posted on Oct 24, 2019 by Admin
Hi everybody! This week we wanted to bring you something unique, so we’re taking you behind the scenes to show you what goes in to setting up the SimplyAnalytics conference booth you’ve c...
Posted on Mar 02, 2015 by Admin
In this week’s SimplyMap tip, we outline the process of creating a radius location. Radius locations are a great way to quickly gather information from an area surrounding a target addres...
Posted on Apr 30, 2020 by Admin
We find ourselves in the middle of an unprecedented crisis the likes of which most of us have never experienced before, and hopefully won’t have to experience again. There is the occasion...







