Is there a way to create a MapPoint Template. Every month, I re-create the same Map with new data. The data is in an excel file named exactly what was used before. When I create the map, I use the import data wizard, select my excel file, choose Multiple symbol as the map type, choose my criteria to map by (Salesytd using latitude & longitude), and then using Discrete equal ranges, I change my symbols and ranges to what I want them to be. I am just wondering if there is a faster way of doing this. Every month, I will create 6 maps this very same way.

Thanks,
Matt

Great question, yes if you name a file ".ptt" instead of ".ptm" it will treat it as a template. Also, if you are frequently updating maps but none of the settings have changed, you can use Linked Datasets.

Finally, you can replace your default dataset by doing "Save As" and then changing the Map Type to MapPoint Template. From there you can over-write your default template (may want to make a copy first).

Hope this helps!

Eric

Per your suggestion, I am attempting to use Linked Datasets. When mapping the data, I am prompted to select a primary key. When I select my primary key and the data gets mapped, I am prompted that MapPoint has found duplicate values within my primary key however when searching through the data, I cannot find duplicates. Linked Datasets will not work unless this is resolved.

Hi Matt,

In my experience, that may turn out to be blank rows at the end of the worksheet that Excel believes is part of the Used Range.
If you'll delete several rows beneath the last row of your data and retry the link, it might work.

Great suggestion.

Also, you can use formulas or conditional formatting to hunt down dupes.

Here's several ways to go about it --

Duplicates In Data In Excel (http://www.cpearson.com/excel/Duplicates.aspx)

hope this helps!

Eric

I have used Excel Conditional Formatting and Brio Suppress Duplicates but there aren't any. I've also tried to delete rows after my last data record in Excel but MapPoint still sees duplicates somehow.

Thanks,
Matt

Do you want to post one quick sample of your data? It could contain just two or three columns:

ID, SAMPLE DATA, GEO DATA

The Geo data, could probably be just a country name.

To post, zip an Excel file.

Eric