Zip Code centroids

I am trying to query zip codes that fall into territories I created using GIS data, and centroids are causing me problems. I want any zip code that is located in each of my shapes, or even partially located in my shapes, to appear in the 'download to excel' query I do. Unfortunately, it only captures zip codes with their centroid located in the shape I've created.

Is there a way to use the zip code area, not the centroid, as the determining factor for my query?

Thanks,
jzp

Can you illustrate the issue with a screenshot and list the Excel output?

Eric

Attached is a section of the map. (I am having trouble pasting it in the body of the reply)

Notice that zip code 99017 straddles 3 of my territories: Orange, Yellow and Pink. However, because the centroid is located in Orange, it only shows up in the excel export in Orange, but not when I export data for Yellow or Pink.

Could I convert the zip code boundary lines into shapes that I could name using the real zip codes and then query the two sets of territories? Or is there another solution?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Judy

Judy, I downloaded the shape-files of zipcodes from the USPS gazeteer and use them to queryshape. Not sure of the web address at the moment - matbe someone else knows.

Zipcode (ZCTA) ESRI shape files from the 2000 census:
Census 2000 5-Digit ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) Cartographic Boundary Files - U.S. Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cob/z52000.html#shp)

I wasn't able to find a newer public-domain set, but these are fairly accurate.
You might try searching at USGS Earth Explorer or ESRI.

HTH
-Paul

Thank you to both of you! I have learned more about zip codes on this project than I thought even existed.

Thanks again.