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Using Spatial Data with SAS/GIS Software

Importing TIGER Data

To import spatial data in Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) format using the GIS Spatial Data Importing window:

  1. Select Tiger by using the Import Type pull-down control.

    The title of the filename field in the Input area changes to TIGER basic data record filename.

  2. Specify the path to the desired TIGER basic data record file, either by typing the path in the filename field or by using the pull-out control to display an Open window, and then by choosing the file from that window.

    Each TIGER map consists of a set of files with names of the form TGRssccc.Fvn, where
    ss is the two-digit FIPS code for the state.
    ccc is the three-digit FIPS code for the county.

    Note:   Refer to the documentation that accompanies the TIGER data for a directory of the FIPS codes for each state and county.  [cautionend]

    v identifies the TIGER version number.
    n identifies the TIGER record type. The basic data record is Type 1.

    SAS/GIS allocates the SAS fileref TIGER1 to the import path that you specified in the filename field. If you allocate the fileref TIGER1 to the desired file before beginning the import process, the filename and path appear in the filename field automatically.

  3. Select [Other Files...], and then type or select the path for the other TIGER data files in the window that appears. If the files are in the same directory as the basic data record file, SAS/GIS software automatically sets the path to the other files. Specify the following files:
    Shape coordinate points

    Provides additional coordinates that describe the shape of each line segment, for example, a curve in the road. These coordinates are SAS/GIS detail points. This file is required and is selected by default. This file is a Type 2 TIGER file. SAS/GIS allocates the SAS fileref TIGER2 to this path.

    Index to alternate feature names

    If a line segment has more than one feature name, for example, Main St. and State Highway 1010, the names are in this file. This file is optional and is not selected by default. To read in the data from this file, select the Read On/Off checkbox. This file is a Type 4 TIGER file. SAS/GIS allocates the SAS fileref TIGER4 to this path.

    Feature name list

    Provides a list of all unique feature names. This file is optional and is not selected by default. To read in the data from this file, select the Read On/Off checkbox. This file is a Type 5 TIGER file. SAS/GIS allocates the SAS fileref TIGER5 to this path.

    Additional address and ZIP code data

    Provides additional address range information if the address information cannot be presented as a single address range. This file is optional and is not selected by default. To read in the data from this file, select the Read On/Off checkbox. SAS/GIS allocates the SAS fileref TIGER6 to this path.

    Select [OK] when you have specified the paths for the TIGER files to return to the GIS Spatial Data Importing window.

  4. Modify the destination information for the catalog and the spatial data sets, if needed.

  5. Modify the default layers and composites, if needed. See Common Importing Procedures for more information.

    Note:   By default, the following composites are assigned Drop status and will not appear in the imported data:
    AIR RECTYP
    ANC SIDECODE
    IADDR SOURCE
      [cautionend]

  6. Select [Import] to import the data. When the import process is complete, a message is displayed in the window message bar to indicate whether the import was successful. You can proceed with another import or close the window to display the newly imported map.


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