Skip to main content

Creating Reports from Map

Updated

Social Explorer allows you to access vast amounts of data with just a few clicks. You can either:

  1. Access data through reports or
  2. Visualize data using maps

You can also generate reports directly from the map application to obtain specific data for different geographies and variables.

Step 1: Open the Create Report Menu

  1. In the Change Data menu, click the menu button icon for More Options.
  2. Click Create Report.

Step 2: Select the Survey

Social Explorer provides over 800,000 data indicators from U.S. and global datasets spanning more than two centuries.

  1. From the Source dropdown, select the survey you want to explore (e.g., Census 2010).
  2. Select the topic you want to explore. In our example, we selected Age.

Note: Whichever survey you were most recently exploring on the map will be the default, or you may switch to any other survey in the dropdown list. We have prepared a custom report with all the essential variables, as well as separate reports for the most popular variables from the survey you've selected. You will be able to modify your report selections later as well.

Step 3: Select the Geography

  1. Choose a Geography Level

    • Select the geography level you want to explore.
    • By default, State is selected, but you can choose from the levels in the dropdown menu next to the Create a Report panel.
    • Available geography levels depend on the selected survey and may vary.
    • You can select as many geographic areas as needed.

  2. Use Selection Tools

    • Once you've selected a geography level, use selection tools to choose specific areas:
      • Rectangle, Polygon, Line, and Circle tools – Select multiple geographies at once.
      • Point selection tool – Click specific areas to add them (great for selecting non-adjacent locations).

  3. Example Selections

    • Use the Square tool to select Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
    • Select different area types (e.g., a mix of states, counties, and census places).
    • Use the Point selection tool to add Coleman County and Mills County in Texas to your selection.
    • Zoom in on Texas until county borders appear or switch the Geography Level dropdown to County without zooming in.

Step 4: Remove a Selected Geography

  • To remove a selected geography, click the "X" next to its name.
  • To reset all selections (survey, report, and geography), click Reset.

Step 5: Create Your Report

  • When you're done selecting geographic areas, click Create in the upper-right corner.
  • Your report will open in a new tab.
  • You can still edit your data and geography selections after the report is created.

Step 6: Save Your Report

  • Click Save As… in the upper-right corner of the Results page.
  • Enter a title and description.
  • Click Save.

Note: You can access all your saved reports by heading over to the My Reports page.

 

Related articles