Chapter 3. Data Integration

Table of Contents

Converted to .ds file

Convert .dbf file into .ds file

To show colours on a map, user need to choose a set of data and a colouring algorithm to describe how to convert the data into colours for display. The simplest source of data is the .dbf file that accompanies the .shp file. This contains the name of each region on the map, and often contains useful information such as area which can be used as sample data for testing. In order to use the .dbf, .dbf file will be to be converted to a .ds file.

  1. Select a .dbf file and right-click to select Define as a DBF DataSource, as seen in Figure 3.1, “Define DBF DataSource”.

    Figure 3.1. Define DBF DataSource

    Define DBF DataSource

  2. A default .ds file will be created

  3. Click on the Load Data button to view data.

Note

Some shape files contain layer information, for example roads or hospitals. The .dbf files that accompany these shape files may not contain any useful region information for colouring. Using the Elixir data source tools, it is easy to review the contents of the .dbf files.