Virtual Indicators: Create

The advantage of Virtual Indicators is that it allows you to formulate new indicators by combining existing indicators.

Create Virtual Indicators

1. On the sub-menu click Create Virtual Indicator icon.

2. Type in a unique name for the virtual indicator in the Virtual Indicator Name text box.

3. Click on your choice of Indicator.

4. Click on the Include in Virtual button.

5. Click on the appropriate Mathematical Operator + - * / ( ) for the equation.

6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 until your formula is complete.

7. Notice the Number of Decimal Places to Display drop down. The system automatically defaults to zero decimals for all virtual indicators created. For various formulas such as those including monetary information, you may want to modify.

8. Click Create Virtual. The system displays message that virtual indicator is being created.

9. The system advises operation complete and asks if you want to share virtual.

• If you click No, the message window closes and new indicator displays in indicator tree.

• If you click Yes, the Share Virtual window displays list of current GIS users in your company. Select users you'd like to share virtual indicator with and click OK. When the Your Virtual Indicator is now available for the other users message displays click OK.

Create Virtual Indicators Using Sum to Virtual

The Sum to Virtual is used to easily create a Virtual Indicator that is the sum of other indicators. Select all the indicators of your choice while holding down the CTRL key or the SHIFT key on your keyboard and click Sum to Virtual. The formula will be automatically created by the system for you by adding up all your selected indicators.

For example, create a virtual indicator for Population Age 15 through 44:

1. Find the Population: Age and Gender data group and click the to expand.

2. Click to expand the Population by Age Cohort group.

3. Click to expand the Total Population Age Cohorts group.

4. From the list of Indicators, click Population from Age 15 - 17 Old. Hold down the SHIFT key and click Population from Age 40- 44 Old. All indicators are now selected.

5. Click Sum to Virtual to add these indicators to the Virtual Indicator Formula.

6. Notice the Number of Decimal Places to Display drop down. The system automatically defaults to zero decimals for all virtual indicators created. For various formulas such as those including monetary information you may want to modify.

7. Type in a unique name for the virtual indicator in the Virtual Indicator Name text box, such as Population Age 15 through 44.

8. Click Create Virtual to save the Virtual Indicator.

9. The system advises operation complete and asks if you want to share virtual.

• If you click No, message window closes and new indicator displays in indicator tree.

• If you click Yes, the Share Virtual window displays list of current GIS users in your company. Select users you'd like to share virtual indicator with and click OK. When the Your Virtual Indicator is available for the other users message displays click OK.

Use a Virtual Indicator

Virtual Indicators can be used in all the mapping modules and in MDx Reports.

To access in the map modules follow these steps:

1. In the Indicator tree find the User Defined database and click to expand.

2. Expand Virtual Indicators grouping.

3. Choose The virtual indicator you want to include in your report, map or query.

4. Virtual indicators for which you are not the owner appear with this icon .

In MDx Reports, Create Your Own Reports you'll find Virtual Indicators by:

1. Scroll to bottom of categories list.

2. Expand User Defined grouping.

3. Expand Virtual Indicators and then expand sub category Virtual Indicators.

4. Select the Virtual Indicator you want to include in your report .

Edit a Virtual Indicator

1. On the sub-menu click Create Virtual Indicator icon.

2. Expand User Defined grouping.

3. Expand Virtual Indicators and then expand sub category Virtual Indicators.

4. Select the Virtual Indicator you wish to edit. Virtual indicators for which you are not the owner appear with this icon and you will not be able to edit.

5. Click Edit Virtual. The Virtual Indicator's definition will be shown in the virtual indicator formula box.

6. Edit formula as desired.

7. Click Update Virtual to save the changes made.

8. The system advises operation complete and asks if you want to share virtual.

• If you click No, message window closes and new indicator displays in indicator tree.

• If you click Yes, the Share Virtual window displays list of current GIS users in your company. Select users you'd like to share virtual indicator with and click OK. When the Your Virtual Indicator is now available for the other users message displays click OK.

Share a Virtual Indicator

To share a previously created virtual indicator:

1. In the Indicator tree find the User Defined database and click to expand.

2. Expand Virtual Indicators grouping.

3. Choose the Virtual Indicator you want to share.

4. Right click and from the Context Menu select Share Virtual.

5. The Share Virtual window displays the list of current GIS users in your company. Select users you'd like to share virtual indicator with and click OK. When the Your Virtual Indicator is now available for the other users message displays click OK.

   NOTE:  Only the owner of indicator will be able to edit or delete virtual indicator. Virtual indicators for which you are not the owner appear with this icon .

Delete an Existing Virtual Indicator

1. On the sub-menu click the Create Virtual Indicator icon.

2. Expand User Defined grouping.

3. Expand Virtual Indicators and then expand sub category Virtual Indicators.

4. Choose the specific Virtual Indicator that you wish to delete. Virtual indicators for which you are not the owner appear with this icon and you will not be able to delete.

5. Click Delete Virtual. The dialog window displays.

6. Click Delete to permanently delete indicator or Cancel to retain virtual indicator.

What's Next:

Virtual Indicator: Traffic Count Points