Getting Started

It's time to familiarize yourself with MapInfo.

1. Open MapInfo
   1. Find the MapInfo Professional Icon on your Desktop Screen and click it twice with the left mouse button .
   2. If you are prompted with the Quick Start box select the Cancel Button.
      
2. Next we need to open a map so…
   1. Select File within the Word Toolbar.
   2. Next Select Open Table . (In the future you can just press Ctrl & O at the same time). Now you are in the Open Table Box, the information that we need is in the directory C:\MAPINFO\CLASS\LOWELL
   3. Within this directory open the following tables by selecting them and clicking the Open Button.
      Boundary, Census 96, Streets 97, Targets, Waterways
      Hint: Hold the Shift Key down as you make your selection, that way you can select multiple files. You can also use the Ctrl Key instead of the Shift Key to select specific multiple files.
      
3. Adjusting your Map - The Zoom level of your map may not be satisfactory to your specifications, so we need to adjust it.
   1. On the Toolbars find the three buttons that look like Magnified Glasses.
      The Magnified Glass with the Plus Sign = Zoom-in
      The Magnified Glass with the Minus Sign = Zoom-out
      The Magnified Glass with the Question Mark = Change View 
      
   2. Next click on each toolbar button and place your Mouse Icon over the map and click the left mouse button…WHAT HAPPENNED?
      When you choose Change View, you will be shown the Change View Box . Change the number in the Zoom (Window Width) mileage box.
      (7 mi is ideal for Lowell)
   3. Now we need to adjust the position of our map on the screen, so select the Hand Toolbar Button called the Grabber. It is to the right of the Change View Button .
   4. Now place your Mouse Icon over the map and click the left mouse button and hold it down and move your mouse icon around the screen…WHAT HAPPENNED?
      Center the map to your specifications.
      
4. Using Layer Control - Layer Control allows us to adjust and/or modify the layers in our map. You can either…
   1. Click the Layer Control Button in the Toolbar. It is the stack of papers three buttons to the right of the Grabber on the bottom toolbar.
   2. Place your Mouse Icon over the Map and click the right mouse button. Next select Layer Control. You are now looking at the Layer Control Box, what do you see?
   3. Up/Down You will notice that your map is layered with the table in a certain order top to bottom. LETS MOVE THEM AROUND!
      NOTE: The Cosmetic Layer will always be on the top. It cannot be moved.
   4. Select Census Tracts and move it up using the Up Button within the Reorder Box. Click OK
   5. Next select other layers and move them Up or Down. WHAT HAPPENNED?
   6. Visible/Editable (The Eye) - Now we can adjust our map by making certain layers not visible or visible.
   7. Find what looks like an Eye within the Layer Control Box and unselect the checked box on a layer within your map. Click OK. WHAT HAPPENNED?  Feel free to play with this feature, but when you are done restore all layers to visible (their box should be checked).
   8. Editable (The Pencil) - It allows you to edit your map
      NOTE:  Only one Layer can be edited at a time!
   9. Selectable (The Arrow)  - It allows you to select items on your map without editing them.
      NOTE: A Layer is either Selectable or editable. NEVER BOTH!
   10. Label (The Label) - Now we can adjust our map by labeling layers.
       Find what looks like a Label within the Layer Control Box and check a box on a layer within your map. Next click OK. WHAT HAPPENNED?
       Try another layer. WHAT HAPPENNED?
       NOTE: You can also label just a single feature on your map by clicking the label toolbar button on the bottom toolbar row. Next move the mouse cross hair to the item you want to label and click the left mouse button.
   11. To delete a single label click the Select Toolbar Button (The Arrow). It is the far left button on the Bottom Toolbar Row.
   12. Next move the Mouse Arrow over the label you want to delete and click to the left button. The label should now be highlighted. Now push the Delete key. WHAT HAPPENNED?
       
5. The Information Button gives you information on a single object on the map without applying a label.
   1. To use it click on the Lower Case i toolbar button on the lower toolbar and move the Mouse Cross Hair to item you want to select and click the left mouse button. You will notice that the Info Tool Box has appeared.
      Next try another item on your map.
   2. To remove the Info Tool Box click the X in it's top right corner.
      YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THIS SECTION!
      
6. It is time to close your map.
   1. In the Word Toolbar choose File. Next choose Close All. You will now be shown the Save Modified Table Data Box.
   2. CHOOSE DISCARD ALL!
      

It is time to move onto the Next Section...Select & Edit

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