The Bing Maps add-in for Excel is a powerful tool that provides geospatial functions. It enables users to overlay spatial data and perform geoprocessing tasks right from within their spreadsheets. Here are several uses of the Bing Map Add-In For Excel
1) Create custom Google Map-style reports
Another useful feature of the map add-in is the ability to create your custom maps, such as those that mimic Google Maps designs or styles. Using one of the pre-built templates allows users to upload their map images and access dozens of customizations to design maps that fit their requirements.
2) add location data to an existing workbook
You can also use the map add-in to import GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates into Excel spreadsheets. This makes it easy to draw custom pinpoints on your maps.
3) Overlay multiple layers of data in a single map
The bing maps add in excel also allows users to overlay different types of spatial information, such as points, polygons, rectangles, and geometry shapes, onto one map. Users could make this quick reference guide for important locations like the closest grocery store or retail outlets.
4) Analyze Geospatial Data Using Geocoding Tools
The Bing Maps add-in for Excel includes geospatial analysis tools that enable users to perform geocoding and distance measuring tasks. Geocoding refers to translating a physical address such as a street or landmark into an x, y coordinate pair for location plotting. Distance measuring is used to find the distance between two points on Earth based on their latitudinal and longitudinal values.
5) Convert coordinates to X, Y values
The Bing Maps add-in also provides the ability to convert between different coordinate systems. Coordinates can be converted from latitude and longitude lines or UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) zones to a user-defined reference system and vice versa.
6) Connect to external shapefiles
Users running Excel 2010 or the preview edition of Excel 2013 can also extend their mapping capabilities through connections to external spatial data. This provides the ability to use unbound GIS (Geographic Information Systems), map, and CAD formats with Bing Maps, particularly useful for large organizations.
7) Create custom graphics and overlays using VBA
The Bing Maps add-in allows power users to customize their maps by creating new layers on top of existing maps. This is done by leveraging Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), a programming language built into Microsoft Office. You can create geographic annotation objects on your maps with VBA code, such as polygons, lines, and custom icons.
8) Perform geoprocessing tasks with the Bing Maps API
Another powerful feature of the map add-in is its ability to perform geoprocessing tasks ( such as distance and area measurements, reverse geocoding, finding the closest resources, or locating features within a geographic region ) using the Bing Maps REST API.
9) Combine spatial data from multiple sources
The Bing Maps add-in also provides the ability to combine and visualize geographical data from multiple sources. This can be helpful for retailers who want to understand demographics about their customers by combining store location base data and household income estimates.
Conclusion:
The bing maps add in excel for Excel is a powerful tool that provides geospatial functions. It enables users to overlay spatial data and perform geoprocessing tasks right from within their spreadsheets.