Uploading data in excel spreadsheet into a GPS receiver

A lot of field work data is reported in the form of tables and spreadsheets. A field staff will normally document his or her field data in excel tables and then file them in with the report. Therefore, it is usually the first source to retrieve locational data from. We will be demonstrating this process using the DNR GPS software as an intermediary to do the conversion to GPX files as well as to upload the data into the GPS receiver.

Task
In this demonstration, we will do the following:
- Save Excel data in a format that DNR GPS will recognize- Text Tab delimited.
- Convert using DNR GPS to GPX format
- Upload to the GPS as Waypoints, routes or tracks.

Procedure
1. Launch microsoft Excel. Navigate to where the file is and Open in excel.


2. Save type as Text (Tab Delimited)*txt* in the Save as dialog box. Click yes for any prompts that pop up during the process.


3. Launch DNR GPS. File > Load From>File (red boxed). Navigate to the Text file just created.


4. Open it and it will load into DNR GPS.


5. File > Save To> File. In the Save as dialog box, this time for Save Type as - select from the dropdown list- GPS Xchange file *gpx*


6. Select Waypoints, tracks or routes as is appropriate. For this demo, waypoint is selected.


7. Connect the GPS receiver, go to Waypoints> Upload. It will prompt for the name, fill the name and OK. The Upload complete message box will show.


8. Disconnect the GPS receiver and check the GPX folder in the Garmin drive for the waypoints.

How to Check the Garmin GPS receiver for GPX files
Go to the Drive on your computer- Garmin Drive E
Open the drive and Click on the Garmin Folder
In the Garmin Folder, locate the GPX folder
Open the folder and look for the uploaded file.

The recreational User and the GPS receiver

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is a satellite based system which was primarily set up to ascertain the geographic position and assist in navigation from one place to another.
Previously, GPS receivers were seen as tools for the surveyor until the popularity of the car GPS changed that perception. The moment GPS trackers started becoming a rave, other recreational applications of this tool became very evident.
Hence we decided to post up some recreational uses of the GPS receiver so as to stimulate interest in them for in our local market.


Trekking, Jogging and Hiking - Many of us know the feeling we get after a good hiking trip or early morning jog or trek. It does wonders for the soul and body, keeping one in shape-body and mind. Well, strapping a GPS receiver along can also add more fun by allowing you to gather some statistics about your regular walk namely, your distance covered, elevation model of the terrain, time taken to cover the distance amongst others. You can also plot this on a map and compare your different routes over time.


 Geo-caching- this recreational use was developed by users some years back. Geo-caching involves documenting and sharing geographic coordinates of different Points of Interest and then tasking each other to find these spots. The activity became so popular that GPS manufacturers started to add a Geo-caching menu to their devices and softwares.


 Car GPS- By far the most popular recreational use in the world. Motorist in most countries now use the car GPS to navigate addresses within the city and even countries. By the broad term navigation, I mean things like, choosing the best routes, information on traffic and road repairs. The biggest limitation for expansion in that area locally is our over-generalized post code system, poor road network information and poor attitude to data generation.
  
Adventure- Using the GPS receiver on adventure trips is also a growing recreational niche. Users are able to document onto the internet real time the spatial and non-spatial character of their favourite historical sites, cultural centres and other adventure based themes to an audience continents away.
As the niche of recreational users grow, so also are the manufacturers adapting to the needs of this all important market. Recent versions of even mid-range GPS receivers now have features only seen before in high grade GNSS devices. Inbuilt digital cameras, online connectivity, satellite imagery download, custom maps and Bluetooth capability. The handhelds are lighter and are more aesthetic in body design, touchscreen and even possess near field wireless communication protocols.
On the technical side, recent technological advancements have produced recreational GPS receiver units with far less error rates than before, thereby giving the users almost accurate locational data. Faster processing chips make them to locate and track satellites much faster than before, making them much easier to use on the go.


You can give us a feedback for more information on this topic. We will be delighted to hear from you.

Lets see what we can do with data with address

Let’s take a closer look at population data in this Nigeria.

Surprising trends can pop up when we do! How much or how little do we know about the demographic spread of human beings –male and female in Nigeria? Let’s take a cursory look at the facts based on the 2006 Federal census undertaken by the National Population Commission of Nigeria.

Table showing the human population in Nigeria per State and the FCT (2006 Census)

Name	Male_pop	Female_pop	Total
Abia	1434193	1399806	2833999
Adamawa	1606123	1561978	3168101
Akwa Ibom	2044510	1875698	3920208
Anambra	2174641	2007391	4182032
Bauchi	2426215	2250250	4676465
Bayelsa	902648	800710	1703358
Benue	2164058	2055186	4219244
Borno	2161157	1990036	4151193
Cross River	1492465	1396501	2888966
Delta	2074306	2024085	4098391
Ebonyi	1040984	1132517	2173501
Edo	1640461	1577871	3218332
Ekiti	1212609	1171603	2384212
Enugu	1624202	1633096	3257298
FCT	740489	664712	1405201
Gombe	1230722	1123157	2353879
Imo	2032286	1902613	3934899
Jigawa	2215907	2132742	4348649
Kaduna	3112028	2954534	6066562
Kano	4844128	4539554	9383682
Katsina	2978682	2813896	5792578
Kebbi	1617498	1621130	3238628
Kogi	1691737	1566750	3258487
Kwara	1220581	1150508	2371089
Lagos	4678020	4335513	9013533
Nassarawa	945556	917719	1863275
Niger	2032725	1917524	3950249
Ogun	1847243	1810855	3658098
Ondo	1761263	1679761	3441024
Osun	1740619	1679761	3420380
Oyo	2809840	2781749	5591589
Plateau	1593033	1585679	3178712
Rivers	2710665	2474735	5185400
Sokoto	1872069	1824930	3696999
Taraba	1199849	1100887	2300736
Yobe	1206003	1115588	2321591
Zamfara	1630344	1629502	3259846

Now let’s see this table as geographic information and ask ourselves> where are the most densely populated places in our country? And why are these places densely populated? Is it because of movement of people? Are these movements inspired by economic or security reasons?

Population gradient maps shows ‘Very High’ population density (person per sqm) in Lagos, followed by ‘high’ values in the south-eastern region minus Ebonyi and Enugu States.

All well and good, let’s play a card trick. We overlay the population map over this population density map to see whether high population figure equals high population density

Great!! Looking closely, Kano as an example is has high population and high population density. But look at the south-east, though with high population density, they have low populations suggesting an acute shortage of land. Little wonder, as a region, they have high record of internal migration. (States highlighted by the green line have high pop density and high pop figure.)

   

Hope you have enjoyed our little show, just demonstrating how table data with addresses can become a good source of planning information. Feel free to comment and ask questions!!

Check out our vector download page for KML file on the South West region of Nigeria, its there for only a limited time!!!!