Spider Graph Tool - MapInfo_Pro - 2023

The Spider Graph tool draws lines between objects in a single table, or the objects from two tables based on a join. It then creates a new table of lines that connect the objects from the original table(s) based on matching column names. By default, the lines are color-coded based on their table of origin. Also by default, the new table includes a distance column that stores the length of each line.

As an example, if you have Stores and Customers as two tables, and both tables have a store identifier column then the SpiderGraph tool can create a new table with lines connecting customers to their store. The resulting table contains the lines as well as chosen attributes from the input table(s), along with a column that stores the length of each line. The lines can be color-coded based on their attribute of origin.

For information about how to add a tool to the Tool Manager, see Working with MapInfo Pro Tools.

Using the Spider Graph Tool

To use the Spider Graph tool:

1. Open the MapInfo tables you want to work with.
2. In the Tools Manager, ensure that the Spider Graph tool is loaded.
3. Click Spider graph to activate the tool.

1. In the Spider Graph dialog box, select the origin table from the left drop-down list. Then select the column name that will be used to join the origin table to the destination table.
2. Select the destination table from the right drop-down list. Then select the column name that will be used to join the destination table to the origin table.
3. Select the columns that you want to include in the resulting table. To select multiple columns, press the Ctrl key while you click. If you do not choose any columns, Spider Graph will automatically include the join column specified for the origin table.
4. By default, the Spider Graph tool will color-code the resulting lines and add a distance column to the new table to record the length of each line. If you do not want these features, clear the appropriate check box. The distance lines will use units of miles by default. To change this, select another distance unit from the Units drop-down list.
5. Click Create Lines and enter a new name for the resulting table in the Save Copy As dialog box.
6. In the Save Copy As window, use the Save in drop-down list to select the target folder for the resulting .TAB file. In the File name area, type a file name for the resulting table.
7. Click Save.

   As an example, the following portion of a resulting map window shows the Warehouse to Customer relationships in the Ohio, West Virginia region of the USA.