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© 2002

MAPSPROG FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This web page provides solutions to common problems encountered by MAPSPROG users. We have compiled a list of the questions most frequently asked of the MAPSPROG support team, and provide answers to these questions below. If you have a question or encounter a problem that is not answered on this page, please contact Nicole Michel or Danielle Kaschube for advice.

  • I want to enter data using Microsoft Excel. How should I structure the file and import it into MAPSPROG?
    In order to simplify the data importation process, banding data should be entered into an Excel file which is formatted with the structure that is given in Appendix I in the MAPSPROG Manual. We have created an Excel template which already has this structure. Right-click on this link and select "Save Target As" from the pop-up menu, then save this file (MAPSTemplate.xls) to your computer. Data should be entered and imported into MAPSPROG following these steps:
    1. Enter banding data into this file (either after each day, at the end of the season, or in whatever order you prefer). A couple pointers:
      • Every record must have some value in the LOC, BS, PG, C, and STATION fields - you can not have any blanks in any of these columns. The correct BS code for a recapture is 'R', and 'U' is the correct BS code for an unbanded bird.
      • The DATE field needs to be entered as plain text, without any slashes. I strongly recommend entering it in the format YYYYMMDD (e.g., 20050531). MAPSPROG will not import entered in a date format (5/31/2005). If you enter it as MMDDYYYY, any leading zeros will be dropped, and those dates will also be imported incorrectly.
    2. When all data has been entered, save the file as a comma-delimited file, *.csv. You can do this by selecting "Comma-delimited file (.csv)" from the drop-down "Files of type" list in Excel's "Save" dialog box.
    3. Open MAPSPROG and select "Banding Data -> Import Data -> Import a delimited file and convert it to MAPS format -> Set up new parameters for import."
    4. Enter 37 fields, double-click on "comma" as the delimiter, and enter 'N' to indicate that there is no character delimiter. In the long, narrow field on the right, double-click on the 37 fields included in the file, in order (everything except SPEC6, HD, UPP, UNP, and COLOR), and enter the format you used for the DATE field after double-clicking that field (a small box will pop-up asking for this info).
    5. Click "Finished with import specifications" and, when asked, confirm that you wish to save these parameters to a file.
    6. Click "Select file for import" and select the *.csv file you saved in step 2.
    7. Click "Import file". If a list of errors is produced, print up the list of individual errors and correct all these, then repeat steps 2-6. Otherwise, enter the LOC code (twice), then click "Proceed with import". When asked whether to append or replace records, select the appropriate option (append if you're adding this data to other data from the year that already is in RAWMAPS, replace if the file you're appending contains all the data for that year).


  • I installed and used MAPSPROG Version 3.8 in April or May 2004. How do I avoid problems with duplicate data?
    If you installed and used MAPSPROG Version 3.8 before installing the Version 3.8.1 update (between April 6 and May 20, 2004), you may encounter problems with duplicate records in TEMPMAPS and/or NEWMAPS. If you did not use MAPSPROG Version 3.8 to do any within-record or between-record verification (i.e., you only entered raw banding data, from any year, into RAWMAPS), you can avoid encountering duplicate records by following these steps:

    1. When transferring data from RAWMAPS to TEMPMAPS, select "Replace Records."
    2. When transferring data from TEMPMAPS to NEWMAPS, select "Replace Records."
    3. Append your previous years' banding data into NEWMAPS from your <LOC><YR>.dbf (e.g., MIWO03.dbf) file, using the "Append data files to NEWMAPS" option in the "Banding Data -> Between-record Processing" submenu.

    If you used MAPSPROG Version 3.8 to conduct within-record or between-record verification, you may encounter duplicate records in TEMPMAPS and/or NEWMAPS. If duplicate records exist, you will receive the error message "You have multiple records of this band number with code 'N'." when you run the "Verify between-record consistency of data" step. You can delete the duplicate records individually, by entering the duplicate band numbers into the "Edit records in NEWMAPS for between-record consistency" form, placing the cursor on the duplicate record, and pressing <CTRL>U. If you have a large number of duplicate records, please contact Nicole Michel (nmichel@birdpop.org, 360-326-3583) or Danielle Kaschube (dkaschube@birdpop.org) for assistance in removing duplicate records.


  • How can I tell which version of MAPSPROG I have installed?
    Open MAPSPROG and select the "Utilities" menu item. The version number should be listed at the top of the drop-down menu. If the first line says "Display previous operations", you have MAPSPROG Version 3.5 or earlier, and will need to uninstall your current version before upgrading to Version 3.8. Please follow the instructions on the MAPSPROG page and the Preserving Data when Reinstalling MAPSPROG instructions to ensure that no data is lost in the process.


  • Which operating systems are compatible with MAPSPROG?
    MAPSPROG is designed for use on computers running Windows 3.1 or higher or Windows 95, 98, 2000 Professional, ME, XP Home, or XP Professional, although some operators have reported problems when using MAPSPROG on computers running Windows ME. MAPSPROG was not designed to work on Macintosh, UNIX, or Linux systems; however some operators have been able to run MAPSPROG on Macintosh or Linux systems using Virtual PC or similar programs that create a Windows-emulating environment.


  • How do I import MAPSPROG data into Band Manager
    Step-by-step instructions for preparing the MAPSPROG file and importing data into Band Manager are provided in the Setting Up Band Manager instructions prepared by Al Sherkow and Nicole Michel.


  • When I open MAPSPROG, one of the drop-down menu headers or menu options is "grayed out" and can not be activated.
    Close MAPSPROG then re-open the program - if the problem continues, close MAPSPROG then restart your computer.


  • When I click on a menu item, I get an error message that says "ERROR - Class does not exist".
    Close MAPSPROG then re-open the program - if you still get the error message, close MAPSPROG then restart your computer.


  • An error message appeared saying that DB55RUN.EXE has become unstable. What do I do?
    Close MAPSPROG (if it has not already closed on its own), close any other programs that may be open, and restart your computer. If this error message appears again after you have restarted your computer, your copy of the program has become corrupted and you will need to uninstall and reinstall the program. Please follow the instructions on the MAPSPROG page and the Preserving Data when Reinstalling MAPSPROG instructions to ensure that no data is lost in the process.


  • "No table in use in area:3" error message when running "Messages identifying ways to improve data collection"
    This error message was due to a problem in MAPSPROG Version 3.7.2, and has been fixed in Version 3.8. Please download and install the MAPSPROG Version 3.8 Update, available on our MAPSPROG Page.


  • When I try to open MAPSPROG, I get an error message that says "Printer name must be shorter than 32 characters. Please set a default printer."
    This is a common problem when using MAPSPROG on a computer that is part of a large network which assigns printers lengthy paths and names. If possible, try to use a local printer rather than a network printer. If you happen to have an extra printer available, hook it up to your computer while running MAPSPROG (you don't have to actually print to it).

    If you can't hook up a local printer, and you are using a computer running Windows 98, you can capture the printer port (this essentially maps the printer path and causes the computer to treat the network printer as if it is a local printer). To do this, open the Printers folder, right-click on the default printer, and select "Properties" from the drop-down list. Click on the "Details" tab, click on "Capture Printer Port", then select the first LPT port which does not already have a printer path and name associated with it.

    If this does not solve the problem, or if your computer does not run Windows 98, you can install a "Print to FILE" printer and set it as the default printer when using MAPSPROG. Follow these instructions for Setting up a "Print to FILE" printer.


  • How do I remove MAPSPROG from my computer?
    To remove MAPSPROG from your computer, simply delete the C:\IBP folder and all files within it.


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