Getting Data into a GIS Attribute data are available in different formats, so data may need to be manipulated in order to bring it into the GIS database. Other common database formats are Oracle and Informix. SAS data files are less easily imported. Usually we translate to dBase from SAS and then import. Examples of attribute data include the US Census Bureau STF files, which are in a dBase format and are available either on CD Rom or via the World Wide Web.
Spatial data are also available in several formats, either digital or as paper or mylar maps.
They may be in a generic digital format which needs to be translated into the specific format for your GIS, or coverages may be available in an export format which can be brought into the GIS directly. Other options include scanning a map using a scanner connected to the GIS, or digitizing, using a digitizing tablet to set up a correspondence between the paper map on the digitizing tablet and the digital file in the computer. Check with WWW sites or researchers in your field to find out if a coverage of appropriate scale and extent is available already in digital format for your study. Scaling issues It is important that the data sets you are using and combining in a GIS are at appropriate and compatible scales. Use the metadata associated with a data set to help you determine this.