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How to use this Dashboard
How to use this Dashboard

A guide for readers and constituents to get the most out of a mySidewalk interactive dashboard.

Jennifer Funk avatar
Written by Jennifer Funk
Updated over a week ago

How to use this Dashboard

This dashboard is designed to be interactive and accessible. Below are resources for better understanding the functionality of the dashboard and the methodology used to compute the outcome index scores, as well as other relevant resources. Read on below to get the full experience, including information on:

  • Exporting Data

  • Filtering Visuals

  • Printing Dashboard Pages

  • Hyperlinking Content

  • Footnotes

  • Finding Margin of Error

  • Data Dictionary

Exporting Data

Data can be exported as a CSV (spreadsheet), SVG or PNG (photos), or even GeoJSON (for GIS applications). To see what file types are available for export, click on the bar graph icon in the top right of a visualization. Click your desired file type and the file will begin downloading.

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Filtering Visuals

Hovering over a label on a visualization will immediately highlight the topic for focus. Sometimes it's helpful to view a few pieces in a more direct way. Click directly on the label to turn the filter on and off. You can then export the filtered visualization at its current view.

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Printing Dashboard Pages

Individual pages on this dashboard can be printed. To print, scroll down to the bottom of your selected page to load all content. Next, right click with your mouse to pull up your context menu and click "Print." Alternatively, you can select "File" at the top of your browser and click "Print" after you have scrolled down to load all content. Both methods will pull up your computer's printer options where you can print the individual page.

Hyperlinking Content

To link directly to a specific section on a page, hover over a heading or visualization. Two chain links should appear. Clicking on those links will move that heading or visualization to the top of the page, and you can then copy the link in the search bar to use as a direct link to that section of a page. You can also right click and select "copy link address."

You can bookmark the link, and email or share it on social media.

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Footnotes

To learn more about an indicator, use the footnotes located at the bottom of all visualizations. Information will include the indicator's source and some additional definition or context about the indicator.

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Finding Margin of Error

Many estimates in this dashboard come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). These estimates are derived from survey data and therefore are subject to sampling error. The margin of error (MOE), published by the Census, measures the potential difference between the estimated and the actual real-world value.

Details on every ACS estimate in this dashboard are available through the U.S. Census website. Please use the following directions, also found in the video below:

  1. Copy the ACS 5-year estimate table number located in the footnote of the visualization found on this dashboard.

  2. Go to data.census.gov and paste the table number in the search bar. Select the corresponding search result.

  3. At the top of the page, underneath the table number and name, select the product titled "ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables" for the most recent calendar year available.

  4. Immediately below that row, click on the "Geographies" tab. Select "Tract" in the selection.

  5. Next, select your state, county, and your desired tract numbers (the same as the last 4 digits shown in your dashboard. Note that if the tract number has "00" at the end, remove them from your search).

  6. Select "CLOSE" at the bottom right of the page. The margin of error will now be shown for your selection.

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