BAS GUPS Respondent Guide

16_BASRespondentGuide_GUPS.pdf

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) & Boundary Validation Program (BVP)

BAS GUPS Respondent Guide

OMB: 0607-0151

Document [pdf]
Download: pdf | pdf
Boundary and Annexation Survey
Respondent Guide: GUPS
Instructions for Using the Geographic Update Partnership Software
(GUPS)
DRAFT— Last Revised October 30, 2015

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economic and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
census.gov

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose of the Boundary and Annexation Survey .................................................................................... 1
Respondent Guide Organization ............................................................................................................... 1
PART 1: BOUNDARY ANNEXATION SURVEY OVERVIEW .............................................................................. 3
1 Initial Steps ............................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Obtaining the GUPS ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Obtaining Census Shapefiles ........................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Knowing BAS Requirements............................................................................................................ 4
1.4 Getting Help .................................................................................................................................... 5
2 BAS Data Reviews.................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Reviewing Legal Boundaries ........................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Reviewing Linear Features .............................................................................................................. 7
2.3 Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas ..................................................................... 8
2.4 Reviewing Point Landmarks .......................................................................................................... 10
3 Quality Control and File Submission .................................................................................................... 12
3.1 Validating Updates ........................................................................................................................ 12
3.2 Submitting Files Through SWIM.................................................................................................... 12
PART 2 HOW TO USE THE GUPS ................................................................................................................. 13
4 Getting Started..................................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 System and Hardware Requirements ........................................................................................... 13
4.2 How to Install the GUPS ............................................................................................................... 14
4.3 How to Copy Shapefiles from the DVD to Your Computer ........................................................... 15
4.4 How to Download Shapefiles from the Geography Partnership Website ................................... 15
4.5 How to Download Shapefiles from the ftp2 Site ......................................................................... 15
5 Using GUPS (GUPS Basics and Map Management) .............................................................................. 17
5.1 How to Open the GUPS and Start a New Project.......................................................................... 17
5.2 How to Use the GUPS Interface .................................................................................................... 22
5.3 How to Import User-Provided Data into the GUPS....................................................................... 39
6 Making BAS Updates in the GUPS ........................................................................................................ 44
6.1 How to Update Legal Boundaries ................................................................................................. 44

I

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT
6.2 How to Update Linear Features .................................................................................................... 53
6.3 How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas ........................................................... 57
6.4 How to Update Point Landmarks .................................................................................................. 61
6.5 How to Use the GUPS Review Tools ............................................................................................. 63
6.6 How to Export Map to Print .......................................................................................................... 65
6.7 How to Export a .zip File to Share or Submit ................................................................................ 66
7 Submitting Your Files Through SWIM ................................................................................................. 68
APPENDIX A: CONTACT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ......................................................................... 71
APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC CORRIDORS AND GEOGRAPHIC OFFSETS....................................................... 72
APPENDIX C: MTFCC DESCRIPTIONS – COMPLETE LIST ............................................................................. 74
APPENDIX D: ACCEPTED STREET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................ 84

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Statement:
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. This collection is voluntary. The authority for conducting
this collection comes from Title 13 U.S.C, Section 6. Paperwork Reduction Act.
The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0607-0151. Public reporting for this collection of
information is estimated to be approximately 2 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to::
Paperwork Project 0607-0151
United States Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Room 3K138
Washington, DC 20233
You may also email comments to: [email protected]. Use “Paperwork Project 0607-0151” as the subject and
cc: [email protected]

ii |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Introduction
Purpose of the Boundary and Annexation Survey
The Census Bureau conducts the annual Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) to collect
information about selected legally defined geographic areas. The BAS collects data on counties
(or equivalent areas), incorporated places, minor civil divisions such as parishes or townships
(known as MCDs), and federally recognized American Indian Areas (AIAs), including
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and tribal subdivisions. Section 6 of Title 13 of the
United States Code authorizes the BAS. Participation in the BAS is voluntary.
The BAS benefits both federal and local governments. Each year, Census partners update the
names, legal boundaries, and boundary-to-feature relationships of geographic areas for which
their local governmental unit (GU) has jurisdiction. These updates are incorporated into the
Census Bureau’s Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and
Referencing (MAF/TIGER) database. Partner-provided updates to this database help ensure
that the Census Bureau assigns the correct population to each GU and that it supplies accurate
boundary data to Census and other federal programs.
In particular, data collected through the BAS are used to update the results of the decennial
census of the U.S. population (on which legislative districts and representation are based), and
the decennial economic census. The BAS also serves as a central source of data for the
Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) and Population Estimates Program
(PEP). Many state and federal entities employ the decennial population and economic
censuses, the ACS, and the PEP and to allocate funds for services to GUs.
In compliance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the BAS also helps fulfill
the Census Bureau’s spatial data steward responsibilities toward the Federal Geographic Data
Committee and the Geospatial One-Stop, both interagency initiatives aimed at integrating and
standardizing federal data sources. In addition, the BAS provides information on boundaries,
codes, and names for the U.S. Geological Survey’s The National Map Program and the
Geographic Names Information System.

Respondent Guide Organization
For the BAS, three methods are available to provide updates:
1. GUPS (Geographic Update Partnership Software) – The GUPS, based on an opensource platform known as QGIS, is a customized geographic information system (GIS)
provided by the Census Bureau. The GUPS is tailored to meet the needs of those
without extensive GIS experience and replaces the MAF/TIGER Partnership Software
(MTPS) previously used in BAS. (Note: If you would like more information on the
QGIS open-source platform, go to: http://www.qgis.org/en/site/)
2. Digital BAS – Expert GIS users may employ their own GIS to make updates.
3. Paper BAS – For those who do not wish to complete their work on the computer,
updates may also be made using paper maps.
1|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

This guide has been created for those who choose to participate in the survey using the GUPS.
Those using their own GIS should consult the Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent
Guide: Digital BAS or the Boundary and Annexation Survey Tribal Respondent Guide: Digital.
Both are available on the BAS website
at https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_response.html
Those using paper maps should consult Boundary and Annexation Survey: Paper at the same
location.
This guide contains two parts:
•

Part 1 – Provides an overview of the BAS. It specifies the:
-

•

Guidelines and requirements for the BAS
Overall BAS workflow
Information specific to the review and update of each type of geographic entity
Methods available to validate and submit your changes.

Part 2 – Describes the GUPS and gives step-by-step instructions for how to:
-

Obtain and install the GUPS application
Load Census shapefiles into the GUPS
Import your own data files into the GUPS
Correct and update the Census shapefiles using GUPS tools
Validate your changes and create output files in the GUPS
Submit your output files using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM).

Hyperlinks are included in Parts 1 and 2, where appropriate, to connect to the information in the
other part (that is, you may click a hyperlink to view the GUPS step-by-step instructions for a
topic if you are in Part 1, or go to the procedural overview for the topic if you are in Part 2).

2|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

PART 1: BOUNDARY ANNEXATION SURVEY OVERVIEW
Figure 1 below displays the three phases of the work to be completed for the BAS. The first
section in the diagram includes initial steps. The second section indicates the types of
geographic data that should be reviewed and updated. The final section lists the methods
available to validate and submit changes.
Chapters 1, 2, and 3 are organized around the topical areas in the diagram and provide needed
program information and procedures, as well as relevant deadlines. (See Appendix A of this
document for a list of contacts and helpful program links.) LINK
Figure 1 BAS Workflow

1 Initial Steps
1.1 Obtaining the GUPS
If you note on your Annual Response Form, or by other means, that you have boundary
changes to report, the Census Bureau will mail you the GUPS software on DVD.

3|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

1.2 Obtaining Census Shapefiles
When you receive the GUPS on DVD, you will receive a second DVD in the package containing
the shapefiles for your area. If for some reason a shapefile is missing or corrupted, the
shapefiles are also available for download from the Geography Partnership
website: https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_download.html
Click here to review step-by-step instructions for how to copy Census shapefiles from the DVD
to your computer. LINK
1.3 Knowing BAS Requirements
1.3.1 Deadlines
Deadlines for the current BAS year are:
•

January 1 – All boundary changes must be legally in effect on or before this date to be
reported under the current BAS year.
Changes
with
Effective
Dates After
January 1

The Census Bureau will accept changes legally effective after
January 1 for inclusion in the shapefiles for the next BAS year.
However, these changes will not appear in this year’s American
Community Survey (ACS) or Population Estimates Program (PEP)
data. Any changes you submit that become effective after January
1 will be reflected in the following year’s ACS and PEP data.

•

March 1 – You must submit changes by this date if you wish them to be included in this
year’s ACS and PEP data. Changes reported by March 1 will also be included in the
BAS shapefiles for the next BAS year.

•

May 31 – This is the deadline for changes to be submitted for the current BAS year.
Changes received between March 2 and May 31 will be reflected in the shapefiles for
the next BAS year. However, they will not appear in this year’s ACS or PEP data.

1.3.2 Legal Disputes
If an area of land is in dispute between two or more jurisdictions, the Census Bureau will not
make either annexation or boundary corrections until the parties come to a written agreement,
or until there is a documented final court decision regarding the matter/dispute. If you have
questions concerning this, please contact the Census Bureau Legal Office at 301-763-9844.
For disputes involving tribal areas, the Census Bureau must defer to the Office of the Solicitor at
the Department of the Interior for a legal opinion. Often, complicated land issues require an
extended period of time for resolution, and in those cases, the Census Bureau will retain the
current boundary in the database until a legal opinion is issued by the Solicitor’s office.
1.3.3 Specific State Arrangements and Agreements
The Census Bureau has established a number of arrangements and agreements with states for
reporting boundary changes. If your state is interested in establishing a BAS state agreement,
please consult the Census Bureau’s Geography Partnership website
at http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_sa.html. You may also call the Geography
Division’s Legal Areas Team at 301-763-1099 or send an email to [email protected].
4|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

State
Agreement
Requirement

Please note that the Census Bureau can only establish BAS state
agreements for states that require local governments to report boundary
changes to a state agency.

1.4 Getting Help
1.4.1 GUPS Help
As noted in the Introduction, instructions for how to use the GUPS are contained in Part 2 of this
guide. The guide is available under the Help function in the GUPS application, and can be
accessed at any time, allowing you to see step-by-step instructions as you complete your work.
The GUPS also includes short (3- to 7-minute) training videos that explain specific update
activities, the validation process, and the submission of files through SWIM. These videos may
also be accessed at any time while you are working in the application. They are also available
under the Help function within the GUPS. LINK
For questions concerning technical problems with the GUPS application, user support is
available via telephone (1-800-972-5651) and email ([email protected]). Questions can also
be faxed to 1-800-972-5652, attention BAS Partnership.
1.4.2 BAS Help
GUPS users may find the Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: Digital BAS
helpful. Although designed for experienced GIS users, it provides important information
on geocoding, topological relationships, and spatial accuracy relevant to Census shapefiles.
This guide can be downloaded
at http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_response.html#dig
The Census Bureau has also created a video on the subject of topology and why topology is
important to the BAS. For more information, please go
to http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/videos/digitalproctopo.html to view this video.

5|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

2 BAS Data Reviews
In the BAS, the Census Bureau requests that you review and update the boundaries and / or
attributes of four types of geographic entities:
•
•
•
•

Legal entities
Linear features
Area landmarks and hydrographic areas
Point landmarks.

To help you conduct your review, the GUPS application will allow you to import and overlay data
layers of your own with the Census shapefiles. You can import your own image files or files from
web mapping services or geodatabases, as well as other file types. Step-by-step directions for
importing user-provided geospatial data are discussed in Section 5.3. LINK
2.1 Reviewing Legal Boundaries
In reviewing legal boundaries, please examine the Census shapefiles for all legal entities in your
jurisdiction. These include:
•
•
•

Incorporated places
Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) such as unincorporated towns, parishes, and townships
Counties

Table 1 below shows the specific changes allowed for each legal entity type.
Table 1 Available Change Types by Legal Entity

Legal Entity

Available Change Types

Incorporated Place

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

New Entity
Deleted Entity (Disincorporation)
Addition or Annexation
Deletion or Deannexation
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)
Geographic Corridor
Geographic Offset

County Subdivision (MCD)

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

New Entity
Deleted Entity
Addition or Annexation
Deletion or Deannexation
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)
Geographic Offset

County

•
•
•
•

Addition or Annexation
Deletion or Deannexation
Boundary Correction (add)
Boundary Correction (remove)

6|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

For a detailed discussion of geographic corridors and geographic offsets, see Appendix B.
LINK
Boundary Changes to Legal Entities
For a boundary change to an existing legal entity (or the addition or deletion
Requirements of a legal entity) to be processed as a Legal Change, you are not required to
for Legal
submit paperwork documenting the change. You must, however, provide the
Boundary
effective date, authorization type, and ordinance number.
Changes
Note: Although additional documentation is not required, we do strongly
encourage you to attach supporting paperwork to your submission (you may
do this directly in GUPS). The paperwork will expedite our ability to reconcile
and process any legal updates.
Boundary Changes to Legal Entities in Georgia and Indiana
Georgia: Any legal boundary change made to an incorporated place in the
state of Georgia must include: (1) the effective date, and (2) the acreage of
the new entity. In addition, before entering the change, you must ensure that
all annexation / deannexation information has been reported to the
Department of Community Affairs. The Department provides the Census
Bureau a list of the entities that reported boundary changes each year. Any
legal boundary changes to incorporated places not on this list will not be
placed in MAF/TIGER. For additional information,
see: http://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_sa.html
Indiana: Per Indiana state law, counties must provide the legal boundary
updates for townships. For more information, refer to Indiana Code 36-6
Government of Townships
at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar6/ch1.html.
If you have questions about required documentation for your particular
jurisdiction, contact the Geography Division by phone at 1-800-972-5651 or
by email at [email protected].
2.2 Reviewing Linear Features
It is important that Census Bureau data reflect the most recent linear features to ensure that
new or previously missed housing units located along these features are identified and located.
When reviewing linear features (all edges layer) on the Census shapefiles, first determine
whether any features are missing or need to be deleted. Pay particular attention to areas that
have experienced recent population growth or construction activities, as these are the most
likely to possess new or altered linear features (e.g., new streets in subdivisions, traffic circles
converted to straight ways, or privately maintained roads that serve as public streets but
exclude private driveways).
You may also add attribute updates (e.g., name, classification code, and address ranges) for
selected features. For a complete list of MAF/TIGER Feature Class Codes (MTFCCs), see
Appendix C. LINK

7|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

To aid in the review of linear features, the GUPS allows you to import street centerline,
hydrographic, imagery, and other user-provided geospatial data for reference and comparison
against the Census Bureau shapefile data.
In your review, please note:
S1100 &
S1200

If you add road features with an MTFCC of S1100 (Primary Road) or S1200
(Secondary Road), you must supply a feature name. As for all road features,
the feature name should be a proper name or route number.

The Census Bureau will not process the wholesale spatial realignment of
features to enhance spatial accuracy. If a feature is in the incorrect location,
Handling
delete the feature and add it in the correct location. Take this action, however,
Spatial
Inaccuracies only if the feature is exceedingly incorrect spatially and/or the current location
(with respect to other features and boundaries) affects the assignment of
housing units to the correct geography, such as legal entities, census tracts,
and census blocks.

Address
Range
Changes

The Census Bureau accepts address range data as part of the linear feature
update layer. As with other linear feature updates, you must supply the
required attributes and corresponding change type for the update. In addition,
because existing address ranges are not shown in our outgoing shapefiles,
we recommend that participants generally only add address ranges to new
features.

2.3 Reviewing Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas
The Census Bureau accepts updates to area landmarks and hydrographic areas in a similar
manner to legal boundary changes. However, area landmarks and hydro areas are not legal
entities, so no documentation or effective dates are required.
Allowable updates for area landmarks and hydrographic areas are:
•
•
•
•

Add new area landmark or hydrographic area
Remove area landmark or hydrographic area
Change or add landmark name
Boundary corrections (add and remove area)

If you add a new area landmark or hydrographic area, please add only:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Water bodies
Glaciers
Airports
Cemeteries
Golf courses
Parks

The Census Bureau cannot add other types of area landmark / hydrographic areas to the
MAF/TIGER database at this time (even though others may already exist in the database).

8|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 2 below shows the acceptable MTFCC codes for new area landmarks or hydro areas.
Table 2 Acceptable MTFCC Codes for New Area Landmarks / Hydrographic Areas
MTFCC

Description

H2030

Lake/Pond

H2040

Reservoir

H2041

Treatment Pond

H2051

Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2081

Glacier

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent Care Facility

K2131

Hospital

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1236

Local Jail or Detention Center

K1237

Federal Penitentiary, State Prison, or Prison Farm

K2110

Military Installation

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service Land

K2182

National Forest or Other Federal Land

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2188

Incorporated Place Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2189

Private Park, Forest, or Recreation Area

K2190

Other Park, Forest, or Recreation Area (quasi-public, independent park,
commission, etc.)

K2424

Marina

K2540

University or College

K2457

Airport – Area Representation

K2561

Golf Course

K2582

Cemetery

Note: If adding an MTFCC K2457 (Airport – Area Representation) area landmark, please limit
the updates to major airports (major regional and international airports). The feature should
show the full extent of the airport facility, that is, do not limit the addition to simply the landing
strips.

9|

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Area
Landmark /
Hydro Area
Changes
May Be
Delayed

The Census Bureau prioritizes boundary changes to legal areas in order to
meet ACS, PEP, and BAS deadlines. Therefore, there may be delays in
incorporating area landmark and hydrographic area changes to the
MAF/TIGER database. Please do not resubmit any changes that were sent
during the previous year’s BAS. We are working on incorporating those
changes, and they will be reflected in the next year’s BAS materials.

2.4 Reviewing Point Landmarks
Because many of the point landmarks contained in the Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER database
originate from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System (GNIS),
which is the official gazetteer of point landmark names for the Federal Government, point
landmark updates are limited in the BAS. The Census Bureau cannot modify any point landmark
imported from the GNIS database. Thus, be aware that name changes or deletions submitted
for the following types of landmarks may be left unchanged:
•
•
•
•

K2451 (Airport or Airfield)
K2582 (Cemetery)
C3022 (Summit or Pillar)
C3081 (Locale or Populated Place)

Also, due to Title 13 privacy concerns, any landmark with an MTFCC shown in Table 3 below
cannot be added to the MAF/TIGER database as a point landmark. The MAF/TIGER database
no longer maintains any point landmarks with these MTFCCs. Landmarks with these codes
could identify a residence or private business. Thus, it is also important not to add any of the
point landmark types shown in the table using alternative MTFCCs.
Table 3 Restricted Point Landmark MTFCCs
MTFCC

Description

K1100

Housing Unit Location

K1121

Apartment Building or Complex

K1122

Rooming or Boarding House

K1223

Trailer Court or Mobile Home Park

K1226

Housing Facility/Dormitory for Workers

K1227

Hotel, Motel, Resort, Spa, Hostel, YMCA, or YWCA

K1228

Campground

K1229

Shelter or Mission

K1232

Halfway House/Group Home

K1233

Nursing Home, Retirement Home, or Home for the Aged

K1234

County Home or Poor Farm

K1235

Juvenile Institution

K1241

Sorority, Fraternity, or College Dormitory

K1251

Military Group Quarters

10 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Description

K1299

Other Group Quarters Location

K2100

Governmental

K2197

Mixed Use/Other Non-residential

K2300

Commercial Workplace

K2361

Shopping Center or Major Retail Center

K2362

Industrial Building or Industrial Park

K2363

Office Building or Office Park

K2364

Farm/Vineyard/Winery/Orchard

K2366

Other Employment Center

K2424

Marina

K2500

Other Workplace

K2564

Amusement Center

Note that, just as for area landmark changes, point landmark changes may be delayed as a
result of the heavy workloads for boundary changes to legal areas. Thus, it may take two BAS
cycles for Census shapefiles to reflect your changes.

11 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

3 Quality Control and File Submission
3.1 Validating Updates
Once you have completed your BAS updates, you must complete a review of your change
polygons to ensure that:
1. The polygons have no holes (e.g., you annexed an MCD but missed a traffic circle).
2. All boundary corrections meet a size threshold (very small corrections cannot be
processed).

Validate as
You Go

Validation tools in the GUPS can be accessed at any time while you are
working in the application. We suggest you utilize them as you go to identify
errors early and avoid extensive rework.

Click here to review step-by-step instructions for a discussion of GUPS validation tools. LINK
3.2 Submitting Files Through SWIM
Prompt submission of updates is appreciated. It benefits the Census Bureau—allowing us to
review the files early, provide feedback, and avoid backups in file processing—and you—
guaranteeing your updates are recorded accurately and are reflected in the latest releases of
Census and other federal data products.
All BAS data submissions must be made via the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM). For
data security reasons, we cannot accept files sent via email or through our former ftp site. If you
do not have Internet access, you may copy your file(s) to DVD and mail the DVD to:
Send to: US Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: BAS Returns, Bldg 63A
1201 East 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132
If you indicated on your Annual Response Form that you have changes to report, you will
receive the URL for SWIM and a registration token via email. The email should arrive
approximately 5 business days after the Annual Response Form has been completed online (or
5 business days after the Census Bureau receives the paper form).
The registration token will allow you to establish a personal SWIM account. If you do not receive
a SWIM token after allowing the specified amount of time, email [email protected] or call
1-800-972-5651.
Once registered, you will no longer need the token to log into the system.

Current
SWIM Users

If you are a participant in another Census Bureau partnership program and
already have a SWIM account, you may use your current account to submit
files for the BAS. You do not need to set up a new account.

For step-by-step instructions to submit files through the SWIM, see LINK
12 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

PART 2 HOW TO USE THE GUPS
4 Getting Started
As stated earlier, you will receive the GUPS application and the shapefiles needed to make
updates on DVD. One DVD will contain the installer, a .pdf of the BAS GUPS Respondent
Guide, and helpful training videos. The other DVD will contain your BAS shapefiles.
4.1 System and Hardware Requirements
The Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) was developed for use in a desktop PC
or a network environment. Table 4 lists the hardware and software requirements for the GUPS,
and for the submission of files through the SWIM website.
Table 4 GUPS Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware

Operating System

Browser

Video Player Software

Disk Space:
The GUPS
application will
occupy ~1.27
GB of disk
space.
Consider this
(along with the
size of your
shapefiles if
you plan to
copy them to
your
computer) to
determine
how much
disk space
you will need.
The average
shapefile is 32
MB, but some
are much
larger
depending on
population
density.

Windows:

Minimum
Browser
Versions for
SWIM:

The training videos in GUPs require
MP4 video playback software. When you
double click a training video, your PC’s
default video player (e.g., Windows
Media Player, VLC, QuickTime, etc.)
should open and play the video.

RAM:
4 GB
recommended
1 GB
suggested
minimum

13 |

To run the GUPS, users will need
one of the following Windows
operating systems:
•
•
•
•
•

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

Apple iOS:
iOS users can run the GUPS using
a Windows bridge. Suggested
bridge software is Red Hat,
downloadable free
at: http://www.redhat.com/download/

• Internet
Explorer 8
• Google
Chrome 3
• Mozilla
Firefox 3.5
• Apple
Safari
4.1.3

If your player cannot open MP4 files,
you may need to install an MPEG-4
codec. An MPEG-4 codec is a small
piece of software that allows your
computer to recognize MP4 files and
play them regardless of what player is
installed.
Recommended Codec:
• X Codec Pack – free
download: http://www.xpcodecpack.c
om/
• Compatible with:
-

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

4.2 How to Install the GUPS
To install the GUPS application you must have System Administrator privileges for your
computer. To complete the installation, follow the steps in Table 5.
Table 5 Steps to Install the GUPS Application
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Place the installation DVD into your computer’s DVD drive. A Windows protected
your PC pop-up box appears.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

To continue, click ‘More info’ and select ‘Run anyway’ at the bottom. Your computer
may automatically run the installer.
Note: You may also see a pop-up box requesting confirmation that you want to “allow
the following program from an unknown publisher to make changes to your computer.”
Click Yes.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

If the software does not run automatically, open Windows Explorer, navigate to your
DVD drive, and double-click on QGIS-OSGeo4W-0.3.13-25-Setup-x86_64.exe. The
Welcome to the QGIS GUPS Setup Wizard screen appears:
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Initiate the Setup Wizard installation steps. First click the Next button. The License
Agreement screen appears.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Note: If the software does not run, please contact your system administrator for
assistance.

Step 5

Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button to continue. The Choose
Components screen opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

Click the Install button at the bottom of the Choose Components screen. The
software should take between 5 to 10 minutes to install. When it is finished, the
Completing the QGIS GUPS Setup screen opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 7

To complete the installation, click the Finish button at the bottom of the Completing
the QGIS GUPS Setup screen. The application is installed and a blue GUPS icon
appears on your desktop.
ICON CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

14 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

4.3 How to Copy Shapefiles from the DVD to Your Computer
When you work within the GUPS, it will automatically load files into the application for you from
the DVD. To avoid having to insert the shapefile DVD each time you want to work in the
application, however, you may want to save the shapefiles to your computer. (Before doing this,
check your computer to ensure it has sufficient disk space.)
To copy the files, follow the steps in Table 6 below.
Table 6 Steps to Copy Shapefiles from the DVD to Your Computer
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Navigate to the home directory on your computer.
Note: In Windows, the home directory is almost always located at
C:\Users\ (with the  portion displaying your specific
username). C: is the home directory location assumed by this guide. If you cannot find
your home directory, contact your system administrator to ask its location.

Step 2

Insert the shapefile DVD into your DVD drive and locate the folder on the DVD that is
named ‘shape’.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Copy all of the contents of D:\shape\ (assuming D: is your DVD reader drive) to your
home directory. You may copy the files to any location you wish.

Note

Once you have placed the shapefiles on your home directory, the GUPS application
will manage them. You do not need to do anything else. When you select your
geography in the GUPS, the application will ask you to specify the location (‘CD/DVD’,
‘My Computer’, or ‘Census Web’) of your files. When you select ‘My Computer’, the
GUPS locates the files where you saved them, unzips and loads them into the
application, and moves them to a pre-established folder on your directory created
during the installation process.

ADD
ICON

Do not change any folder or shapefile name. For the GUPS to recognize a folder or
shapefile, it must have the exact name given.

4.4 How to Download Shapefiles from the Geography Partnership Website
If you need additional shapefiles, or need to replace a corrupted file, you may download
shapefiles from the Geography Partnership website. This can be done easily from within the
GUPS application. For the steps to download files within GUPS, see Table 8 in the next section.
Steps 19 through 21 describe how to complete the download. LINK
4.5 How to Download Shapefiles from the ftp2 Site
State-level users may download files for their entire state at once. To do this, follow the steps in
Table 7.

15 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 7 Steps for State Users to Download Shapefiles from ftp2 Site
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Using Internet Explorer (IE) or a web browser of your choice navigate
to ftp://ftp2.census.gov/.The FTP root at ftp2.census.gov main page opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

To download multiple datasets, open the Census Bureau FTP site in Windows
Explorer (sometimes called File Explorer). On your browser menu, select View, then
click Open FTP Site in File Explorer.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

After the Census Bureau FTP site has been opened in File Explorer, double click the
geo folder.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Within the geo folder, double-click the pvs folder.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Select the state folder that contains the county(ies) for which you are downloading
data. The state folders are represented using two-digital state FIPS codes.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

There are several sets of shapefiles within each state directory. You will want to
download the most recent partnership shapefiles. These shapefiles are contained
within a zip file with the prefix partnership_shapefiles_15v2. Each zip file ends with
a five-digit state-county FIPS code (e.g., 08051) which represents the county for which
you are downloading data.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 7

Select the county or counties that you intend to download and copy to your local or
network drive. You may copy the files to any location you wish.
Once you have placed the shapefiles on your home directory, the GUPS application
will manage them. You do not need to do anything else. When you select your
geography in the GUPS, the application will ask you to specify the location (‘CD/DVD’,
‘My Computer’, or ‘Census Web’) of your files. When you select ‘My Computer’, the
GUPS locates the files where you saved them, unzips and loads them into the
application, and moves them to a pre-established folder on your directory created
during the installation process.

Note

Users With FTP Client Software
If you have an FTP client software such as WinSCP or FileZilla (or other) you may
connect to ftp2.census.gov without a password. Enter ‘anonymous’ as your user name
and enter your email address in place of a password.

16 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

5 Using GUPS (GUPS Basics and Map Management)
After successfully installing the GUPS, you are ready to start your Boundary and Annexation
Survey updates.
5.1 How to Open the GUPS and Start a New Project
The GUPS considers each session in which you work on a Census shapefile a separate project,
and it allows you to work on only one project at a time. If you exit the GUPS before completing a
project, be sure to save it. You can come back later and reopen the project to continue work.
To begin your first project, follow the steps in Table 8.
Table 8 Steps to Open the GUPS and Start a New Project
Step
Step 1

Action and Result
Double-click the GUPS icon [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on your desktop. The GUPS
splash screen appears.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Wait until the application loads (If you have an older computer, this may require a few
minutes). When the GUPS application has loaded, the GUPS main page opens and
the QGIS Tips! box appears.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Note: Since GUPS was built on the QGIS open-source platform, you may see
references to QGIS in several locations within the GUPS application.

Step 3

If you wish to become a QGIS translator, click on the link within the box for the
‘translator’s page’ to obtain more information on this program. If you wish to view tips
on the QGIS system, click the Next button to read your first tip. Thereafter use the
Previous and Next buttons to navigate within the tips available. If you do not wish to
see the QGIS Tips! box again, click the checkbox in the bottom left-hand corner that
reads ‘I’ve had enough tips, don’t show this on start up any more!’

Step 4

To begin a GUPS project, click the Close button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] in the upper
right-hand corner of the QGIS Tips! box, or click the OK button. Either action closes
the tip box and opens the Map Management dialog box, as shown below.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

In the Map Management box, use the down arrow next to the Program field to open
the drop-down menu and select ‘Boundary and Annexation Survey 2016’. ‘Boundary
and Annexation 2016’ populates the field.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

In the State field, use the drop-down menu to select your state.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

17 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action and Result
This example uses Indiana.

Step 7

In the Working County field, use the drop-down menu to select the county for which
you wish to make updates.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
This example uses Jefferson County, Indiana.

Step 8

After you select the working county, the GUPS asks you to specify the location from
which you want to pull the county’s shapefile. The Select Data Folder, Directory or
Location box appears.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Note

Step 9

The GUPS will only ask you to specify a location for a shapefile the first time you
open it. If you come back to work on the same county’s shapefile again, the shapefile
will automatically load.
Use the down arrow in the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location box to open
the drop-down menu and select the location. The options are the Census-provided
DVD (‘CD/DVD’), your computer’s home directory (‘My Computer’), and the
Geography Partnership website (‘Census Web’).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 10 This example assumes the user has copied the shapefiles to their computer’s home
directory, so ‘My Computer’ is selected. The Select directory dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 11 From the Look in: pane in the upper left-hand corner, click on My Computer,
navigate to the directory location where you saved the files, and click on the parent
folder. For example, if you saved the files to the location C:/GUPS/BAS, select the
folder named ‘BAS’. Do not select the individual shapefile subfolders contained within
the BAS folder (e.g., subfolders with names such as 55 or 55025). The GUPS
application, once directed to the parent folder, will select the correct subfolder(s) and
will pull the file(s) you requested.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 12 Once you have selected the correct folder, click the Select button in the bottom righthand corner of the Select directory dialog box. [ICON PLACEHOLDER]
Step 13 In this example, we requested the shapefile for Jefferson County, Indiana. The GUPS
loads the Jefferson County shapefile and returns to the Map Management box, which
now includes a new Entity Type field.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

18 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action and Result

Step 14 In the Entity Type field drop-down menu, select the entity type you represent. The
options are ‘County’, ‘Minor Civil Division (MCD)’, ‘Place’, and ‘State’. Note that the
options you see may vary, depending on the entity types your state contains.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
This example assumes a ‘County’ user.
Step 15 After the entity type is selected, a list of adjacent counties appears at the bottom of
the Map Management box, with the closest counties highlighted in yellow and
checked.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 16 All checked counties will display in the Map View. Uncheck the box for any county
you do not wish to see. To select additional counties (you may choose up to 10),
check the checkboxes next to them. Scroll down using the scroll bar to see the full list
of adjacent counties.
Note

Adjacent counties with a check appear in the Map View, allowing you to view their
boundaries and features. You cannot, however, make changes to an adjacent
county’s shapefile at this time, except in special circumstances (e.g., you represent
an incorporated place that crosses a county line). Otherwise, a county must be
selected as the “working county” before changes can be made to its shapefile.

Step 17 After you make your adjacent county selections, click the Open button at the bottom
of the Map Management dialog box. ICON PLACEHOLDER
Since you have not yet loaded the shapefiles for any of the adjacent counties, the
Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 18 To load the shapefiles for the adjacent counties, follow the instructions given above in
Steps 8-12 (if you wish to load the files from your computer’s home directory).
For the sake of example, here we will load the shapefiles instead from the
Geographic Partnership website. In this example, we will select neighboring Clark
and Jennings Counties by checking the checkboxes next to them and clicking Open.
Step 19 When the Select directory dialog box opens, use the down arrow to open the dropdown menu and select ‘Census Web’. The files for Clark and Jennings Counties
begin to download and progress is displayed by a blue bar, with the progress
percentage noted to the far right.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 20 When the download is complete, the GUPS copies the file(s) to the correct location
on your home directory, then loads the selected shapefile(s) into GUPS. The data
layers appear in the Table of Contents and the selected adjacent counties appear
next to the working county in Map View.

19 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action and Result
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 21 Alternately, you may load the adjacent county files from the shapefile DVD. Insert the
DVD into your computer’s drive, click ‘CD/DVD’ in the Select directory drop-down
menu, navigate to D:/GUPSGIS/gupsdata/BAS/shape folder, then click the Select
button in the bottom right-hand corner of the Select directory dialog box. The maps
will be copied to your home directory and will display in the GUPS as described
above.
Step 22 If for some reason, shapefiles are missing from the location you choose, or are
corrupted, you will receive an error message such as the one shown below:
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 23 Click OK. The Map Management dialog box reopens, with your previous geography
still selected. You may now try to load the file(s) from another location.
Step 24 Simply click the Open button at the bottom of the Map Management box.
ICON PLACEHOLDER
The Select Data Folder, Directory or Location dialog box reopens, providing you all
three drop-down options.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Note

If you have difficulty loading the shapefiles from all of the locations provided, contact
the Geography Division at 1-800-972-5651.

Step 25 After working on a project, be sure to save it before exiting. Otherwise your edits will
be lost. To save, click the Save icon on the Standard toolbar.
ICON PLACEHOLDER
The Current edits pop-up box asks if you want to save the current changes for all
layers.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 26 Click OK. The changes are saved.
Step 27 If you attempt to close the application without saving, you will receive a Save? pop-up
warning asking whether you want to save the project.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 28 If you want to save your project, click the Save button. If you decide not to save your
changes, click the Discard button.
Step 29 If you click Cancel, a Stop editing pop-up box opens and asks if you want to save
the edits to a single layer.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
20 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action and Result
Since you have no reason to do this, click Discard. The project is discarded.

Note

You may save at any point during your session (including waiting until the end). Be
aware, however, that any changes you make during the session that have not been
saved will not display in the attribute tables or review tool windows. So, if you need to
view changes made previously in the session, you need to save first.

Step 30 To reopen a saved project, click the Open Recent button in the Map Management
dialog box and click on the project in the drop-down menu.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The shapefile for the project automatically loads. The drop-down list will include all
the files on which you have previously worked, with the most recent appearing at the
top of the list.
Note

Census Bureau-defined default layers and view settings are loaded each time you
start a new project in the GUPS. If you change these settings for a project, when you
save the project your new settings are also saved. Thus, when you reopen the
project, the Table of Contents and Map View display according to the settings you
were last using rather than returning to the Census Bureau default settings.

Step 31 When you reopen a project, also note that previously selected counties appear in
cyan blue and remain checked, the closest adjacent counties appear in yellow and
are checked, and all other counties have no color and are unchecked.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

21 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

5.2 How to Use the GUPS Interface
5.2.1 GUPS Main Page
Figure 2 shows the main GUPS page. This page contains all the tools needed for making
shapefile updates. All work is completed from this page.
Figure 2 GUPS Main Page
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

The general purpose for each element on the main GUPS page is explained in Table 9 on the
next page.
The sections that follow (Sections 5.2.1 through 5.2.3) describe the individual components and
functions of each page element listed in the table in detail.
Table 9 GUPS Main Page Elements
Page Element
Table of
Contents

General Function
The Table of Contents shows the layers on the map for the county you
selected. The Table of Contents toolbar allows you to add or remove layers
(or groups), manage layer visibility, and filter the legend by map content.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Map View

The Map View displays the county shapefile for the program and county you
selected in the Map Management dialog box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Menu

Offers basic features such as Settings and Help, tools to manage the map
view and import user-provided data, important calculation, measurement, and
geoprocessing tools, and tools needed to make shapefile updates. Note that
almost all of the functions available from the Menu are also available in the
application’s more conveniently located toolbars.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Standard
Toolbar

Provides the navigation and other tools needed to interact with the map and
layers’ attribute tables.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

BAS Toolbar

Gives the specific tools needed to make BAS updates, view attribute tables,
review and validate changes, and import, export, and print ZIP files.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Add Data
Toolbar

22 |

Offers tools to import your own data. You may superimpose map layers in
GUPS to compare the features on your own maps with those on the Census
shapefiles.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Page Element

General Function
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Status Bar

Displays information on the map scale, projection, and coordinates and
allows you to adjust the display.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

5.2.2 Table of Contents and Map View
When you choose your program and geography in the Map Management dialog box, the GUPS
automatically loads a set of default data layers (and default layer groups) defined by the Census
Bureau for the county and program you selected. As the map opens in Map View, the list of the
preset layers (already grouped) simultaneously appears in the Table of Contents.
You will use the Table of Contents and the small toolbar appearing at its top to manage your
map view. Note that the Table of Contents and the Map View windows are interdependent.
Thus, selections you make in the Table of Contents are immediately reflected on the map
display.
5.2.2.1 Managing the Map View from Within the Table of Contents
Within the Table of Contents, you can manage layer visibility (i.e., determine what layers
display on the map), reorder data layers, and set new layer symbology.
Manage Layer Visibility
To add or remove layers from the map view:
•

Click the checkbox next to a layer to add it to the map view.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

•

Uncheck the checkbox next to a layer to remove it from the view.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

•

OR, Right-click the name of the layer and select ‘Remove’ in the drop-down menu.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Reorder Data Layers
In the Table of Contents, the order in which the layers are listed determines how the layers
display on the map. The layers at the top display on top of those below them. To change the
display order:
•
•
•

23 |

Left-click on the layer name.
Hold down the mouse button and drag the layer to the desired position in the list.
Release the mouse button to place the layer in its new position. The map display will
then reflect the new layer order in the Table of Contents.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Expand/Contract Table of Contents Menus
To expand or contract the menu for a layer or layer group:
•
•

Click on the ‘+’ sign to expand the group.
When you click the ‘+’ sign next to the layer name [SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER],
the layer’s submenu opens:
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

•

When you click the ‘-’ sign next to the layer name, the submenu retracts:
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Set Layer Symbology
The GUPS loads a default layer symbology established for each Census Bureau geographic
partnership program. You can change the default symbology to suit your preferences. To
change the default symbology for a layer in GUPS, follow the instructions in Table 10 below:
Table 10 Steps to Reset Layer Symbology
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Right-click on the layer in the Table of Contents (in this example, we selected the
Edges layer). The Layers drop-down menu opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

In the drop-down menu, choose ‘Properties’. The Layer Properties dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

At the top of the far left-hand pane, click on Style, then double-click the symbol you
want to edit in the layers list. In this example, we will double-click on ‘Roads, substr
(“MTFCC, 1,1) = S1100’ to choose it.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The Rule Properties dialog box opens and the Label field shows the layer chosen.
The Symbol window shows the current symbol (yellow line), as shown below.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Choose a different color for the symbol from the Color drop-down menu, or choose a
different symbol for the layer altogether by double-clicking any symbol in the Symbols
in Group field. Then click OK. We have chosen blue. The color is applied to the layer,
S1100 roads display as blue lines on the map, and the symbology is changed in the
Table of Contents view.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

24 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Change Label Display
You can change the default GUPS labeling display (you can also restore it). To change the
default labeling for a layer, follow the steps in Table 11.
Table 11 Steps to Change Labeling Default
Step
Step 1

Action / Result [Update]
Right click on the layer (we have selected the edges layer) in the Table of Contents.
The Layers drop-down menu opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

In the drop-down menu, choose ‘Properties’. The Layer Properties dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

In the far left-hand pane, click Labels. The options to change the label display
properties open in the main window.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

To change the attribute field, click on drop-down menu for the ‘Label this layer with’
field, and select the desired option. From the drop-down menus in the Text style
pane, you can change the Font, Style, Size, Color, Transparency, Type Case, and
Spacing of the layer labels.

Restore Label Display Default Settings
To restore the default labeling for a layer, follow the steps in Table 12.
Table 12 Steps to Restore Default Labeling
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Right click on the layer you changed in the Table of Contents. The Layers drop-down
menu opens.

Step 2

In the Layers drop-down menu, click on the arrow to the right of ‘GUPS Layer’. Four
options appear: ‘Load default style’, ‘Load all default style’, ‘Load BBSP Edges style’,
and Load low profile Edges style’.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

25 |

Select ‘Load default style’ to restore the layer’s original properties OR select ‘Load all
default style’ to reset ALL the layers to their original settings.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

5.2.2.2 Using the Table of Contents Toolbar to Manage Layers
Using the buttons on the toolbar located at the top of the Table of Contents, you can add and
remove layers or groups, manage layer visibility, filter the legend by map content, expand or
contract all sections of the Table of Contents list at once, and group layers.
The Table of Contents toolbar contains the items shown below.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Table 13 describes the function of each of the buttons on the Table of Contents toolbar.
Table 13 Table of Content Toolbar Buttons
Button

Name

Function / Description

ICON

Add New Group

Allows you to organize layers in the Table of Contents into groups

ICON

Manage Layer
Visibility

Allows you to preset views in the Table of Contents.

ICON

Filter Legend by
Map Content

Removes from the Table of Contents display any layers that are
not currently in the Map View extent. This feature ensures that the
Table of Contents does not contain entries for items not currently
in the map view.

ICON

Expand All
Menus (+)

Expands the Table of Contents to display all layers under each
group’s menu.

ICON

Collapse All
Menus (-)

Collapses the Table of Contents to show only groups.

ICON

Remove Layer
or Group

Allows you to remove a layer or group from the Table of Contents.

The use of the Add New Group button is discussed at the end of this section.
Preset Views in the Table of Contents ICON PLACEHOLDER
You can add preset views in the Table of Contents by clicking on the [ICON PLACEHOLDER]
button on the Table of Contents toolbar. You can choose to display a layer with specific
categorization and add this view to the Presets list.
To add a preset view:
•

Click on the [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button and choose ‘Add Preset…’ from the dropdown menu.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

26 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT
•

When the Visibility Presets pop-up appears, enter the name of the new preset and click
OK.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Note: By clicking on the [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button, you can view the list of all preset
views that you have established and from which you can choose.
Add a Layer
GUPS automatically loads a default set of data layers specified by the Census Bureau for each
geographic partnership program. You can add other data layers from the Census Bureau’s
partnership shapefile that are not in the default data layer set.
Remove a Layer / Group

ICON PLACEHOLDER

To remove a layer or a group in the Table of Contents:
•
•

Left-click on the layer/group you want to remove, hold down the CTRL key, and click the
[ICON PLACEHOLDER] button. The layer/group is removed. OR
Right-click on the layer name and select ‘Remove’ in the drop-down menu.

Create and Manage Groups

ICON PLACEHOLDER

To organize layers in the Table of Contents into groups and manage the group contents, follow
the steps in Table 14 below.
Table 14 Steps to Organize Layers in the Table of Contents
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Click on the [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button on the Table of Contents toolbar. A new
group appears automatically in the Table of Contents.

Step 2

Type in a name for the group and press the Enter key. Then, click on an existing layer
and drag it into the group you just created. (OR Select one or more layers in the
Table of Contents, right-click in the Table of Contents window, and choose ‘Add
Group’. The selected layers are automatically placed in a new group. Name the
group.)

ADD
ICON

You may now show or hide all the layers in the group with a single click in the
group’s checkbox. ICON PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

To remove a layer from a group, click on the layer and drag it out of the group or
right-click on the layer and choose Move to Top Level. Then drag the layer where you
want it in the Table of Contents list.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

27 |

To select more than one layer or group at the same time, hold down the CTRL key
while selecting the layers with the left mouse button.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 5

Action / Result
To delete a group, right-click on the group and select ‘Remove’ in the drop-down
menu. Then click OK when prompted.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Note: Some of the same functions handled by the Table of Contents toolbar can also be
carried out using the Layer tab on the Menu, located at the top of the main GUPS page.
5.2.3 Menu & Toolbars
The main Menu and the Standard and Add Data toolbars are located stacked at the top of the
GUPS page. These toolbars offer general GIS and system tools and allow the import of userprovided data. The BAS toolbar, located below the Add Data toolbar provides the specific
tools needed to make BAS updates.
Note: Although the Menu is always located at the top of the page, the exact location of the
other toolbars may vary. In some views, the Add Data toolbar appears stacked vertically along
the side of the Table of Contents. In other views, it may appear on the same line with the
Standard toolbar. As stated earlier, you may move the toolbars to the location most convenient
for you. For example, if the Add Data toolbar appears on the side of the page, you may want to
move it to the top to allow expansion of the Table of Contents and Map View.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
As you work with the toolbars, note that you can hover your mouse over any toolbar button to
see the name of the tool it represents. You can also resize the toolbars.
Each item on the Menu, the Standard toolbar, and the BAS toolbar is described in the section
below. The Add Data toolbar, which provides options for importing your own data into the
application, is discussed in Section 5.3, How to Import User-Provided Data into the GUPS.
LINK
5.2.3.1 Menu Tabs
Table 15 below defines each of the tabs on the Menu and its function.
Table 15 Menu Tabs and Their Functions
Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description

Project

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

From the Project tab, you may save a
project, create a Print Screen image, or
exit the application.

Edit

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

From the Edit tab, you may Undo or
Redo your last action.

28 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description

View

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

The View tab allows you to navigate the
map in Map View, see the attributes for
specific features, measure distances on
the map, and create spatial bookmarks to
return to the same map view at a later
time. You can also refresh the map to
restore it to the original map extent.

Layer

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

The Layer tab allows you to add layers to
and remove layers from the map, open
the layer attribute table, set the map
projection, or Coordinate Reference
System (CRS), and display or hide layers.
Many of these same functions are more
conveniently located on the Table of
Contents toolbar and the Add Data
toolbar.

Settings

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

The Settings tab allows you to customize
the CRS and map display options and set
snapping tolerances.

Vector

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

The Vector tab provides access to
several Geoprocessing Tools, which allow
you to create buffers around features,
overlay areas so that you can create an
intersection, union, or symmetrical
difference, merge features, and perform
other common geoprocessing actions.

Raster

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

The Raster tab provides access to a
Calculator, which allows you to perform
calculations on the basis of existing raster
pixel values. It also provides a
Georeferencer tool, which allows you to
assign coordinates to the raster.

Processing

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

Although available to GUPS users, the
options under the Processing tab are not
needed for Census Bureau geographic
program participation. The items under
this tab pertain to algorithms, creating
models, viewing the results of algorithms
executed, and history.

29 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Tab

Drop-down Menu

Function / Description

Help

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

The Help tab provides helpful tools for
understanding QGIS (the open-source
platform in which GUPS was developed)
and the GUPS application itself. It also
contains links to the BAS GUPS User
Guide, training videos, and contact
information.

GUPS

SCREEN CAPTURE
PLACEHOLDER

The GUPS tab provides another way to
access the tools for making BAS updates,
reviewing and validating your work, and
importing and exporting maps.

Note on Snapping Tolerances: Snapping tolerances in the GUPS are pre-defined by layer
(e.g., the default tolerance for edges is set to 15 pixels). When making boundary corrections,
you may want to adjust the snapping tolerances for a layer or layers.
To do this, follow the steps in Table 16.
Table 16 Steps to Adjust Snapping Tolerances
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
In the Settings tab drop-down menu, click on ‘Snapping options’. The Snapping
options dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

From the Snapping mode drop-down menu, select whether you want the tolerance
adjustment to apply only to the current layer or to all layers.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

From the Snap to drop-down menu, choose the snapping method.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

From the Tolerance drop-down menu, use the up and down arrows to select the value
you want and then select your units (map units or pixels) in the drop-down to the right.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

If you want to enable topological editing and/or snapping on an intersection, use the
checkboxes next to each.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

30 |

Click OK. The new snapping tolerances are set.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result

ADD
ICON

Note that the Census Bureau often cannot make small boundary adjustments because
MAF/TIGER is a fully integrated topological database.

5.2.3.2 Standard Toolbar Buttons
The Standard toolbar provides the navigation tools needed to interact with the map and layers’
attribute tables.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The Standard toolbar actually comprises several smaller toolbars strung together. Each
sub-toolbar is identified by the hashed grouping bars that precede it. The first sub-toolbar
contains the Save button, Map Management button (opens the Map Management dialog box),
and the Search button. The second sub-toolbar provides tools for viewing and navigating the
map in Map View, and the third sub-toolbar allows you to identify, select, and deselect features
on the map, make measurements, create spatial bookmarks, and work with the layers’ attribute
tables.
You can move the location of the sub-toolbars if you prefer. Simply left-click the hash mark
preceding the sub-toolbar and while holding down the mouse, drag the sub-toolbar to the
location you want.
Each button on the composite Standard toolbar and its purpose is defined in Table 17 below.
Table 17 Standard Toolbar Buttons
Button Name

Function / Description

ICON

Save

Saves the current GUPS county project, including any user changes
to layer properties, projection, last viewed extent, and layers added.

ICON

Map
Management

Choose your geographic participant program in GUPS and access
the automatically loaded default map display layers based on the
program chosen.

ICON

Search

Search the map by census tract, block, landmark, or street name
and zoom automatically to the feature.

ICON

Touch Zoom
and Pan

Designed for touchscreen computers. Allows you to zoom and pan
the map displayed in Map View using finger gestures to increase or
decrease the map scale.

ICON

Pan Map

Shifts the map in Map View without changing the map scale. Click
the button, then click a location on the map to re-center the map to
the clicked location.

ICON

Pan Map to
Selection

Shifts the map in Map View to the rows selected in the attribute
table for a selected feature. After selecting a feature(s), click the

31 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Button Name

Function / Description
button to re-center the map based on the selected feature(s).

ICON

Zoom In

Displays the map in Map View at a larger scale. Click the button,
then click on the map at the location to which you want to zoom.

ICON

Zoom Out

Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale.

ICON

Zoom Full

Displays the map in Map View at a smaller scale and zooms the
map view to the full extent of the county.

ICON

Zoom to
Selection

Zooms the map view to the rows selected by query in the attribute
table for a feature(s). After selecting a feature(s) on the map, click
the button to view the feature(s) at a greater map scale.

ICON

Zoom to
Layer

Zooms the map view to the layer selected in the Table of Contents.
After selecting the layer, click the button to zoom to the layer’s
extent.

ICON

Zoom Last

Zooms the map view to the previous map extent.

ICON

Zoom Next

Zooms the map view forward to the next map extent.

ICON

Refresh

Displays map view to initial full display.

ICON

Identify
Features

Identifies geographic features. Click the button, then click on a
feature on the map to identify the feature at the location.

ICON

Select
Features

Enables user to select layer features in the map window with a
single click, dragging a box, or drawing graphics on the screen.

ICON

Deselect
Features

Deselects selected features from all layers.

ICON

Select
Features
Using an
Expression

Initiates an attribute table record request by querying the table
based on table fields and/or values in the fields.

ICON

Open
Attribute
Table

Opens the attribute table for the active layer displayed in Map View.

ICON

Measure

Provides options to measure linear distance, area, and angles on
the map.

ICON

New
Bookmark

Creates and names a spatial bookmark of the current map view.

32 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Button Name

Function / Description

ICON

Display all bookmarks created by the user.

Show
Bookmarks

Most of the sub-toolbar buttons defined above are straight-forward. Those related to features,
however, require further explanation. You will need these buttons to identify and select/deselect
features on the map that you wish to update and to view feature attributes. You will also need
them to make measurements and create spatial bookmarks.
Identify a Feature Using the Identify Features Button

ICON PLACEHOLDER

To identify a feature on the map, click the Identify button [ICON PLACEHOLDER], then click on
the feature. The results will display in the Identify dialog box:
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Select Features Using the Select Features Button ICON PLACEHOLDER
To select/deselect a feature automatically, use the steps in Table 18.
Table 18 Steps to Identify Features
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click on the Select Features button [ICON PLACEHOLDER]. A Select Features
drop-down menu displays.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

To select a single feature, click on Select Feature(s) in the drop-down menu, then
click on the desired feature on the map.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

ADD
ICON

To select multiple features, hold down the CTRL key while clicking on the features you
wish to select.
To remove one or more features from a selection of multiple features, hold down the
SHIFT key and click the feature(s) again.
You can also select multiple features by dragging a box around them.

To select a feature by creating a polygon, follow the steps in Table 19.

33 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 19 Steps to Select a Feature by Creating a Polygon
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
In the Select Features button drop-down menu, select ‘Select Features by Polygon’.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Left-click on the map where you want to begin the polygon.

Step 3

Drag your cursor to extend the line to the point you want, then left-click and extend the
line in the new direction.

Step 4

Continue until you have a closed polygon, then right-click. (A right click tells the
system you have finished drawing). The outline of the polygon you drew is highlighted
in cyan blue.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

To select a feature by drawing freehand, follow the steps in Table 20.
Table 20 Steps to Select a Feature by Drawing Freehand
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
In the Select Features button drop-down menu, select ‘Select Features by Freehand’.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Click on the map and use your cursor to draw a polygon around the feature you wish
to select.

Step 3

Right-click when you are done. The outline of the polygon you drew will be highlighted
in cyan blue.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

To select a feature by radius, follow the steps in Table 21.
Table 21 Steps to Select a Feature by Radius
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
In the Select Features button drop-down menu, select ‘Select Features by Radius’.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

34 |

Left-click on the map where you want to begin, then make a circular motion with your
mouse to draw a circle around the feature. To enlarge the circle, drag your mouse
outward.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 3

Action / Result
Right-click when you are done. The polygon(s) selected is(are) highlighted in cyan
blue.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Deselect Features Using the Deselect Features Button

ICON PLACEHOLDER

To deselect a feature(s) automatically:
•

Click the Deselect Features [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button. The selected features in
all layers are deselected.

Select Features by Querying the Attribute Table

ICON PLACEHOLDER

To select features by querying the attribute table, follow the steps in Table 22 below. In this
example, we will query the attribute table for the edges layer to locate and select all edges in the
layer that have been assigned the MTFCC S1100.
Table 22 Steps to Select Features by Querying the Attribute Table
Step
Step 1

Action / Result [Under Construction]
Click the Select Features by Expression button on the [ICON PLACEHOLDER]
Standard toolbar. The Select by Expression window opens. The window has two
tabs: Expression and Function Editor.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Under the Expression tab, click the ‘+’ signs next to the items in the Functions field
to display their submenus.

Step 3

To build a query, click the ‘Fields and Values’ plus sign to open the full list of choices.
Then double-click on your choice. In this example, we will select ‘MTFCC’ because
we want to search for a road with the MTFCC S1100. Once selected, “MTFCC”
appears in the expression pane.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

You may select your operators here or commonly used ones from the small toolbar on
the tab. To do so, click the plus sign next to operators. A full list of operators opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Double-click the ‘=’ operator. The expression in the Expression pane now reads
“MTFCC” =. Also an Load all button and a Select by Expression button are added to
the Fields pane (far right) at the bottom.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

35 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 6

Action / Result [Under Construction]
Click the Load all button to see a full list of MTFCCs, then double-click the one for
which you are searching. Then in the drop-down for the Select by Expression button,
select ‘Add to Selection’. In this example, double-click S1100, then add it. The
expression in the Expression pane now reads “MTFCC” = “S1100” and the map
zooms to the location.

View an Attribute Table for a Layer on the Map and Edit Attributes ICON PLACEHOLDER
To view an attribute table for a map layer and edit attributes, follow the steps in Table 23.
Table 23 Steps to View and Edit Layer Attributes Using the Attributes Table
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click the layer in the Table of Contents to make it active.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Click the Open Attribute Table button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the Standard
toolbar. The Attribute table opens showing all features in the layer and their
attributes (e.g., name, classification codes). Each row represents an individual feature.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

To select a feature to edit, click on the number on the far left next to the row. To select
multiple features, click on the number of the row for the first feature you want to select,
then press the CTRL key. While holding the CTRL key down, click on the numbers for
the other individual rows you want to select. To select a range of features, click on the
number for the row showing the first feature you want to select, then press the SHIFT
key. While holding down the SHIFT key, click on the number for the last row you want
to select.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Edit features.
Note: The buttons on the Attribute Table toolbar at the top of the Attribute table
work similarly as the same buttons on the Standard toolbar and allow you to view,
query, and edit the attributes for the features in the table.

Determine Distances on the Map Using the Measure Button

ICON PLACEHOLDER

To determine the distance between two or more points on a map displayed in Map View, follow
the steps in Table 24.

36 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 24 Steps to Determine Distances on a Map
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click the layer in which you wish to make the measurement in the Table of Contents
to activate it.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Zoom to the map location where you want to make the measurement.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click on the beginning point on the map and then continue clicking on points until you
reach the final point. The length of each segment of the line you drew, as well as the
total length of the line between the beginning point and the ending point, appear in the
Measure window.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Save Locations on a Map Using the Bookmark Button

ICON PLACEHOLDER

To save geographic locations on your map and view them later, follow the steps in Table 25.
Table 25 Steps to Bookmark Locations on a Map
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Create a bookmark. Zoom to the location on the map in Map View that you wish to

bookmark and click on the New Bookmark button [ICON PLACEHOLDER].
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 2

Click on the row that has “New Bookmark” as the name. Then backspace over “New
Bookmark” and type in a descriptive name for the bookmark (255 character limit).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click the Close button. The bookmark is added.

Step 4

To view a bookmark, click the Show Bookmarks button [ICON PLACEHOLDER]. The
Geospatial Bookmarks dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

In the list of bookmarks, click on the name of the one you want to view, then click the
Zoom to button. The map zooms to the location of the bookmark.

Step 6

To delete a bookmark, in the list of bookmarks, click on the name of the one you want
to delete, then click the Delete button.

ADD
ICON

Bookmark names and coordinates cannot be edited from the Geospatial Bookmarks
dialog box.

37 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

5.2.3.3 BAS Toolbar Buttons
The BAS toolbar provides the BAS-specific functions needed to complete your review and
update activities.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Each toolbar button is described in Table 26 below. How to use the buttons is explained in
Section 6.
Table 26 BAS Toolbar Buttons
Button Name

Function / Description

ICON

Add Line

Add a linear feature to the Census Bureau shapefile.

ICON

Delete Line

Delete a linear feature.

ICON

Display All
Names

Display the primary name of a feature and its alternate name(s).

ICON

Modify
Linear
Feature
Attributes

Edit attribute fields for a selected linear feature.

ICON

Modify Area
Feature

Edit an area feature.

ICON

Add Point
Landmark

Add a point landmark.

ICON

Edit Point
Landmark

Edit a point landmark.

ICON

Delete Point
Landmark

Delete a point landmark.

ICON

Geography
Review Tool

Review the attribute table for a layer.

ICON

Review
Change
Polygons

Review the attribute table for change polygons in a layer and edit the
attributes where incorrect (reviews change polygons for holes and
minimum size).

ICON

Import
County .zip

Import a zipped Census shapefile shared by another GUPS user.

ICON

Export to
.zip

Create the .zip file containing all required data and shapefiles to be
submitted to the Census Bureau.

38 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Button Name

Function / Description

ICON

Export a printable map in .pdf, .png, .tif, or jpeg format.

Export Map
to Print

5.2.4 Status Bar
The Status bar at the bottom of the GUPS main page displays information about the map. It
allows you to adjust the map scale and see the mouse cursor’s coordinates on the map.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Toggle

Allows you to toggle between the mouse’s coordinate position or the map view
extents as you pan and zoom in and out on the map.

Coordinate
Display

Shows your current position in map coordinates (default is decimal degrees for
GUPS) as your map cursor is moved across the map.

Map Scale

Shows your current position in map coordinates (default is decimal degrees for
GUPS) as your map cursor is moved across the map.

Rotation

Shows the map rotation.

Map
Render
(Draw)

Allows you to temporarily prevent layers from drawing by clicking the checkbox
immediately to the left of “Render.”

Projection
Properties

Clicking on the icon will open the projection properties for the current map.

5.3 How to Import User-Provided Data into the GUPS
5.3.1 The Add Data Toolbar
To import your own image, geodatabase, web mapping service, or other data layers into the
GUPS you will use the Add Data toolbar, shown below.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The buttons on the Add Data toolbar are described in Table 27.

39 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 27 Add Data Toolbar Buttons
Button Name

Function / Description

ICON

Add Vector
Layer

Allows you to add shapefile and geodatabase files to your GUPS
project.

ICON

Add Raster
Layer

Allows you to add raster datasets such as imagery.

ICON

Add PostGIS
Layer

Add PostGIS layer.

ICON

Add
SpatialLite
Layer

Add data from a SpatialLite database.

ICON

Add MS SQL
Layer

Add MS SQL 2008 Spatial data.

ICON

Add Oracle
Spatial Layer

Add a spatial layer from an Oracle database.

ICON

Add Oracle
GeoRaster
Layer

Add raster imagery from an Oracle database.

ICON

Add
Add Web Mapping Services and Web Mapping Tile Services.
WMS/WM(T)S Publicly accessible and secured WMS services are supported.
Layer

ICON

Add WCS
Layer

Add Web Coverage Services, which provide access to raster data
useful for client-side map rendering.

ICON

Add WFS
Layer

Add Web Feature Services.

5.3.2 How to Upload User-Provided Data Layers
The GUPS supports vector data in a number of formats, including those supported by the OGR
library data provider plugin, such as ESRI shape files, MapInfo MIF (interchange format), and
MapInfo TAB (native format). It also supports PostGIS layers in a PostgreSQL database and
SpatiaLite layers. Support for additional data types (e.g., delimited text) is provided by additional
data provider plugins.
ADD
ICON

If you have multiple maps that you wish to upload, note that the GUPS will only allow
you to upload one file at a time.

Below are the steps to import each of the supported data formats.

40 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

5.3.2.1 Add Shapefile/Geodatabase Data Layers
To upload shapefile or geodatabase data layers, follow the steps in Table 28.
Table 28 Steps to Load Shapefiles/Geodatabase Layers
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Begin the upload. Click the Add Vector Layer

button on the Add Data toolbar.

The Add Vector Layer dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 2

In the Encoding drop-down menu, the default value is ‘System’. If you receive an
error message when opening your file, use the drop-down to select UTF-8. UTF-8
populates the Encoding field.

Step 3

Click the Browse button and navigate to the folder where the shapefile or
geodatabase is saved on your computer.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Left-click the file you want to upload, then click the Open button. The shapefile
/geodatabase is added to the Table of Contents and to the Map View window.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

5.3.2.2 Add Web Mapping Service Data Layers
To load data from a web mapping service, follow the steps in Table 29.
Table 29 Steps to Load Data from a Web Mapping Service
Step
Step 1

Step 2

Action / Result
Begin the upload. Click the Add WM(T)S Layer [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button on
the Add Data toolbar. The Add Layers from a WM(T)S Server dialog box opens
Select the web mapping service. Click the Layers tab, then click the New button
under the tab. The Create a new WMS Connection dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

In the Name field, type a name for the web mapping imagery service. In the URL
field, type the URL for the service. If the service requires a user name and password,
type them in the fields provided. Click OK. The service will be added to the drop-down
menu for web mapping services appearing just below the Labels tab. Note: If you are
working inside a firewall, you may be prompted to enter a user name and password to
obtain resources from outside the firewall.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

41 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 4

Action / Result
Select the imagery service you added in the drop-down menu. The available layers
appear in the ID/Name/Title/Abstract box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Click on the layer you want to display, then click the Add button. The WMS is added
to the map showing in Map View and to the Table of Contents.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

ADD
ICON

When the WMS is added, it displays over the top of the other layers you have
selected for Map View. To make it display below these layers, click on the WMS layer
and, while holding down the mouse button, drag it to the bottom of the Table of
Contents.

5.3.2.3 Add Imagery Data Layers
If you do not have access to a web mapping service, have a poor Internet connection, or are
working under a restrictive firewall, you can still add other types of imagery files to the GUPS
(e.g., a county or state imagery dataset). County imagery is available from the U.S. Geological
Survey, USGS). LINK
To add non imagery files, follow the steps in Table 30.
Table 30 Steps to Add Imagery Files
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Click the Add Raster Layer [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button on the Add Data
toolbar. The Open a GDAL Supported Raster Data Source dialog box opens

Step 2

Navigate to the folder on your computer where the imagery file is stored.

Step 3

Select the .zip file, then click Open. The file loads into GUPS.

5.3.2.4 Add a Census Shapefile Shared by Another User
If you want to import a Census shapefile already updated by another user, you may use the
Import Project .zip File button on the Map Management dialog box. To import a file using this
method, see the steps in Table 31.
Table 31 Steps to Import a Zip File Shared by Another User
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click the Import .zip File button in the upper left-hand corner of the Map
Management dialog box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

42 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result

Step 2

Navigate to the folder on your computer where the imagery file is stored

Step 3

Click on the first name in the window and then click Open. The file loads into GUPS.

43 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

6 Making BAS Updates in the GUPS
6.1 How to Update Legal Boundaries
6.1.1 Add a New Legal Entity (Incorporated Place)
Follow the steps in Table 32 to add a new legal entity.
Table 32 Steps to Add a New Legal Entity
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Zoom to the location on the map that contains the area where you want to add a new
entity.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click the drop-down arrow next to the Geography field, and select the entity you wish
to add.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Add the new entity. In this example, we add a place. Select ‘Place’ in the Geography
drop-down menu. Place appears in the Geography field and a list of all incorporated
places in the county appears in the Info list below the dialog box toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Left-click once on the Select Features button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the dialog
box toolbar. Then click on the map where the new entity will be located and hold down
the CTRL key. While holding down CTRL, left-click on each face on the map that the
new entity should include. Each face clicked turns cyan blue (colors may vary).
When you have selected all the faces that will make up the new entity, click the Add
Entity button. The Add New Entity dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Document the new entity. In the Add New Entity dialog box, enter the new entity
name, select the ‘Legal/Statistical Area Description (LSAD)’ from the drop-down list,
enter the effective date, add the authorization type (state law, statute, etc.) for the new
legal entity, and upload documentation for the change.
Note: The Add New Entity dialog box changes based on geography type.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
To upload documentation, click the folder icon next to the DOCU field and navigate to
the document on your computer. Then double-click the document to upload it. The
name of the document appears in the DOCU field.

44 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 6

Action / Result
Click OK. The Info list now shows the new entity.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

ADD
ICON

Once the Census Bureau verifies the new entity, it will assign it a FIPS code.
The code preceding the new entity name in the Info list is not a FIPS code, and
should not be used for any official purpose. It is only a placeholder until the official
FIPS code can be assigned.

6.1.2 Delete an Entity (Disincorporation)
Follow the steps in Table 33 to record a disincorporation.
Table 33 Steps to Record a Disincorporation
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map containing the entity you wish to delete.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Features button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
The Modify Area Features dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select the entity type you want to delete (for
this example, select ‘Place’). Place populates the Geography field and the Info list
displays all incorporated places in the county.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Click the entity in the list you want to delete, then click the Delete button [ICON
PLACEHOLDER] on the Modify Area Feature dialog box’s internal toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

A pop-up asks you ‘Are you sure you Want to Delete this Area Feature?’
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

Click OK. The entity is removed from the map and from the Info list.

6.1.3 Record an Annexation (MCD)
Follow the steps in Table 34 to record an annexation. The fictitious example in the table looks at
the MCD named Marshall Village in Dane County, WI. The MCD has annexed three faces and it
wants to show the annexed faces.

45 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 34 Steps to Record an Annexation
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

To define the area annexed, Navigate to Marshall Village on the county shapefile and
zoom to the portion of the MCD where the annexation has occurred.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Using the drop-down menu for the Geography field, select the entity type (here MCD),
from the drop-down menu. A list of all MCDs in the county appears in the area at the
bottom of the dialog box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Click on the MCD (Marshall Village) in the list, then locate the Select Feature(s) tool
[ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the small toolbar just below the Geography field.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

In the drop-down menu, choose the method for selecting the annexed area. See
Section 5.2.3.2 for instructions on how to use the Select Feature(s) tool. LINK. For
this example, use the Select Features by Radius option in the drop-down.

Step 6

Click on this option, then go to the map and draw a small circle with your cursor near
the center of the three blocks. Be sure to include in the circle the edges that separate
the blocks from one another (here Karem Dr and Merrick Rd). The three selected
faces turn cyan blue.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

ADD
ICON

Note: If you accidentally select a face you do not wish to include, you can use the
Deselect Features from All Layers option [ICON PLACEHOLDER] in the Select
Feature(s) drop-down menu to clear the selected faces from your screen and start
over.

Step 7

Click the Add Area button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the dialog box toolbar. The
Select Output pop-up box appears, and asks you to choose your change type.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 8

Since this is a legal annexation, click the ‘Legal Change’ radio button, then click OK.
The Create Change Polygon dialog box opens with the CHNG_TYPE (change type)
field already populated.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 9

46 |

In the Create Change Polygon dialog box, enter the effective date in the EFF_DATE
field, and use the arrows for the AUTHTYPE field to select the authorization type (L –
Local Law, etc.) from the drop-down menu.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
10

Add legal documentation by clicking the folder icon [ICON PLACEHOLDER] next to
the DOCU field, navigating to the file on your drive, and double-clicking on the file. The
GUPS automatically uploads the file and its name populates the DOCU field.

Step
11

When you are finished, click OK. The change polygon is added to the map.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

6.1.4 Record a Deannexation
Follow the steps in Table 35 to record a deannexation. The fictitious example in the table uses
Edgerton City, an incorporated place in Rock County, WI. Edgerton City officials, in discussion
with Rock County planners, agreed to give a tract of land to the county for the development of a
future riverside park.
Table 35 Steps to Record a Deannexation
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Using the arrows for the Geography field, select the entity type (here Place), from the
drop-down menu. A list of all incorporated places in the county appears in the area at
the bottom of the dialog box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click on the place name (Edgerton City) in the list. The map zooms to Edgerton City.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Locate the Select Feature(s) tool [ICON PLACEHOLDER] (on the small toolbar just
below the Geography field in the Modify Area Feature dialog box).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

In the drop-down menu, choose the method for selecting the area deannexed. For this
example, we will use the Select Feature(s) option in the drop-down menu.

Step 6

Click on the Select Feature(s) option, then go to location on the map where the
deannexation occurred and press the CTRL key. While holding the key down, left-click
the face you want to select. Note: If there is more than one face, continue holding
down CTRL while clicking each face. The selected face(s) turn cyan blue (colors may
vary).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

47 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 7

Action / Result
Click the Remove Area button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the dialog box toolbar. The
Select Output pop-up box appears, and asks you to choose your change type.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 8

Since this is a legal deannexation, click the ‘Legal Change’ radio button, then click OK.
The Create Change Polygon dialog box opens with the CHNG_TYPE (change type)
field already populated.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 9

In the Create Change Polygon dialog box, enter the effective date in the EFF_DATE
field, and use the arrows for the AUTHTYPE field to select the authorization type (L –
Local Law, etc.) from the drop-down menu.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
11

Add legal documentation by clicking the folder icon [ICON PLACEHOLDER] next to
the DOCU field, navigating to the file on your drive, and double-clicking on the file. The
GUPS automatically uploads the file and its name populates the DOCU field.

Step
12

When finished, click OK. The change polygon is added to the map.

ADD
ICON

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Red asterisks indicate required fields. If you fail to complete a required field, the GUPS
will prompt you do so before you can go forward. Any required field not completed will
highlight in red, as shown below (colors may vary).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

6.1.5 Make a Boundary Update on a County Line
Note: The GUPS does not allow legal changes to be made for county boundaries. Any user who
wishes to make a legal change to a county boundary must contact the Census Bureau directly.
Call 1-800-972-5651 or email [email protected].
Incorporated places, however, may use the GUPS to record annexations and deannexations
that cross county boundaries. To do so follow the steps described in Table 36 below. The
fictitious example in the table uses Edgerton City, an incorporated place in Rock County,
Wisconsin. It has annexed land in neighboring Rock County.

48 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 36 Steps to Record an Annexation in an Adjacent County
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
To show an annexation across a county boundary (an option limited to incorporated
places), you must change your working county to the county in which the annexed
faces are located. To switch the working county to Rock County:
From the main GUPS page, click the Map Management button [ICON
PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar. The Map Management dialog box opens
showing the program, state, working county, entity type, and entity name you selected
when you created the project. A list of counties adjacent to the working county, with
the closest highlighted in yellow, displays in the list at the bottom of the dialog box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

To change the working county, click the down arrow in the Working County field and
select Rock County from the drop-down menu.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

The list of adjacent counties repopulates to show the counties adjacent to Rock
County. Your previous working county (Dane County) now appears highlighted in cyan
blue with the other adjacent counties highlighted in yellow.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Unclick the checkbox for any county(ies) you do not wish to see on the map, but leave
the checkbox for Dane County clicked. Then click the Open button. A Save Current
Project pop-up box asks if you would like to save your current project.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Click Save in order not to lose any changes you previously made to the Dane County
shapefile. The Map View displays both Dane and Rock Counties and the Table of
Contents displays the layers for the new working county (Rock County).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

To select the features annexed, click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON
PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar. The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 7

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select the entity type to which the annexed
land should be assigned. Because Edgerton City is an incorporated place, select
‘Place’. A list of all incorporated places in both Rock and Dane County appears in the
Info list at the bottom of the dialog box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

49 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 8

Action / Result
Scroll down the list and click the row for ‘Edgerton’. Note that two entries appear for
Edgerton. The first entry represents the portion of Edgerton City that already exists
within Rock County (the current working county), and the second for the portion of
Edgerton City that is located in Dane County. Since you want to add the new faces to
Dane County, click the row for the second entry. The map pans to the portion of the
map along the county boundary where Edgerton City is located.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 9

Click the arrow next to the Select Features button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the
dialog box toolbar and choose the method by which you want to select the annexed
faces.
In this example, we will use the Select Feature(s) option. Click Select Feature(s) in
the drop-down menu, then click the face on the map to be added, if there is only one. If
you want to add additional faces, hold down the CRTL key and continue to click on
faces until you are done. In this instance, we selected two faces. The selected face
polygons turn cyan blue (color may vary).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
10

Add the faces to Dane County. Click the Add button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the
dialog box toolbar. The Choose the Change Type dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
11

Click the radio button next to ‘Legal Change’ to indicate that this is a legal annexation.

Step
12

Then click OK. The selected faces turn green and the Create Change Polygon dialog
box opens.

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step
13

Enter the effective date for the change in the EFF_DATE field, select an authority type
in the AUTHTYPE drop-down menu, and enter a change type in the CHNG_TYPE
field.

Step
14

Then upload legal documentation of the change by clicking on the folder icon,
navigating to your directory where the documentation is stored, and double-clicking the
file. The file uploads to GUPS and the name of the file appears in the DOCU field.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
15

50 |

Click OK.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result

Step
16

Click the Save button on the Standard toolbar. The Current edits pop-up box asks if
you would like to save the changes to all layers. Click OK. The changes are saved.
The selected faces turn brown, and they have been added to Edgerton City in Dane
County.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

ADD
ICON

Independent Cities: Users reporting for independent cities (i.e., cities independent of
any county and treated by the Census Bureau as county equivalents) should follow the
steps described above to show annexations / deannexations between the city and
surrounding counties.

6.1.6 Add a Geographic Corridor
To add a geographic corridor, follow the steps in Table 37. The fictitious example in the table
uses Hanover Town, located in Jefferson County, IN. The user wants to show that the city has
annexed the road right-of-way for Gray Street, a street within the city limits.
Table 37 Steps to Add a Geographic Corridor
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select the entity type (in this case, ‘Place’). A
list of incorporated places in Jefferson County populates the Info list of the dialog box.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click on the row for ‘Hanover’ in the list. The map zooms to the incorporated place of
Hanover Town.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

To create the corridor, pan to the road for which you wish to add the corridor (here
Gray Street), then click on the arrow next to the Select Features button. The Select
Features drop-down menu opens.

Step 5

In the menu, select ‘Select Features by Freehand’.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

On the map, use the cursor to draw a corridor around the road. Left-click to start, then
holding down the mouse, trace a corridor polygon around the road. When you are
done drawing, right-click. The face polygons on both sides of the road turn cyan blue
(color may vary).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

51 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 7

Action / Result
To add the corridor, click the Add button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] in the Modify Area
Feature dialog box toolbar. The Choose the Change Type dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 8

Click the radio button next to Corridor. A box opens giving an explanation of what a
geographic corridor is and asking if you want to proceed.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 9

If yes, click the Yes button. You are returned to the Choose the Change Type dialog
box with Corridor still selected.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
10

Click OK. A pop-up box asks if the Corridor is a legal change.

Step
11

If the user clicks Yes, the Create Change Polygon dialog box opens.

Step
12

Enter the effective date for the change in the EFF_DATE field, select an authority type
in the AUTHTYPE drop-down menu, and enter a change type in the CHNG_TYPE
field. Then upload legal documentation of the change by clicking on the folder icon,
navigating to your directory where the documentation is stored, and double-clicking the
file. The file uploads to GUPS and the name of the file appears in the DOCU field.

Step
13

Click OK. Then click the Save button on the Standard toolbar. The Current edits pop-

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

up box asks if you would like to save the changes to all layers.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
14

Click OK. The changes are saved.

6.1.7 Add a Geographic Offset
To create a geographic offset, follow the same steps as for a corridor (see Table 37 LINK). The
only difference is that you select a face for only one side of the road.
6.1.8 Make a Legal Boundary Change for a Consolidated City
Users who represent consolidated cities (i.e., cities that share a consolidated government with a
county or minor civil division) should follow the steps described in Table 36 LINK in Section
6.1.5 (change across a county boundary) to show annexations / deannexations between the city
and any county adjacent to it.
To show annexations or deannexations between the consolidated city itself and the entity or
entities with which it shares a government, proceed as any incorporated place user would. That

52 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

is, if you wish to annex land from another entity within the consolidated government area, treat it
as you would any annexation within a county.
6.1.9 Make a Boundary Correction (Add Area / Remove Area)
To make a boundary correction that involves either adding or removing area, follow the steps in
Table 38.
Table 38 Steps to Make Boundary Correction
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

To select the entity to which you want to add/remove area to a boundary, first click the
Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar. The
Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.

Step 2

In the Geography drop-down menu, select the type of entity you want to update: Area
Landmark/Area Hydrology, Consolidated City, County, MCD, or Place. In this example,
we will use ‘Place’. The Info list populates with all incorporated places in the county for
the geography chosen.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click on a row in the list to select the place. The map zooms to the place selected and
highlights it in cyan blue (colors may vary).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Click on the Select Feature(s) button to select the face to add to/remove from the
entity. Using one of the four methods available in the drop-down menu, select the
polygon on the map. The selected polygon turns cyan blue.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

On the Modify Area Feature toolbar, click on the Add button [ICON PLACEHOLDER]
(to add area to the entity) or on the Remove button (to remove area from the entity).
The Select Output pop-up box appears, and asks you to choose your change type.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

Click the radio button next to ‘Boundary Correction’. The face (polygon) is added to the
legal entity.

6.2 How to Update Linear Features
6.2.1 Add a Linear Feature
Follow the steps in Table 39 to add a linear feature.

53 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 39 Steps to Add a Linear Feature
Step

Action / Result [Update]

Step 1

Zoom to the location on the map where you want to add the linear feature.

Step 2

Click on the Add Line button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Left-click the mouse at the starting point of the line (A) and continue to left-click the
mouse at each vertex (shape) point of the line. When you have completed the new
line, right-click the mouse (B). The right click tells the GUPS you are finished drawing.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The Add Linear Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Type the name of the new linear feature in the Name field if the feature is named;
otherwise, leave blank. Be sure when entering the feature name either to spell out the
feature type (e.g., street, road, avenue), or to select an approved abbreviation from the
list provided in Appendix D. LINK
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

In the MTFCC field drop-down menu, choose the appropriate code for the feature.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

Click the OK button [ICON PLACEHOLDER]. The added linear feature and the name
you assigned appear on the map.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Note

Adding a linear feature coincident with a boundary – The GUPS will not allow one
linear feature to be placed over another. For example, if you attempt to add a road
overlaying a legal boundary line, a popup box will warn you ‘Added Line Overlays an
Existing line’. If you are adding a linear feature coincident with a boundary, follow the
instructions for updating linear feature attributes instead (see Table 42 in Section
6.2.4). LINK Once you select the boundary edge that you want to add a street on top
of, update the MTFCC in the Update Attributes popup to one of the "S" class feature codes
(e.g., S1400) and add a name in the FULLNAME field.

6.2.2 Delete a Linear Feature
To delete a linear feature, follow the steps in Table 40.

54 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Table 40 Steps to Delete a Linear Feature
Step

Action / Result [Update]

Step 1 Zoom to the location on the map where you want to delete the linear feature.
Step 2 Click on the Delete Line button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 3 Left-click the linear feature on the map you want to delete. In the example below, we
clicked on Macoby Drive. The clicked feature turns cyan blue and the Delete Linear
Feature box pops up.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 4 Click OK to delete the linear feature.
Note

When you delete a linear feature, it is not actually removed from the Census shapefile.
The GUPS assigns a Delete Line flag to the feature in the attribute table, and the
feature is later processed for deletion when the Census Bureau receives the BAS file.

Note

If you have multiple linear features to delete, you may click the Delete Linear Feature
button on the toolbar once, then press CTRL and click each of the features you want
deleted. The GUPS will delete all of the linear features selected and each will display
the dashed line.

6.2.3 Restore a Deleted Linear Feature
To restore a deleted linear feature, follow the steps in Table 41 below.
Table 41 Steps to Restore a Deleted Linear Feature
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Zoom to the deleted feature on the map.

Step 2

Left-click on the deleted feature. The deleted feature turns cyan blue and the Delete
Linear Feature dialog box opens. The box asks you to confirm that you want to
Restore the line.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

To restore the linear feature, click the OK button. The Delete Line flag is removed
from the attribute table and the line is restored.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

55 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

6.2.4 Change the Attributes of a Linear Feature
Follow the steps in Table 42 to change the attributes (e.g., the name, MTFCC, or address
range) of a linear feature.
Table 42 Steps to Change the Attributes of a Linear Feature
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

If you plan to change the name of a linear feature, check first to see if it has an
alternative name in the Census shapefile. To do this, follow the steps below.

Step 2

Click the Select Features button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the Standard toolbar
and choose ‘Select Feature(s)’ in the drop-down menu.

Step 3

Click the linear feature on the map and click the Display All Names button [ICON
PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar. The Display All Names dialog box opens,
displaying the primary name of the feature and the alternate name for the feature, if
one is present.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

To see if the linear feature has an additional alternate name, click the down arrow next
to the Alt. Name field. Any additional alternate name will be listed in the drop-down
menu.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

If you plan to provide an address range for a linear feature, check the checkbox next to
> direction in the Edges field in the Table of Contents. This activates the arrows that
indicate the FROM and TO nodes for line segments.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

Click on the Edit Attributes [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button on the BAS toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 7

Click the linear feature on the map whose attributes you want to edit. The Update
Edge Attribute dialog box opens with the TIGER Line Feature ID (TLID) of the feature
selected. The FULLNAME field populates if the feature is named. If the feature is not
named, the field is blank. The MTFCC field shows the assigned MTFCC.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 8

Update the FULLNAME field. If the field is blank, type in the new name. If the field is
already populated, highlight the existing name and hit the Delete key (or backspace
over the name to clear the field). Then type in the new name.

Step 9

Click on the MTFCC drop-down menu and select the correct MTFCC.

56 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result

Step
10

Change the address range for the linear feature, if necessary. Type in potential
address ranges in the LTOADD (left to address); RTOADD (right to address);
LFROMADD (left from address); RFROMADD (right from address) fields based on the
directional arrows. The directional arrows show the origin node (FROM) and the end
node (TO).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
11

Click OK.

ADD
ICON

The address ranges for all features are blank in the TIGER partnership shapefiles
because the ranges are stored in tables separate from the shapefiles. You can provide
address ranges in these fields, but be aware that we may already have address
ranges.
It is important to note which node is the FROM node and which is the TO node (based
on the red directional arrows) so that the address ranges are associated with the
correct side of the street and the correct census block.
Note: Provide potential address ranges for blocksides, such as 0-98, 100-198, etc.,
for even parity and 1-99, 101-199, etc., for odd parity address ranges. Do not provide
actual address ranges.

6.3 How to Update Area Landmarks and Hydrographic Areas
6.3.1 Create a New Area Landmark / Hydrographic Area
To create a new landmark of hydrographic area, follow the steps in Table 43.
Table 43 Steps to Create a New Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where you want to add the new area landmark/hydro
area.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 3

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’.
‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’ populates the Geography field and a list of area
landmarks and hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

57 |

Click on the Add Entity button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the Modify Area Feature
dialog box’s internal toolbar. The Select Faces to Add pop-up opens.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Click OK. Then go to the zoomed portion of your map and use the Select Feature(s)
function to define the boundaries of the new area landmark/hydro area. (See Section
5.3 for instructions on selecting features.) LINK After you add the faces, the change
polygon in which your new landmark is located turns cyan blue (colors may vary by
user system).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

Click the New Entity button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] again. The Add New Entity
dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 7

Enter the name of the new area landmark in the Full name field, then select the
appropriate code in the MTFCC field drop-down list.

Step 8

Click OK. The change polygon changes color, the name of the added landmark/hydro
area appears in the middle of the change polygon, and the name of the new entity
appears in the list of landmarks/hydro areas in the Info list (in this case we gave the
new entity the name Tiny Pond).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Note: In many systems the change polygon will change color to purple, but this may
vary by system.

ADD
ICON

Because all areal features consist of faces (polygons), you may need to “split” a face
to accurately reflect an entity’s boundary. To split a face, digitize a new line that
represents the boundary’s location and assign it the appropriate MTFCC. This splits
the original face into two faces. You can now select the face (polygon) you need to
add to the new entity. Click here for more information on adding a linear feature. LINK

6.3.2 Delete an Area Landmark / Hydrographic Area
To delete an area landmark of hydrographic area, follow the steps in Table 44.
Table 44 Steps to Delete an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

On the map, zoom to the area landmark/hydrographic area you want to delete.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

58 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 3

Action / Result
In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’.
‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’ populates the Geography field and a list of area
landmarks and hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

In the Info list, click on the area landmark/hydro area you want to delete. The selected
entry is highlighted in blue in the Info list and the map zooms directly to the selected
feature.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Click the Remove Entity button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the Modify Area Feature
dialog box’s internal toolbar. The Delete this Area Feature? pop-up box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

To delete the area landmark/hydro area, click OK. Its name will disappear from the
Info list. You may now save your work and exit the application, or choose another
update to make.

Step 7

Not ready to delete yet? If you change your mind about deleting the area
landmark/hydro area, click Cancel.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 8

You will be returned to the Modify Area Feature dialog box with the Remove Entity
button grayed out [ICON PLACEHOLDER].
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 9

If you now decide to delete the area landmark/hydro feature, click on the feature name
in the Info list. The buttons will reactivate and you may click the Remove Entity button
again.

6.3.3 Add Area to an Area Landmark / Hydrographic Area
Follow the steps in Table 45 to add area to an area landmark or hydrographic area.
Table 45 Steps to Add Area to an Area Landmark/Hydrographic Area
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 2

59 |

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’.
‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’ populates the Geography field and a list of area
landmarks and hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Select the area landmark/hydro area to which you want to add area. The selected
entity turns blue in the Info list and the map zooms to its location.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

To select the face(s) you want to add to the area landmark, click the Select Feature(s)

button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the Modify Area Feature dialog box’s internal
toolbar and select the method by which you want to add area. For this example, leftclick the Select Feature(s) button once, then press CTRL and left-click the face
polygon you want to add. The added polygon turns cyan blue (color may appear
different on your screen).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step 5

To add the face(s) selected, click the Add Area button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the

Modify Area Feature dialog box’s internal toolbar. The selected polygon is added to
the area landmark and turns color on the map. The map also now shows the full extent
of the area landmark.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
6.3.4 Remove Area from an Area Landmark / Hydrographic Area
Follow the steps in Table 46 to remove area from an area landmark or hydrographic area.
Table 46 Steps to Remove Area from an Area Landmark / Hydrographic Area
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Select the area landmark/hydrographic area from which you want to remove area.

Step 2

Click the Modify Area Feature button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
The Modify Area Feature dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

In the Geography field drop-down menu, select ‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’.
‘Area Landmark/Area Hydrology’ populates the Geography field and a list of area
landmarks and hydrological features in the county appears in the Info list.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Select the area landmark/hydro area from which you want to remove area. The
selected entity turns blue in the Info list and the map zooms to its location. In this
example, we have chosen Indian Lake County Park.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

60 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 5

Action / Result
To select the face(s) you want to remove from the area landmark, click the Select
Feature(s) button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the Modify Area Feature dialog box’s
internal toolbar and select the method by which you want to remove area. For this
example, left-click the Select Feature(s) button once, then press CTRL and left-click
the faces polygon you want to remove. The removed polygon changes color.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

To remove the face(s) selected, click the Remove Area button [ICON PLACEHOLDER]
on the Modify Area Feature dialog box’s internal toolbar. The selected polygon is
removed from the area landmark and turns color on the map.

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
6.4 How to Update Point Landmarks
6.4.1 Add a Point Landmark
To add a point landmark, follow the steps in Table 47.
Table 47 Steps to Add a Point Landmark
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where you want to add the new point landmark.

Step 2

Click the Add Point Landmark button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click on the map where you want to add the point landmark. The Add Point Landmark
dialog box opens and a red X marks the location you selected.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Type in the name for the new point landmark in the FULLNAME field. Then click the
down arrow next to the MTFCC field to open the drop-down menu. Select the MTFCC
code.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Click the OK button at the bottom of the box. [ICON PLACEHOLDER]
The map updates to show the added point landmark. In this case we added a traffic
circle and named it Buchanan Circle.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

61 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

6.4.2 Delete a Point Landmark
To delete a point landmark, follow the steps in Table 48.
Table 48 Steps to Delete a Point Landmark
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where you want to delete the new point landmark. In this
example, we will delete the traffic circle named Buchanan Circle.

Step 2

Click the Delete Point Landmark button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

On the map, click on the point landmark you want to delete (Buchanan Circle). The
Delete Point Landmark dialog box opens, and asks if you are sure you want to delete
the point landmark.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Click OK. The point landmark disappears from the map and from the attribute table.

6.4.3 Change the Attributes of a Point Landmark
To change the attributes of a point landmark (e.g., its name, MTFCC), follow the steps in Table
49.
Table 49 Steps to Change the Attributes of a Point Landmark
Step

Action / Result

Step 1

Zoom to the area on the map where the point landmark is located and click on the
landmark. In this example, we will change the name of Buchanan Traffic Circle.

Step 2

Click on the Modify Point Landmark [ICON PLACEHOLDER] button on the BAS
toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

On the map, click on Buchanan Circle. The Edit Point Landmark dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

To change the name, backspace over the name appearing in the FULLNAME field,
then type in the new name. In this example, we will change the name to Marley Circle.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

Click OK. The new name of the point landmark appears on the map.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

62 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

6.5 How to Use the GUPS Review Tools
The GUPS provides two tools – the Geography Review tool and the Review Change
Polygons tool that allow you to review the updates you have made.
The Geography Review tool gives you the ability to review all shapefile layers. You can use the
tool to filter the layer based on field values in the attribute table. Please be aware, however, that
the Geography Review tool is for your convenience only. It cannot be used to make edits to
your changes. To use the Geography Review tool, follow the steps in Table 50.
The Review Change Polygons tool allows you to view the transactions created from the edits
you made to area landmarks, including area hydrography, and legal entities, including
consolidated cities, MCDs, and incorporated places. You can review the transaction polygons
that represent boundary changes, new entities you added, or entities you deleted. The tool also
provides the ability to make further changes to your updates as you review your original
updates.
The Review Change Polygons tool must be used before you can export a file from the GUPS
to submit to the Census Bureau. This tool will alert you to any change polygons you created that
contain holes or that do not meet a minimum size requirement for a change. To conduct a
Review Change Polygons check, follow the steps in Table 51.
Table 50 Steps to Conduct a Geography Review
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click on the Geography Review button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
The Geography Review Tool dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Select the layers you want to review. In the Layer Name drop-down menu, click on the
name of the layer you want to review. In this example, we selected
bas15_25502500000_55025_changes_alndk.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The attribute table for the area landmarks layer opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

ADD
ICON

Layers that include “_changes_” in the name are the files you most likely want to
review. These layers are the transaction data output files for the type of geography
included in the name, where you have made changes to the layer.

ADD
ICON

To see all columns in the attribute table, left-click the mouse on the edge of the dialog
box and, while holding the mouse down, drag to widen the view. You may also move
the dialog box itself to another location by clicking on the box and, holding down the
mouse, dragging it to a new location.

63 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 3

Action / Result
Review the attributes to ensure they are correct. (Note: Although you can review your
changes in the attribute table using the Geographic Review Tool, you cannot edit
them).
Table 51 Steps to Review Change Polygons

Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click on the Review Change Polygons button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS
toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

The Review Change Polygons dialog box opens just below the Table of Contents.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Choose the geography you want to review from the Geography drop-down menu in
the dialog box. Then click on the type of review you want to run by clicking on either
the Small Area or the Holes button.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

If you click the Small Area button a list of any change polygons that areas too small to
be considered boundary changes (and their acreage) appears in the Info pane.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

To see all change polygons and their acreage, click the Display All Changes button.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

Click on the name of the change polygon in the list and click the Delete Change
Polygon button to delete it.

Step 7

If a small area change polygon represents a legal change, and thus should be
retained, click the Legal Entity Change button at the bottom of the dialog box. The
Create Change Polygons dialog box opens for the entity chosen. The fields in this
box are populated with the changes you made.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 8

Add the effective date in the EFF field and the authority type in the AUTHTYPE field
and attach any documentation. To attach documentation, click the folder next to the
DOC field, navigate to the documents location on your computer, and double-click the
document file.

Step 9

Click OK.

64 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result

Step
10

To review change polygons for missing areas, in the Review Change Polygons
dialog box, click the Holes button. A list of any change polygons containing holes
appears in the Info pane, with the columns PLACEFP, Entity Type, and Hole Face ID.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
11

Click on the name of a polygon in the list to see it on the map. The map zooms to the
change polygon, which is highlighted in cyan blue.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
12

Correct the polygon.

6.6 How to Export Map to Print
GUPS allows you to generate printable maps in four formats (.pdf, .png., .tif, and .jpeg). The
maps can be created in portrait or landscape view, on letter or ledger (legal) size paper, and at
various scales. Printable maps can also be customized to enhance their resolution.
To export a printable map from GUPS, follow the steps in Table 52.
Table 52 Steps to Export a Printable Map
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click on the Export to Print button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar. The
MapExport dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

In the fields provided, type in a map title and subtitle. Select the map orientation by
clicking the radio button next to ‘Portrait’ or ‘Landscape’ under Page Orientation. The
map orientation in the preview pane to the right changes to reflect your selection.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

Click the appropriate radio button in the Map Scale area to select a map scale (you
may use your current map extent or set a fixed scale). To select a fixed scale, click the
radio button next to ‘Fixed Scale’, then click the down arrow to open the drop-down
menu. In the drop-down list, click on the scale that you want to select it.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 4

Select the paper size for the map by clicking the radio button next to ‘Letter’ for 8.5 by
11 inch paper or the ‘Ledger’ button for 11 by 17 inch paper.

Step 5

When you are ready to export the file from GUPS to your directory, click the radio
button next to the desired file format under Export File Format.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

65 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 6

Action / Result
Click the Save button. You are prompted to save the file to a directory on your
computer. Name the file, select the directory where you want to save the file, then click
Save.

6.7 How to Export a .zip File to Share or Submit
When creating export .zip files containing your updates, you have two options. You may choose
to export the file to share with another user or you may choose to export the file for submission
to the Census Bureau.
In either case, the GUPS automatically names the output .zip file for you. It also packages into
the .zip all the files required by the Census Bureau (including any documentation you uploaded
into the GUPS).
Important Note: If you make changes to more than one county, you must export a separate
.zip file for each.
To begin, to share files with another user, follow the steps in Table 53. To export files for final
submission to the Census Bureau, follow the steps in Table 54.
Table 53 Steps to Export Files to Share with Another User
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click on the Export to Zip button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The Select Output Type dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Click the Share with Another Participant radio button.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Then click OK.

Step 3

If you have not yet validated your changes using the Change Polygon Review tool
(located on the BAS toolbar), a popup will remind you to do so.
You cannot export a file until the check has been run. For instructions on how to run
the change polygon check, see Table 51.

Step 4

If all your files have successfully passed the Review Change Polygons check, the Zip
File Output dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

66 |

The Zip File Output box informs you that the .zip file was created and displays the
folder location where the GUPS placed the file. It also asks if you want to view the
folder. If you click Yes, the directory opens to the folder’s location.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
You may now share the file with another user.
Table 54 Steps to Export Files for Submission to the Census Bureau

Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Click on the Export to Zip button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the BAS toolbar.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
The Select Output Type dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

Click the Export for Census radio button.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 3

If you have not yet validated your changes using the Change Polygon Review tool
(located on the BAS toolbar), a popup will remind you to do so.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
You cannot export a file until the check has been run.

Step 4

Click OK. If all your files have successfully passed the Review Change Polygons
check, the Zip File Output dialog box opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 5

The Zip File Output box informs you that the .zip file was created and displays the
folder location where the GUPS placed the file. It also asks if you want to view the
folder. If you click Yes, the directory opens to the folder’s location.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 6

67 |

You are now ready to upload your file to the Census Bureau through the SWIM. See
Section 7 on the next page.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

7 Submitting Your Files Through SWIM
To upload and transmit your update files to the Census Bureau, you must access your account
in the SWIM, as shown in Table 55 below.
Note: If you already have a SWIM account, have your user name (email address) and
password ready. If you do not have a SWIM account, have the 12-digit registration token
provided by the Census Bureau ready.
Table 55 Steps to Transmit Files to the Census Bureau Using SWIM
Step
Step 1

Action / Result
Open a new browser window and enter the URL: https://respond.census.gov/swim/
The SWIM login screen opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 2

If you already have a SWIM Account, enter your Email address and Password. Then
click the Login button. The Welcome screen opens.

Step 3

If you do not yet have a SWIM Account, you must register. Click the Register
Account button. The Account Registration screen opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

ADD
ICON

All fields on the Account Registration screen are required. You will not be able to
move to the next screen until you have completed all fields.

Step 4

On the Account Registration screen, first, enter the 12-digit token provided by the
Census Bureau. Then enter your name, agency, and email in the appropriate fields.

Step 5

Next, create a password. The passwords must meet the five criteria below:
1. It must be 8 characters in length
2. It must have at least one upper case character
3. It must have at least one lower case character
4. It must have at least one number
5. It must have at least one special character (valid special characters are:
#, !, $, *, &, ?, ~). Note: commas in the special characters list are for
spacing purposes only; the comma is not a valid character for the
password.

Step 6

Set up a security question (click the arrow on the right of the Security Question box
and select a question in the drop-down list, then enter an answer in the Answer box).
When you have finished, click the Submit button. A screen opens to confirm that you
have successfully registered.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

68 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step
Step 7

Action / Result
On the confirmation screen, click ‘Login’ in the phrase ‘Go to Login’. You are returned
to the login screen.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 8

On the login screen, enter your email and password, then click the green Login
button. The Welcome screen opens.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step 9

To begin an upload, click the Start New Upload button. A screen opens asking which
program for which you are reporting data. On this screen, click the Boundary
Annexation Survey radio button, then click Next at the bottom of the screen.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
10

A screen opens asking which type of BAS data you are reporting. Click the radio
button next to the governmental unit for which you are reporting data, then click the
Next button. In this example, we will select County.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
11

A screen opens that allows you to select your state and the entity (in this case
county) for which you are reporting data. For the example, select North Carolina in
the State field drop-down menu and the county in the County field drop-down menu.
Then click the Next button.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
12

The Select a .zip file to upload screen opens.

Step
13

To upload a file, click the + Add File button [ICON PLACEHOLDER] on the screen.
The Choose File to Upload box opens and allows you to navigate on your computer
to the .zip file’s location.

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Step
14

Locate the .zip file you want to upload, then double-click it. The Progress field on the
Select a .zip file to upload screen shows the progress of the upload. Once the
upload is complete, the Status field shows ‘Success’, and the name of the file
appears in the File(s) field.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Step
15

After you have uploaded the file, type any comments (including pertinent information
about data projection or supporting documentation) in the Comments field. Then
click the Next button. The “Thank You” page confirms the receipt of your submission.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

69 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Step

Action / Result

Step
16

To add additional files, click on the ‘upload form’ link in the phrase “You may Log Out or
return to the upload form, to submit more files.” This choice returns you to the Welcome
screen.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Otherwise, to log out, click on ‘Log Out’. The Census Bureau will acknowledge the
receipt of the uploaded file.

ADD
ICON

Be aware that after 15 minutes of inactivity, SWIM sessions are deactivated.

HELP

While working in SWIM, you may obtain help by clicking on the Help button on any
screen. When you click the button, a screen opens with links to help resources.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

70 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

APPENDIX A: CONTACT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Action/Question

Resource

Contact

Report you are
making updates
(if you do not
complete Annual
Response Form)

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651

BAS materials
questions

Geography
Division

Email: [email protected]
FAX: 1-800-972-5652

Call: 1-800-972-5651
Email: [email protected]
FAX: 1-800-972-5652

SWIM token
questions

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
Email: [email protected]
FAX: 1-800-972-5652

SWIM technical
questions

Geography
Division

[email protected]

Shapefile
downloads

BAS
Website

https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/bas/bas_download.html

GUPS technical
support

Geography
Division

Call: 1-800-972-5651
Email: [email protected]
FAX: 1-800-972-5652

Legal boundary
questions

Geography
Division
Legal Areas
Team

Call: 1-301-763-1099

Ask guidance on
areas under legal
dispute

Census
Bureau
Legal Office

Call: 1-301-763-9844

Submit output
files on DVD (if
you do not have
Internet access)

National
Processing
Center

Send to:

Email: [email protected]

US Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: BAS Returns, Bldg 63A
1201 East 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132

71 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC CORRIDORS AND
GEOGRAPHIC OFFSETS
Geographic Corridors
A geographic corridor is an area that includes only a road (or other feature’s) right-of-way and
does not contain any structures. Exhibit A3.1 shows a corridor that has been created where an
incorporated place annexed the road right-of-way, but not the housing units assigned to either
side of the road (these belong instead to an unincorporated area). If it is important to the
incorporated place that its ownership and/or maintenance of the road and/or its right-of-way be
displayed on Census Bureau’s maps, a geographic corridor should be created. However, the
Census Bureau does not require places to report rights-of-way: maintaining geographic
corridors in a nationwide database is difficult and impractical, and the right-of-way should only
be included if it is crucial to the place, or if state or local laws require it. The Census Bureau
would actually prefer that the area simply not be assigned to the place at all.
Exhibit A3.2 shows an example where the right-of-way belongs in an unincorporated area,
while the housing units along it are included in an incorporated place (shown in color). While
depicting this corridor may be important for local purposes, it is not relevant for Census Bureau
tabulations and is not easy to depict in the Census nationwide database. This type of corridor
should not be included in a BAS response.
Please note that the Census Bureau does not require places to display rights-of-way or road
maintenance corridors that do not contain or potentially contain housing or population. If local or
state law does not require depiction of these geographic features, the Census Bureau prefers
that they be left off BAS submissions. However, if it is necessary for the place to depict them,
then they must be submitted as a geographic corridor.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Exhibit A3.1

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Exhibit A3.2

To recap, when a participant has a case where a road right-of-way is legally included in the
boundary, but the adjacent parcels/houses are not, there are two options. You should either not
include the area in the place at all (Scenario A in Exhibit A3.3 below), or include it in the place
and flag it as a corridor (Scenario C below). What you should never do is include such areas
within the place boundary without flagging them as corridors (Scenario B).
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Exhibit A3.3 – (A): The respondent did not include place ownership of the road or the right-ofway, allowing houses along the road to be geocoded correctly. (B): The respondent chose to
show place ownership of the road, but did not flag it as a corridor, causing houses along the
road to be incorrectly geocoded. (C): The respondent chose to show place ownership of the
road, and flagged that ownership as a corridor, allowing the houses to be geocoded correctly.
Both A and C are acceptable.
72 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Geographic Offsets
A geographic offset is an area (either within or outside of a geographic entity) that is only on one
side of a road (unlike corridors, which involve both sides of the road) and does not include
structures addressed to that side of the road. Much of the same guidelines regarding corridors
also holds true for offsets.
The Census Bureau is aware that many governments base their legal boundaries on cadastral
(parcel-based) right-of-way mapping. Census Bureau maps are based on spatial data that is
topologically integrated which makes maintenance of geographic offsets inefficient. Using the
road centerline wherever possible will help to establish more accurate population counts. If a
boundary follows a front lot line, the Census Bureau strongly prefers that the road centerline be
used as the boundary. If a boundary is at the rear of a lot, then it should be depicted as such. If
it is unclear whether a particular line is a front lot line or something else, please contact the BAS
team for assistance. As a rule, if a house or building could not conceivably be built in the area
between the potential line and the centerline of the road, then the line can be considered a front
lot line.
Exhibit A3.4 depicts a cadastral (parcel-based) boundary map and Exhibit A3.5 shows how
the boundary should be represented when it is sent to the Census Bureau.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Exhibit A3.4

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER
Exhibit A3.5

Exhibit A3.6 below shows a situation in which the place boundary is along the front lot line. In
this example, the respondent must either use the road centerline as the boundary (preferred), or
create an offset. In Exhibit A3.7, the place boundary is on the rear lot line, so the respondent
should of course not use the road centerline or create an offset, but should rather digitize in a
new boundary following the rear lot line.
SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

SCREEN CAPTURE PLACEHOLDER

Exhibit A3.6

Exhibit A3.7

The Census Bureau has included an “offset” shapefile in the BAS materials
(bas_2016_offset_.shp), so that your jurisdiction can be checked for any existing
corridors or offsets. While the Census Bureau prefers that new offsets are not created (see
above), this information can be helpful in determining if current boundaries are correct.

73 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

APPENDIX C: MTFCC DESCRIPTIONS – COMPLETE LIST
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a 5-digit code assigned by the
Census Bureau to classify and describe geographic objects or features in Census Bureau
MAF/TIGER products.
MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

C3022

Mountain Peak or Summit

C3023

Island

C3024

Levee

C3026
C3027

Quarry (not water-filled),
Open Pit Mine or Mine
Dam

C3061

Cul-de-sac

C3062

Traffic Circle

C3066
C3067
C3071

Gate
Toll Booth
Lookout Tower

C3074

Lighthouse Beacon

C3075

Tank/Tank Farm

C3076

Windmill Farm

C3077

Solar Farm

C3078

Monument or Memorial

C3079
C3080

Boundary Monument
Point
Survey Control Point

C3081

Locality Point

C3085

Alaska Native Village
Official Point

A prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level of the
Earth's surface.
An area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low
wetland. [including archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock, hummock, isla,
isle, key, moku and rock]
An embankment flanking a stream or other flowing water feature to
prevent overflow.
An area from which commercial minerals are or were removed from
the Earth; not including an oilfield or gas field.
A barrier built across the course of a stream to impound water
and/or control water flow.
An expanded paved area at the end of a street used by vehicles for
turning around. For mapping purposes, the U.S. Census Bureau
maps it only as a point feature.
A circular intersection allowing for continuous movement of traffic at
the meeting of roadways.
A movable barrier across a road.
A structure or barrier where a fee is collected for using a road.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
observation.
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, used for
transmission of light and possibly sound generally to aid in
navigation.
One or more manmade structures, each higher than its diameter,
used for liquid (other than water) or gas storage or for distribution
activities.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from the
wind.
One or more manmade structures used to generate power from the
sun.
A manmade structure to educate, commemorate, or memorialize an
event, person, or feature.
A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve and
identify the location of the boundary line on the ground.
A point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is
known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.
A point that identifies the location and name of an unbounded
locality (e.g., crossroad, community, populated place or locale).
A point that serves as the core of an Alaska Native village and is
used in defining Alaska Native village statistical areas.

74 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G2100

American Indian Area

G2120
G2130

Hawaiian Home Land
Alaska Native Village
Statistical Area

G2140

Oklahoma Tribal
Statistical Area

G2150

State-designated Tribal
Statistical Area

G2160

Tribal Designated
Statistical Area

G2170

American Indian Joint
Use Area
Alaska Native Regional
Corporation

A legally defined state- or federally recognized reservation and/or
off-reservation trust land (excludes statistical American Indian
areas).
A legal area held in trust for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
A statistical geographic entity that represents the residences,
permanent and/or seasonal, for Alaska Natives who are members of
or receiving governmental services from the defining legal Alaska
Native Village corporation.
A statistical entity identified and delineated by the Census Bureau in
consultation with federally recognized American Indian tribes that
have no current reservation, but had a former reservation in
Oklahoma.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a state-appointed liaison for a state-recognized
American Indian tribe that does not currently have a reservation
and/or lands in trust.
A statistical geographic entity identified and delineated for the
Census Bureau by a federally recognized American Indian tribe that
does not currently have a reservation and/or off-reservation trust
land.
An area administered jointly and/or claimed by two or more
American Indian tribes.
Corporate entities established to conduct both business and
nonprofit affairs of Alaska Natives pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-203). There are
twelve geographically defined ANRCs and they are all within and
cover most of the State of Alaska (the Annette Island Reserve-an
American Indian reservation-is excluded from any ANRC). The
boundaries of ANRCs have been legally established.
Administrative subdivisions of federally recognized American Indian
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, or Oklahoma tribal statistical
areas (OTSAs). These entities are internal units of self-government
or administration that serve social, cultural, and/or economic
purposes for the American Indians on the reservations, offreservation trust lands, or OTSAs.
A relatively small and permanent statistical subdivision of a federally
recognized American Indian reservation and/or off-reservation trust
land, delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic data.
A cluster of census blocks within a single tribal census tract
delineated by American Indian tribal participants or the Census
Bureau for the purpose of presenting demographic data
A grouping of adjacent metropolitan and/or micropolitan statistical
areas that have a degree of economic and social integration, as
measured by commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together with
adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social
integration with that core, as measured by commuting. Defined using
whole counties and equivalents.

G2200

G2300

Tribal Subdivision

G2400

Tribal Census Tract

G2410

Tribal Block Group

G3100

Combined Statistical Area

G3110

Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area

75 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G3120

Metropolitan Division

G3200

Combined New England
City and Town Area

G3210

New England City and
Town Metropolitan and
Micropolitan Statistical
Area
New England City and
Town Division

A county or grouping of counties that is a subdivision of a
Metropolitan Statistical Area containing an urbanized area with a
population of 2.5 million or more.
A grouping of adjacent New England city and town areas that have a
degree of economic and social integration, as measured by
commuting.
An area containing a substantial population nucleus together with
adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social
integration with that core, as measured by commuting. Defined using
Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs) in New England.
A grouping of cities and towns in New England that is a subdivision
of a New England City and Town Area containing an urbanized area
with a population of 2.5 million or more.
Densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500 people. The
subtypes of this feature are Urbanized Area (UA), which consists of
50,000 + people and Urban Cluster, which ranges between 2,500
and 49,999 people.
The primary governmental divisions of the United States. The
District of Columbia is treated as a statistical equivalent of a state for
census purposes, as is Puerto Rico.
The primary division of a state or state equivalent area. The primary
divisions of 48 states are termed County, but other terms are used
such as Borough in Alaska, Parish in Louisiana, and Municipio in
Puerto Rico. This feature includes independent cities, which are
incorporated places that are not part of any county.
The primary divisions of counties and equivalent features for the
reporting of Census Bureau data. The subtypes of this feature are
Minor Civil Division, Census County Division/Census Subarea, and
Unorganized Territory. This feature includes independent places,
which are incorporated places that are not part of any county
subdivision.
Estates are subdivisions of the three major islands in the United
States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Legally defined divisions (subbarrios) of minor civil divisions (barriospueblo and barrios) in Puerto Rico.
A legal entity incorporated under state law to provide generalpurpose governmental services to a concentration of population.
Incorporated places are generally designated as a city, borough,
municipality, town, village, or, in a few instances, have no legal
description.
An incorporated place that has merged governmentally with a county
or minor civil division, but one or more of the incorporated places
continues to function within the consolidation. It is a place that
contains additional separately incorporated places.
A statistical area defined for a named concentration of population
and the statistical counterpart of an incorporated place.
The lowest level of geographic area for presentation of some types
of Economic Census data. It includes incorporated places,
consolidated cities, census designated places (CDPs), minor civil
divisions (MCDs) in selected states, and balances of MCDs or
counties. An incorporated place, CDP, MCD, or balance of MCD

G3220

G3500

Urban Area

G4000

State or Equivalent
Feature

G4020

County or Equivalent
Feature

G4040

County Subdivision

G4050

Estate

G4060
G4110

Subbarrio (Subminor Civil
Division)
Incorporated Place

G4120

Consolidated City

G4210

Census Designated Place

G4300

Economic Census Place

76 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

G5020

Census Tract

G5030

Block Group

G5035

Block Area Grouping

G5040

Tabulation Block

G5200

Congressional District

G5210

State Legislative District
(Upper Chamber

G5220

State Legislative District
(Lower Chamber)

G5240

Voting District

G5400
G5410

Elementary School
District
Secondary School District

G5420

Unified School District

G6120

Public-Use Microdata
Area

77 |

Feature Class Description
qualifies as an economic census place if it contains 5,000 or more
residents, or 5,000 or more jobs, according to the most current data
available.
Relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a County or
equivalent feature delineated by local participants as part of the
Census Bureau's Participant Statistical Areas Program.
A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their fourdigit identifying numbers within a Census Tract. For example, block
group 3 (BG 3) within a Census Tract includes all blocks numbered
from 3000 to 3999.
A user-defined group of islands forming a single census tabulation
block. A BAG must: (1) consist of two or more islands, (2) have a
perimeter entirely over water, (3) not overlap, and (4) not cross the
boundary of other tabulation geographies, such as county or
incorporated place boundaries.
The lowest-order census defined statistical area. It is an area, such
as a city block, bounded primarily by physical features but
sometimes by invisible city or property boundaries. A tabulation
block boundary does not cross the boundary of any other
geographic area for which the Census Bureau tabulates data. The
subtypes of this feature are Count Question Resolution (CQR),
current, and census.
The 435 areas from which people are elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives. Additional equivalent features exist for state
equivalents with nonvoting delegates or no representative. The
subtypes of this feature are 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and 111th
Congressional Districts, plus subsequent Congresses.
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the upper or unicameral chamber of a state
governing body. The upper chamber is the senate in a bicameral
legislature, and the unicameral case is a single house legislature
(Nebraska).
Areas established by a state or equivalent government from which
members are elected to the lower chamber of a state governing
body. The lower chamber is the House of Representatives in a
bicameral legislature.
The generic name for the geographic features, such as precincts,
wards, and election districts, established by state, local, and tribal
governments for the purpose of conducting elections.
A geographic area within which officials provide public elementary
grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public secondary
grade-level educational services for residents.
A geographic area within which officials provide public educational
services for all grade levels for residents.
A decennial census area with a population of at least 100,000 or
more persons for which the Census Bureau provides selected
extracts of household-level data that are screened to protect
confidentiality

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

G6300

Traffic Analysis District

G6320

Traffic Analysis Zone

G6330

Urban Growth Area

G6350
G6400

Zip Code Tabulation Area
(Five-Digit)
Commercial Region

H1100

Connector

H2025

Swamp/Marsh

H2030
H2040
H2041
H2051

Lake/Pond
Reservoir
Treatment Pond
Bay/Estuary/Gulf/Sound

H2053
H2060
H2081

Ocean/Sea
Gravel Pit/Quarry filled
with water
Glacier

H3010

Stream/River

H3013

Braided Stream

H3020

Canal, Ditch or Aqueduct

K1225

Crew-of-Vessel Location

K1231

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility
Juvenile Institution

An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for tabulating
journey-to-work and place-of-work data. A Traffic Analysis District
(TAD) consists of one or more Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs).
An area delineated by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) for tabulating
journey-to-work and place-of-work data.
An area defined under state authority to manage urbanization that
the U.S. Census Bureau includes in the MAF/TIGER® Database in
agreement with the state.
An approximate statistical-area representation of a U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) 5-digit ZIP Code service area.
For the purpose of presenting economic statistical data, municipios
in Puerto Rico are grouped into commercial regions.
A known, but nonspecific, hydrographic connection between two
nonadjacent water features.
A poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy,
possibly covered with open water. [includes bog, cienega, marais
and pocosin]
A standing body of water that is surrounded by land.
An artificially impounded body of water.
An artificial body of water built to treat fouled water.
A body of water partly surrounded by land. [includes arm, bight, cove
and inlet]
The great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.
A body of water in a place or area from which commercial minerals
were removed from the Earth.
A body of ice moving outward and down slope from an area of
accumulation; an area of relatively permanent snow or ice on the top
or side of a mountain or mountainous area. [includes ice field and
ice patch]
A natural flowing waterway. [includes anabranch, awawa, branch,
brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, and run]
A natural flowing waterway with an intricate network of interlacing
channels.
An artificial waterway constructed to transport water, to irrigate or
drain land, to connect two or more bodies of water, or to serve as a
waterway for watercraft. [includes lateral]
A point or area in which the population of military or merchant
marine vessels at sea are assigned, usually being at or near the
home port pier.
One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention. [including infirmary]
A facility (correctional and non-correctional) where groups of
juveniles reside; this includes training schools, detention centers,
residential treatment centers and orphanages.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement of
adult persons in lawful detention, administered by a local (county,
municipal, etc.) government.

K1235

K1236

78 |

Local Jail or Detention
Center

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K1237

Federal Penitentiary,
State Prison, or Prison
Farm
Other Correctional
Institution

An institution that serves as a place for the confinement of adult
persons in lawful detention, administered by the federal government
or a state government.
One or more structures that serve as a place for the confinement of
adult persons in lawful detention, not elsewhere classified or
administered by a government of unknown jurisdiction.
One or more structures intended for use as a residence for those
having a religious vocation.

K1238

K1239

K1246
K2110

K2131

Convent, Monastery,
Rectory, Other Religious
Group Quarters
Community Center
Military Installation

K2165

Hospital/Hospice/Urgent
Care Facility
Government Center

K2167

Convention Center

K2180

Park

K2181

National Park Service
Land
National Forest or Other
Federal Land

K2182

K2183

Tribal Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2184

State Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2185

Regional Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2186

County Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2187

County Subdivision Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area
Incorporated Place Park,
Forest, or Recreation
Area
Private Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area

K2188

K2189

79 |

Community Center.
An area owned and/or occupied by the Department of Defense for
use by a branch of the armed forces (such as the Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or a state owned area for the use
of the National Guard.
One or more structures where the sick or injured may receive
medical or surgical attention. [including infirmary]
A place used by members of government (either federal, state, local,
or tribal) for administration and public business.
An exhibition hall or conference center with enough open space to
host public and private business and social events.
Parkland defined and administered by federal, state, and local
governments.
Area—National parks, National Monuments, and so forth—under the
jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Land under the management and jurisdiction of the federal
government, specifically including areas designated as National
Forest, and excluding areas under the jurisdiction of the National
Park Service.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of an American
Indian tribe.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a state
government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a regional
government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a county
government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a minor civil
division (town/township) government.
A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of a municipal
government.
A privately owned place or area set aside for recreation or
preservation of a cultural or natural resource.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2190

K2191

Other Park, Forest, or
Recreation Area (quasipublic, independent park,
commission, etc.)
Post Office

K2193
K2194
K2195
K2196
K2400

Fire Department
Police Station
Library
City/Town Hall
Transportation Terminal

K2424
K2432

Marina
Pier/Dock

K2451

Airport or Airfield

K2452
K2453

Train Station, Trolley or
Mass Transit Rail Station
Bus Terminal

K2454

Marine Terminal

K2455

Seaplane Anchorage

K2456

K2459

Airport—Intermodal
Transportation
Hub/Terminal
Airport—Statistical
Representation
Park and Ride
Facility/Parking Lot
Runway/Taxiway

K2460

Helicopter Landing Pad

K2540

University or College

K2543

School or Academy

K2545

Museum, Visitor Center,
Cultural Center, or Tourist
Attraction

A place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural
or natural resource and under the administration of some other type
of government or agency such as an independent park authority or
commission.
An official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing and
distributing mail and other postal material.
Fire Department.
Police Station.
Library.
City/Town Hall.
A facility where one or more modes of transportation can be
accessed by people or for the shipment of goods; examples of such
a facility include marine terminal, bus station, train station, airport
and truck warehouse.
A place where privately owned, light-craft are moored.
A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by
piles. This platform may provide access to ships and boats, or it may
be used for recreational purposes.
A manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft. [including
airstrip, landing field and landing strip]
A place where travelers can board and exit rail transit lines, including
associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit mass motor vehicle
transit, including associated ticketing, freight, and other commercial
offices.
A place where travelers can board and exit water transit or where
cargo is handled, including associated ticketing, freight, and other
commercial offices.
A place where an airplane equipped with floats for landing on or
taking off from a body of water can debark and load.
A major air transportation facility where travelers can board and exit
airplanes and connect with other (i.e. non-air) modes of
transportation.
The area of an airport adjusted to include whole 2000 census blocks
used for the delineation of urban areas
A place where motorists can park their cars and transfer to other
modes of transportation.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by airplanes for taking
off and landing at an airport.
A fairly level and usually paved expanse used by helicopters for
taking off and landing.
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for postsecondary study, teaching, and learning. [including seminary]
A building or group of buildings used as an institution for preschool,
elementary or secondary study, teaching, and learning. [including
elementary school and high school]
An attraction of historical, cultural, educational or other interest that
provides information or displays artifacts.

K2457
K2458

80 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

K2561
K2582

Golf Course
Cemetery

K2586

Zoo

K3544

Place of Worship

L4010

Pipeline

L4020

Powerline

L4031

Aerial Tramway/Ski Lift

L4110

Fence Line

L4121
L4125

Ridge Line
Cliff/Escarpment

L4130

Point-to-Point Line

L4140

Property/Parcel Line
(Including PLSS)

L4150

Coastline

L4165

Ferry Crossing

P0001

P0002

Nonvisible Linear
Legal/Statistical
Boundary
Perennial Shoreline

A place designed for playing golf.
A place or area for burying the dead. [including burying ground and
memorial garden]
A facility in which terrestrial and/or marine animals are confined
within enclosures and displayed to the public for educational,
preservation, and research purposes.
A sanctified place or structure where people gather for religious
worship; examples include church, synagogue, temple, and mosque.
A long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with
pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport fluid (e.g., crude
oil, natural gas), especially over great distances.
One or more wires, often on elevated towers, used for conducting
high-voltage electric power.
A conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers
suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers.
A man-made barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually
made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to
confine, or to mark a boundary.
The line of highest elevation along a ridge.
A very steep or vertical slope. [including bluff, crag, head, headland,
nose, palisades, precipice, promontory, rim and rimrock]
A line defined as beginning at one location point and ending at
another, both of which are in sight.
This feature class may denote a nonvisible boundary of either public
or private lands (e.g., a park boundary) or it may denote a Public
Land Survey System or equivalent survey line.
The line that separates either land or Inland water from Coastal,
Territorial or Great Lakes water. Where land directly borders
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the shoreline represents
the Coastline. Where Inland water (such as a river) flows into
Coastal, Territorial or Great Lakes water, the closure line separating
the Inland water from the other class of water represents the
Coastline.
The route used to carry or convey people or cargo back and forth
over a waterbody in a boat.
A legal/statistical boundary line that does not correspond to a
shoreline or other visible feature on the ground.

P0003

Intermittent Shoreline

P0004

Other non-visible
bounding Edge (e.g.,
Census water boundary,
boundary of an areal
feature)
Railroad Feature (Main,
Spur, or Yard)

R1011

81 |

The more-or-less permanent boundary between land and water for a
water feature that exists year-round.
The boundary between land and water (when water is present) for a
water feature that does not exist year-round.
A bounding Edge that does not represent a legal/statistical
boundary, and does not correspond to a shoreline or other visible
feature on the ground. Many such Edges bound area landmarks,
while many others separate water features from each other (e.g.,
where a bay meets the ocean).
A line of fixed rails or tracks that carries mainstream railroad traffic.
Such a rail line can be a main line or spur line, or part of a rail yard.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

R1051

Carline, Streetcar Track,
Monorail, Other Mass
Transit

R1052

Cog Rail Line, Incline Rail
Line, Tram

S1100

Primary Road

S1200

Secondary Road

S1400

Local Neighborhood
Road, Rural Road, City
Street

S1500

Vehicular Trail (4WD)

S1630

Ramp

S1640

S1710

Service Drive usually
along a limited access
highway
Walkway/Pedestrian Trail

S1720

Stairway

S1730

Alley

S1740

S1780
S1820

Private Road for service
vehicles (logging, oil
fields, ranches, etc.)
Internal U.S. Census
Bureau use
Parking Lot Road
Bike Path or Trail

Mass transit rail lines (including lines for rapid transit, monorails,
streetcars, light rail, etc.) that are typically inaccessible to
mainstream railroad traffic and whose tracks are not part of a road
right-of-way.
A special purpose rail line for climbing steep grades that is typically
inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic. Note that aerial tramways
and streetcars (which may also be called “trams”) are accounted for
by other MTFCCs and do not belong in R1052
Primary roads are generally divided, limited-access highways within
the interstate highway system or under state management, and are
distinguished by the presence of interchanges. These highways are
accessible by ramps and may include some toll highways.
Secondary roads are main arteries, usually in the U.S. Highway,
State Highway or County Highway system. These roads have one or
more lanes of traffic in each direction, may or may not be divided,
and usually have at-grade intersections with many other roads and
driveways. They often have both a local name and a route number.
Generally a paved non-arterial street, road, or byway that usually
has a single lane of traffic in each direction. Roads in this feature
class may be privately or publicly maintained. Scenic park roads
would be included in this feature class, as would (depending on the
region of the country) some unpaved roads.
An unpaved dirt trail where a four-wheel drive vehicle is required.
These vehicular trails are found almost exclusively in very rural
areas. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars and trucks
belong in the S1400 category.
A road that allows controlled access from adjacent roads onto a
limited access highway, often in the form of a cloverleaf interchange.
These roads are unaddressable and do not carry a name in
MAF/TIGER.
A road, usually paralleling a limited access highway, that provides
access to structures along the highway. These roads can be named
and may intersect with other roads.
A path that is used for walking, being either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.
A pedestrian passageway from one level to another by a series of
steps.
A service road that does not generally have associated addressed
structures and is usually unnamed. It is located at the rear of
buildings and properties and is used for deliveries.
A road within private property that is privately maintained for service,
extractive, or other purposes. These roads are often unnamed.

S1830

Bridle Path

S1750

82 |

Internal U.S. Census Bureau use.
The main travel route for vehicles through a paved parking area.
A path that is used for manual or small, motorized bicycles, being
either too narrow for or legally restricted from vehicular traffic.
A path that is used for horses, being either too narrow for or legally
restricted from vehicular traffic.

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

MTFCC

Feature Class

Feature Class Description

S2000

Road Median

The unpaved area or barrier between the carriageways of a divided
road.

Note: The information in this table was last updated in October 2015.

83 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

APPENDIX D: ACCEPTED STREET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS
Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

ALLEY
ANEX
ARCADE
AVENUE
BAYOU
BEACH
BEND
BLUFF
BLUFFS
BOTTOM
BOULEVARD
BRANCH
BRIDGE
BROOK
BROOKS
BURG
BURGS
BYPASS
CAMP
CANYON
CAPE
CAUSEWAY
CENTER
CENTERS
CIRCLE
CIRCLES
CLIFF
CLIFFS
CLUB
COMMON
COMMONS
CORNER
CORNERS
COURSE
COURT
COURTS
COVE
COVES
CREEK
CRESCENT
CREST
CROSSING
CROSSROAD

ALY
ANX
ARC
AVE
BYU
BCH
BND
BLF
BLFS
BTM
BLVD
BR
BRG
BRK
BRKS
BG
BGS
BYP
CP
CYN
CPE
CSWY
CTR
CTRS
CIR
CIRS
CLF
CLFS
CLB
CMN
CMNS
COR
CORS
CRSE
CT
CTS
CV
CVS
CRK
CRES
CRST
XING
XRD

84 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

CROSSROADS
CURVE
DALE
DAM
DIVIDE
DRIVE
DRIVES
ESTATE
ESTATES
EXPRESSWAY
EXTENSION
EXTENSIONS
FALL
FALLS
FERRY
FIELD
FIELDS
FLAT
FLATS
FORD
FORDS
FOREST
FORGE
FORGES
FORK
FORKS
FORT
FREEWAY
GARDEN
GARDENS
GATEWAY
GLEN
GLENS
GREEN
GREENS
GROVE
GROVES
HARBOR
HARBORS
HAVEN
HEIGHTS
HIGHWAY
HILL
HILLS
HOLLOW
INLET
ISLAND

XRDS
CURV
DL
DM
DV
DR
DRS
EST
ESTS
EXPY
EXT
EXTS
FALL
FLS
FRY
FLD
FLDS
FLT
FLTS
FRD
FRDS
FRST
FRG
FRGS
FRK
FRKS
FT
FWY
GDN
GDNS
GTWY
GLN
GLNS
GRN
GRNS
GRV
GRVS
HBR
HBRS
HVN
HTS
HWY
HL
HLS
HOLW
INLT
IS

85 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

ISLANDS
ISLE
JUNCTION
JUNCTIONS
KEY
KEYS
KNOLL
KNOLLS
LAKE
LAKES
LAND
LANDING
LANE
LIGHT
LIGHTS
LOAF
LOCK
LOCKS
LODGE
LOOP
MALL
MANOR
MANORS
MEADOW
MEADOWS
MEWS
MILL
MILLS
MISSION
MOTORWAY
MOUNT
MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAINS
NECK
ORCHARD
OVAL
OVERPASS
PARK
PARKS
PARKWAY
PARKWAYS
PASS
PASSAGE
PATH
PIKE
PINE
PINES

ISS
ISLE
JCT
JCTS
KY
KYS
KNL
KNLS
LK
LKS
LAND
LNDG
LN
LGT
LGTS
LF
LCK
LCKS
LDG
LOOP
MALL
MNR
MNRS
MDW
MDWS
MEWS
ML
MLS
MSN
MTWY
MT
MTN
MTNS
NCK
ORCH
OVAL
OPAS
PARK
PARK
PKWY
PKWY
PASS
PSGE
PATH
PIKE
PNE
PNES

86 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

PLACE
PLAIN
PLAINS
PLAZA
POINT
POINTS
PORT
PORTS
PRAIRIE
RADIAL
RAMP
RANCH
RAPID
RAPIDS
REST
RIDGE
RIDGES
RIVER
ROAD
ROADS
ROUTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHOAL
SHOALS
SHORE
SHORES
SKYWAY
SPRING
SPRINGS
SPUR
SPURS
SQUARE
SQUARES
STATION
STRAVENUE
STREAM
STREET
STREETS
SUMMIT
TERRACE
THROUGHWAY
TRACE
TRACK
TRAFFICWAY
TRAIL

PL
PLN
PLNS
PLZ
PT
PTS
PRT
PRTS
PR
RADL
RAMP
RNCH
RPD
RPDS
RST
RDG
RDGS
RIV
RD
RDS
RTE
ROW
RUE
RUN
SHL
SHLS
SHR
SHRS
SKWY
SPG
SPGS
SPUR
SPUR
SQ
SQS
STA
STRA
STRM
ST
STS
SMT
TER
TRWY
TRCE
TRAK
TRFY
TRL

87 |

Boundary and Annexation Survey Respondent Guide: GUPS – DRAFT

Street Name Type

Standard Abbreviation

TRAILER
TUNNEL
TURNPIKE
UNDERPASS
UNION
UNIONS
VALLEY
VALLEYS
VIADUCT
VIEW
VIEWS
VILLAGE
VILLAGES
VILLE
VISTA
WALK
WALKS
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WELL
WELLS

TRLR
TUNL
TPKE
UPAS
UN
UNS
VLY
VLYS
VIA
VW
VWS
VLG
VLGS
VL
VIS
WALK
WALK
WALL
WAY
WAYS
WL
WLS

88 |


File Typeapplication/pdf
File TitleGUPS-7201-BAS_GUPS_Users_Guide
Subject161
AuthorJill Darlene Snider (CENSUS/GEO CTR)
File Modified2015-12-16
File Created2015-10-30

© 2024 OMB.report | Privacy Policy