A free mapping tool that allows you to create a thematic map of London without any specialist GIS skills or software - all you need is Microsoft Excel. Templates are available for London’s Boroughs and Wards. Full instructions are contained within the spreadsheets.
Macros
The tool works in any version of Excel. But the user MUST ENABLE MACROS, for the features to work. There a some restrictions on functionality in the ward maps in Excel 2003 and earlier - full instructions are included in the spreadsheet.
To check whether the macros are enabled in Excel 2003 click Tools, Macro, Security and change the setting to Medium. Then you have to re-start Excel for the changes to take effect. When Excel starts up a prompt will ask if you want to enable macros - click yes.
In Excel 2007 and later, it should be set by default to the correct setting, but if it has been changed, click on the Windows Office button in the top corner, then Excel options (at the bottom), Trust Centre, Trust Centre Settings, and make sure it is set to 'Disable all macros with notification'. Then when you open the spreadsheet, a prompt labelled 'Options' will appear at the top for you to enable macros.
To create your own thematic borough maps in Excel using the ward map tool as a starting point, read these instructions. You will need to be a confident Excel user, and have access to your boundaries as a picture file from elsewhere. The mapping tools created here are all fully open access with no passwords.
Copyright notice: If you publish these maps, a copyright notice must be included within the report saying: "Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database rights."
NOTE: Excel 2003 users must 'ungroup' the map for it to work.
