Grid-based Maps

Creating a grid-based map in Surfer allows you to visualize continuous data trends across a surface, such as elevation, temperature, or contamination levels. By interpolating scattered point data into a grid, you can generate contour maps, color relief maps, and 3D surfaces that reveal patterns not immediately visible in raw data—making grid-based maps ideal for analysis, modeling, and decision-making.

If your Excel data file contains XYZ data and you would like to create a contour map or other grid-based map type (like Color Relief or 3D Surface), follow these steps:

1. Click Home | Grid Data | Grid Data.
2. In the Grid Data - Select Data dialog, click Browse under Dataset 1.
3. In the Open Data dialog, select your data file and click Open.
4. In the Grid Data - Select Data dialog, select the X, Y and Z columns from the data file, and choose your desired gridding method (or accept the defaults). Click Finish (or, click Next or Skip to End to adjust other gridding parameters). That will create a grid file from your data. You can use this grid file to create maps.

As an example, here is how you can create a contour map from the grid file you just generated.

1. Click Home | New Map | Contour.
2. Select the grid file and click Open. The map is created.
3. Select the map layer in the Contents window and edit the properties of the map in the Properties window.

Post Maps and Base from Data Maps

When displaying XY point data in Surfer, a Post Map can be used for quick visualization and labeling of large datasets—it renders efficiently and is easy to manage as a single object. Alternatively, a Base from Data Map can be used when you need more control over individual points, such as customizing symbols or accessing specific attributes. The best option depends on whether your focus is performance and labeling or detailed editing and styling.

If your Excel data file contains point data (each XY coordinate pair in the data file is an individual point) and you would like to create a Post map, follow these steps:

1. Click Home | New Map | Post | Post (or Classed Post).
2. In the Open Data dialog, select your data file and click Open. A post map is created.
3. Select the Post map layer in the Contents window and edit the properties of the map in the Properties window. For example, you can label the point with another column in the data file if you wish.

If your Excel data file contains point data with attributes and you would like to create a Base Map, follow these steps:

1. Click Home | New Map | Base | Base from Data.
2. In the Open Data dialog, select your data file and click Open.
3. Specify the X and Y columns in the Base from XY Data dialog and click OK. A base map is created.
4. Select the Base(vector) map layer in the Contents window and edit the properties of the map in the Properties window.
   1. For example, you can label the points with another column in the data file or apply a symbology to the points.

Post, Classed Post, and Base layers all use XY data files to create map layers, but they work a bit differently. Here's an overview of important considerations when you are creating your map layers:

• Post and Classed Post layers are treated as a single object. This means they use less memory and render faster, making them ideal for large datasets.

• These layers also offer more control over labels and can be easily included in legends.

In contrast:

• Base layers treat each point as a separate object. This allows you to edit and query individual points after the layer is created.

• Base layer points also retain attribute data and can be styled using symbology.

XY data for polylines/polygons

If your Excel data file contains the XY coordinates of polylines or polygons and you want to load the data as a Base map, we suggest converting the Excel file to BLN format. The BLN file format is a simple ASCII text data file, consisting of a one line header followed by point data.

For additional information about creating a BLN file see: How Can I Create A BLN File In Surfer?