> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.datamidsouth.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/getting-started/welcome.md).

# Welcome

Here you'll find step-by-step guides, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to help you make the most of Data Midsouth (DMS).

## Getting started: Find and Use Local Data

Data Midsouth is a public data hub for Memphis and Shelby County. It’s built for community members—neighbors, advocates, students, parents, journalists, researchers, and anyone trying to understand what’s happening in our city.

This page explains how to use Data Midsouth to **find**, **understand**, and **use** **data**—even if you’ve never worked with “data” before.

{% hint style="info" %}
Use the **search bar at the top** of this page or the table of contents to your left to quickly find answers to your questions.
{% endhint %}

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>What's Data Midsouth?</strong></td><td>New? Start here. </td><td><a href="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FJssrJ0k5DE2vJTSpt8yT%2Fopen-graph-p-1080.jpeg?alt=media&amp;token=83e64293-aa6e-4e6e-b68c-21c1d6afc010">open-graph-p-1080.jpeg</a></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/getting-started/what-is-data-midsouth.md">What is Data Midsouth?</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Tour the Interface</strong></td><td>Get acquainted with the features that make navigation easy.</td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/e1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp/blobs/eY7dDM4GT8LlssXWwThc/tour%20interface%20.jpg">tour interface .jpg</a></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/getting-started/tour-the-interface.md">Tour the interface</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Access</strong></td><td>How to sign up and sign in (optional).</td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/e1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp/blobs/E4BYuleOM2sn59AjgEJS/felt%20mock%20up.jpg">felt mock up.jpg</a></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/getting-started/login-accounts-optional.md">Login accounts (optional)</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Discover DMS

The Data Midsouth portal is organized around [four types of data assets](/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-types.md).&#x20;

Here's a quick snapshot of what you'll find:&#x20;

* **Raw data** - Structured, clean datasets you can download and analyze in Excel, Google Sheets, QGIS, Python, or any other tool.&#x20;
* **Visualizations** - Interactive charts, maps, and dashboards you can explore directly in your browser.&#x20;
* **Mega Data** - Interactive visualizations and applications that cover an especially deep and/or wide range of topics
* **Reports** - PDFs and documents produced by local partners that detail research, analyses, and community assessments.&#x20;

For more information, visit [Data asset types](/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-types.md).

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Data Asset Types</strong></td><td>Understand the different types of assets</td><td></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-types.md">Data asset types</a></td><td><a href="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FnDzvUa7un4gLE8ExChVY%2FThumbnail_Asset%20Types.png?alt=media&amp;token=3d0d1ae8-b326-4ee0-982a-6d834a07dd72">Thumbnail_Asset Types.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Data Asset Page</strong></td><td>Review metadata and navigate to assets</td><td></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/getting-started/explore-the-catalog.md">Explore the catalog</a></td><td><a href="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2Fgal3FM7HmwZ7NSV60hFX%2Fmetadata%20-%20open%20in%20tool.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=deb253ef-88c8-4ab7-ba0e-1ad701931ad4">metadata - open in tool.jpg</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Filter &#x26; Search</strong></td><td>Search for a specific topic</td><td></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/features/search-and-filter.md">Search &amp; filter</a></td><td><a href="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FYYwe5SrSe7uluSNRXuy5%2FThumbnail_Search%20Filter.png?alt=media&amp;token=648013cd-ecae-4157-b0fe-ad0db65464cf">Thumbnail_Search Filter.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Downloads &#x26; formats</strong></td><td>Download data for your own analysis</td><td></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/features/downloads-and-formats.md">Downloads &amp; formats</a></td><td><a href="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FjxHlFJLGSkY3RuykhSN8%2FThumbnail_Download.png?alt=media&amp;token=11c10c31-64b6-41b5-8bc6-e1a815471410">Thumbnail_Download.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>API</strong></td><td>Connect to the data directly</td><td></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/advanced-features/api.md">API</a></td><td><a href="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FyJeAzdoCAfTBkzF3zGxY%2FThumbnail_API%20Console.png?alt=media&amp;token=59e959ca-86f0-4bed-9071-005b01a66d22">Thumbnail_API Console.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Troubleshooting &#x26; FAQs</strong></td><td>Support where you need it. </td><td></td><td><a href="/data-midsouth-portal/support-and-administration/troubleshooting-and-faqs.md">Troubleshooting &amp; FAQs</a></td><td><a href="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FBX0FNZlWaot0XwXaJMbT%2FThumbnail_Deeds%20Map.png?alt=media&amp;token=d329fdf3-fbfc-4890-aaa3-a5ad233c117e">Thumbnail_Deeds Map.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

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