I am looking for a mapping program which can take a list of locations
(city, state) in an excel spreadsheet and plot them on a map. We need
to input the locations to show on a national U.S. map and be able to
zoom in to see when we will be near a new target customer.  This
program needs to be easy enough for an "advanced beginner" or
intermediate skill level.  It needs to be an off the shelf product.  Does
such software exist?  A good answer will give us a few options and a
recommended product.

Dear Research_help,

Does the following product meet your needs?

Mapland
http://www.softill.com/

Mapland is inside Microsoft Excel. Mapland gives you the intuitive
interface and power of Microsoft Excel, plus an added mapping
capability. Since you already know how to use Microsoft Excel, you
already know how to use Mapland.

Software Illustrated
P.O. Box 5405
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: 209-832-7353
Fax: 209-832-0193
http://www.softwareillustrated.com/

Best regards,
Bobbie7

Bobbie,
I had also found that program during my search, but I cannot tell from
their page if the program can do what we need.  We have spreadsheets
with city and state columns and we need to be able to automatically
(i.e. the mapping program interacts with excel without me having to
type each city, state into the mapping program) plot the locations
graphically on a map and then zoom in to a region and see which
locations are in a specific area.
So, unfortunately, I cannot tell yet if this would be an acceptable
answer without further information. Thank you

Research_help,

If I am able to provide you with additional information regarding
Mapland, I will post it here.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

Microsoft actually has a product which does exactly this, called MapPoint.
http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/2004/default.mspx