Cloropleth Maps

Overview

Maps allow you to visualize location-based data using colors to reflect proportional results.

For instance, if viewing Project Revenue by State or Province on a color scale from Blue to Red, areas would be colored as follows (areas falling in between would be a combined shade):

While Analytic Dashboard Designer uses a set of default maps, you can also load custom maps with a Shapefile (typically contains an .shp and .dbf).

Adding Data

Data fields are bound to Maps by dragging them to the Data Items Pane as an Attribute, Value, Target, or Measure.

Additionally, Hidden Data Items can be used for additional configurations, such as filtering, without displaying the field on the Dashboard Item.

Working with Data

Each Dashboard Item has different requirements for the data you add to it.

As mentioned above, Maps use Attributes, Values, Targets (if using a Delta), and/or Measures

Each Data Item can be formatted by hovering over the item and clicking the down arrow.

Consider the following example:

This will result in color coded areas on the US Map (for example) based on the total number of hours per state. Hovering over each state will reflect the sum of hours and the number of projects per state.

TIP: If you’ve added data but don’t see it reflected, click the Refresh button above the Field List in the Data Browser (left-hand pane of the designer).

Binding Map Attributes

As mentioned above, Attributes are used to bind map shapes to data items. For example, a data item with state codes (e.g. ME, VA, etc.) can be bound to the POSTAL map attribute.

To do this:

1. Click the Attribute’s options icon (link icon next to the Attributes placeholder)

2. Select the Map Attribute that corresponds to the Data Item

3. Click Ok

Map Options

Map values can be calculated based on a Value (only) or a Delta.

This is set by clicking the options icon (to the right of the Value placeholders in the Data Items pane).

Value

When selecting Value, the map will calculate results based on the value alone. For example, Countries would be colored based on their position on the scale of results.

A Value’s Scale and Color settings include the following options:

Click Apply to preview the selected options on the map.

Deltas

As mentioned above, Deltas represent the difference between the Actual and the Target.

When selected, Maps will color based on the Delta and will include the Value Type in the map’s tooltip.

Deltas can be configured by clicking the options icon (to the right of the Value placeholders in the Data Items pane).

Delta Options include:

Multiple Maps

Map Dashboard Items allow you to build multiple maps per dashboard item.

When filling the Map Values, you’ll notice a new set of empty placeholders appear. If applicable, drag and drop a new value or new set of comparisons (Delta) and the map will display a Value icon (stack seen in the upper-right hand corner of the dashboard item) which you can use to switch between maps.

Formatting

Data added to Maps is automatically formatted based on the data type. That said, each Data Item can be formatted by hovering over the item and clicking the down arrow.

For instance, if using a percentage, you would likely need to change the format to type: Percent.

Numbers / Currency

To change the format for numbers or currency, hover over the data item in the Data Items pane and complete the following:

Map Tools

Maps feature a specific set of design and data tools, available from the toolbar (some options are also available by right-clicking the chart).

All toolbar items feature tool tips which explain (in short) the core functionality of the toolbar option.

Data Tab

The Data Tab includes several options for data shaping.

Design Tab

Cards allow the following design options.