How to use Power bi maps – Complete tutorial

In this power bi tutorial, we will discuss how to use Power bi maps. And also we will see the below points:

• Power bi maps
• Shape map in power bi
• Power bi custom map
• ArcGIS maps for power bi
• Power bi maps layers
• Power bi filled maps conditional formatting
• Power bi maps longitude latitude
• power bi maps zip code
• power bi maps uk
• power bi maps australia

Introduction to Power bi Maps

• The Power bi maps is a great feature to visualize the data that represent location.
• In power bi there are four types of maps and these are:
  • Map (Basic)
  • Filled Map
  • ArcGis Maps
  • Shape Map

Map (Basic)

• This Map is integrated by Power Bi with Bing Maps to provide default map coordinate (called geo-coding), so you can create Power bi maps.
• To identify the correct location, together they use algorithim, but sometimes it is best guess.
• Power bi cannot create the map visualization on its own, it enlist the help of bing maps.

Filled Map

• The Power bi filled map uses tinting or shading or pattern to display how a value differs a proportion across a geography or region.
• This map quickly display the relative differences with shading that range from light to dark.
• This map is also integrated by power bi with the Bing Map.

ArcGIS Maps

• ArcGIS maps are more advanced power bi maps than the typical basic maps. Whereas GIS stands for Geographic Information System.
• When a report designer shares the power bi Arcgis map visualization with a collegue, that collegue can view and interact with map, but they cannot change the save.
• Whereas the combination of power bi and ArcGIS takes mapping beyond the presentation of point on a map to a whole new level.
• While creating the maps, choose from base maps, themes, location types, symbol styles, and reference layer to create gorgeous informative power bi map visualization

Shape Map

• The Power bi shape map shows polygon shapes in the canvas with a blank background.
• The power bi shape map visual is used to compare regions on a map using colors.
• Unlike power bi basic map visualization, the shape map cannot show precise geographical locations of data points on a map.
• The main purpose of power bi shape map is to show relative comparision of regions on a map by coloring them differently.
• The power bi shape map have the ability to use custom maps( eg. geographical,seating arrangement, floor plans and many other) that you can create, and the visual is based on TopoJSON.

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Shape map in Power bi

Here we will see about the shape map in power bi. To create a shape map, We will start with How to enable a shape map in power bi desktop. Then we will see how to create a shape map in power bi desktop.

And also we will discuss the advantage and disadvantages of the Shape map in power bi.

How to enable Shape map in Power bi desktop?

Let’s see how to enable Shape map in power bi desktop

• Open Power bi desktop.
• Click on File -> option and settings -> Options.

• Under Global -> Preview feature in option window. Select Shape Map visual. Click on Ok
• Then restart the power bi desktop to run the Shape map visual.

After you can use the Shape map visuals in power bi.

How to create a shape map in power bi desktop?

Let’s see how to create a shape map in power bi desktop using sample data.

• In the power bi desktop, Load the sample data.
• Select the Shape map visualization from Visualization.
• Drag the state and sales from the field pane and drop it into Location and color saturation field.

• In the below screen shot you can see shape map in power bi.

Advantage of Shape map in power bi

• Shape Map allows Custom Geography (which we will discuss in next topic)
• Shape map allows any type of 2D shape.

The disadvantage of Shape map in power bi

• Shape map visual is still in preview feature, so it can only used in power bi desktop.
• Shape mape visual doesnot have background and basemap option.
• No label on the Shape map visualization.
• There no points and lines on the Shape map visual. Only it renders polygon shapes.
• Shape map in power bi is not ideal for large TopoJSON file as it may load slowly.
• The Shape map visual in power bi will plot upto a maximum of 1,500 data points.

Read How to use Microsoft Power BI Scatter Chart

Power bi custom map

Here we will see a power bi custom map in the power bi desktop. We can use the custom map with the power bi shape map as long as they are in TopoJson format in power bi desktop.

If the map format is different, then you can use the tool Mapshaper to convert your GeoJSON or shapefiles map to TopoJSON.

To use the TopoJSON map file, add some data to the Location field.

Let’s see how to create Power bi custom maps.

• Open power bi desktop
• Load the data using Get data.
• Select the shape map from the visualization under visualization pane.
• Now drag and drop objectID, collectibility, and District to Location, color Saturation and tooltips respectively.

• To add custom map, click on Format section under visualization.
• Expand the shape section and click on Add map.

• Then add the TopoJSON map file from local desktop.
• Now you can see the Power bi custom map in power bi desktop.

Read: Microsoft Power BI Combo Chart

ArcGIS maps for power bi

Here we will see how to create ArcGIS maps for Power Bi using sample data. And also we will see the

• Format of ArcGIS for power bi visualization.
• Advantage and disadvantages of ArcGIS Maps for Power Bi.

How to create ArcGIS maps for Power Bi

• In power bi desktop, click on the ArcGIS map from the visualization pane.
• The power bi add an empty template of ArcGIS map to the report canvas. We will use the standard version included with power bi.

• From the field pane, drag and drop city(Store table) to the Location.
• And then Total units this year(Sales table) to the Size field.

Now you can see the ArcGIS maps in power bi

Format of ArcGIS for power bi visualization

Let’s see the unique format option of ArcGIS for power bi visualization.

The different unique format options in ArcGIS maps areMap tools

Map tools

• You can turn the navigation on or off.
• You can lock map in its current location.
• You can define the position of infographics card on the map
• You can zoom in and zoom out the map, by default it is off.

Layers

• Here you can change the title of the layer list. And also you can turn on or off the layer list.
• You can anchor the list over the map.
• You can define the position of the anchored list.
• Whereas the layer list is by default on and is available in the expanded map tools.

Location Type

• Here you can specify the country/region in which your data is located helps to improve the accuracy of location on your ArcGIS map.
• If the data is in the single country or region, choose the country ore region from the drop down list
• And if the data is global, choose world.

Search

• For the Arcgis map, you can turn the search function on or off.
• And also you can change the default color of the pin.
• If by default seach is on, and it is available in the expanded map tools.

Advantage of ArcGIS maps in power bi

• In ArcGIs maps, options for drivetime and distance radii.
• In ArcGIS maps, clustering feature as you zoom in and zoom out.
• Heatmap feature is there in ArcGIS map
• Options for reference layer from ArcGIS online in power bi.
• Built in Infographics feature, that updates as you move around the map in power bi.

Disadvantages of ArcGIS maps in power bi

• In this map you cannot add the custom shapes, unless you added it to ArcGIS Online first and shared publicly.
• In ArcGis map is not shown when publishing to web or embeding.

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Power bi maps layers

Here we will see the Power bi maps layer by using the ArcGIS maps in the power bi desktop. Here we are using Standard ArcGIS maps.

• The different variety of layers in ArcGis map
• How to enable layer list in ArcGis map
• Change the layers visibilty
• Show layer legend
• Rename layer
• Zoom to full extent of the layer

The ArcGIS map contains a variety of layers:

• Data layer: Which is created using your data, ArcGIS map contain only one data layer. Whereas location can be displayed by polygons or points only.
• Reference layer: This service layer added from ArcGIS Living Atlas that provide context for your data. A ArcGIS map can contain multiple reference layer.
• Heat-map layer: In this map, a datalayer is styled as a heat map. And only datalayers styled using points can be rendered as heat maps, and a ArcGIS map can contain only one layer created using Power bi data
• Drive time layer: This layer is similar to the reference layer, which defines area on the map within a specific distance from the location.
• Base map: It is used for viewing only, the basemap provides visual context to your data. And also we cannot change the styling of a basemap layer in power bi ArcGIS map.

How to enable layer list in ArcGis map

• To enable layers in ArcGIS maps go to format pane, under visualization.
• Expand the layer section then turn on the Show layers.
• If you want to change the title of layer then you can rename it.
• If you want to pin the layer, then turn on the Anchor option.
• And also you can set the layer position.

Change the Layer visibility

• In ArcGIS maps, you can change the display of all the layers, that are displayed by default.
• To change the layers visiblity, click on the toggle layer visibility.

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Show layer legend

• To show the layer legend click on the drop-down, which will expand the layer entry.
• The layer entry displays the styling applied to the selected layer in ArcGIS maps.
• If you want to collapse the layer entry, click on the button again.

Rename layer

• To rename a layer, click on the More icon in the layer list then select Rename.

• Then rename pane will open , rename the layer and click on Ok.

Zoom to the full extent of the layer

• To view the full extent of the layer in ArcGIS maps, click on the More icon from the Layer.
• Then click on zoom to layer, to zoom the map layer.

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Power bi filled maps conditional formatting

Here we will see power bi filled maps conditional formatting using sample data. And also we will see when to use a power bi filled map and how to create power bi filled maps on a power bi desktop.

Then we will add the conditional formatting to the Power bi filled maps.

When to use power bi filled map

Power bi filled map is a great choice:

• Power bi filled map is used to display quantitive information on a map.
• Power bi filled map is to show spatial patterns and relationship.
• Power bi filled map is when your data is standardized
• Power bi filled map is used when working with socioeconomic data.
• Power bi filled map is used when defined region are important.
• Power bi filled map to get an overview of the distruibution across the geographic locations.

How to create power bi filled maps in power bi desktop?

Here we will see how to create power bi filled maps in power bi desktop

• Open power bi desktop
• Load the data by using get data.
• Select the power bi Filled map from the visualization pane.
• From the field pane, drag and drop the Geo -> State to Location in power bi desktop.
• And From the Field pane drag and drop the SalesFact -> Sentiment Gap to Tooltips in power bi desktop.

• Go to filter section, under filter on the visual, Expand the State Field.
• Check the box Select All, and then unselect AK.

Now we will add power bi filled maps conditional formatting

• Go to format section, under visualization.
• Expand the data color section. Then click on Conditional formatting.

• Now Default color window will open, under Format by select color scale.
• Under by Based on Field, select Sentiments.
• No need of adding custom values. The lowerst value will show yellow and the highest value will show blue.
• Then click on OK.

In the below screenshot, you can see power bi Filled chart conditional formatting.

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Power bi maps longitude latitude

Here we will see power bi maps longitude latitude using sample data in power bi desktop.

• Open power bi desktop
• Load the data using get data.
• Add latitude data to the latitude field and add longitude data to the longitude field.
• After adding latitude and longtude field aggregate to average.
• Ensure that latitude and longitude data type should be decimal
• While creating visualization using the latitude and longitude field, then it to add data to the Location field.
• So add the Address to the Location field.

In the below screenshot you can see power bi maps latitude and longitude in power bi desktop.

Power bi maps zip code

Here we will see how to add power bi maps zip code in power bi desktop.

• Open power bi desktop
• Load the databy using get data.
• Select basic maps from the visualization.
• Under Location, add zipcode

Now you can see the Power bi map zip code.

Power bi maps uk

Here we will see power bi maps the UK. Here I have used an excel file to show the Uk on the map

• Open power bi desktop
• Load the data using get data in power bi desktop
• Click on basic Map from the visualization pane
• Then drag and drop the name to the location field and then add iso to the Legend field.

Now in the below screenshot, you can see Power bi map Uk.

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Power bi maps australia

Here we will see Power bi maps Australia using sample data in power bi desktop. I will use the basic map to create a Power bi map

• Open power bi desktop
• Load the data using Get data.
• And then drag and drop the iso to location and name to the legend from the field pane.

And now you can see Power bi map Australia.

You may like the following Power Bi tutorial:

• Power bi create a date table
• Power BI Clustered Column Chart
• Power BI Export Data – Complete tutorial
• How to change data source in Power BI
• How to use Power bi ribbon chart

In this power bi tutorial, we will learn power bi maps. And also the below points:

• Power bi maps
• Shape map in power bi
• Power bi custom map
• ArcGIS maps for power bi
• Power bi maps layers
• Power bi filled maps conditional formatting
• Power bi maps longitude latitude
• power bi maps zip code
• power bi maps uk
• power bi maps australia