In this article, we will show you how to use Google Maps in Tableau with an example. For this Tableau Google maps demo, we are going to use Sample – Superstore data sources that come with the tableau.
How to Use Google Maps in Tableau
Before we start using the Google Maps in Tableau, let me first create a Symbol Map. To do so, Drag and drop the Postal Code dimension to Details card present in Tableau Marks Shelf
Now you can see the auto-generated symbol map.
Let me add Count (Quantity) to Size. It means Circle size will depend upon Number of Orders
How to use Google Maps in Tableau Worksheet
To use Google Maps in Tableau, Go to the Worksheet and Select Actions.. from the drop-down Menu
Once you select Actions.., the below-shown window will be opened. Click Add Action button and select URL.. option
Selecting URL will open the Add URL Action window
- Name: Provide a Valid name
- Source Sheets: Please choose the selection from which you want to perform this action. I mean Map
- Hover: If you select this option, Map will open when you Hover over it.
- Select: Map will open when you Select a specified point.
- Menu: Use Menu to open Map
- URL: Please specify the URL
We named it as Google Map and using this for Google Maps sheet, and it will run when you select a point. URL you have to use is: https://www.google.com/maps/?q=
Please click the side arrow to select the Latitude and Longitude. As you can see, we don’t have any existing Latitude and Longitudes in both Dimensions and Measures. If your Data source has those things, they select them.
How to use Google Maps in Tableau Dashboard
Before we start using Google Maps in Tableau Dashboard, let me create a Dashboard first
Next, we added the Google Map that we create previously to this Dashboard.
Next, drag and Drop the Web Page from Objects region to Dashboard bottom region.
Dropping a Web Page will open the Edit URL window. Please leave it blank or specify default URL name and click OK
Now you can see our Dashboard has One Symbol Map and a Web page
To use Google Maps in Tableau dashboard, Go to the Dashboard and Select Actions.. from the drop down-Menu
Once you select Actions.., the below-shown window will be opened. Here, Please click Add Action button and choose URL..option
Selecting the URL will open the Add URL Action window. We already explained theses properties in our previous example. Here, we named it Google DB Map, and it will run when you select a point. URL you have to use is: https://www.google.com/maps/?q=
Please click the side arrow to select the Latitude and Longitude. As you can see, we are choosing the Latitude that was auto-generated by tableau when you add Postal Code to maps.
Similarly, add longitude to the URL. Now the URL will be https://www.google.com/maps/?q=<Latitude(generated)>,<Longitude(generated)>
Click OK to close the window
Let me select Los Angles from Map, and you can see the Google Map of the Specified Postal Code. If your Data has the proper address, then Tableau google map will display that building as well.
By selecting the location, you can explore the Google Map options like Directions, call, etc.
Let me show you the view of the below-shown image
And you can see the City hall
You can also select the Satellite View from this Tableau Google Map
