By default, Tableau uses default Maps to display the spatial data. However, you have an option to use your own Background Maps. In this article, we will show you how to Use Mapbox Maps as a Background Map in Tableau with an example.
For this Tableau Mapbox Maps demo, we created two sample styles in our Mapbox account. If you want you can use default mapbox styles
For this Mapbox Maps in Tableau example, we are going to use Sample – Superstore data sources that come with Tableau.
How to Use Mapbox Maps as a Background Map in Tableau
Before we start using the Mapbox Maps as a Background Map in Tableau, let me first create a Symbol Map. To do so, Drag and drop the Postal Code dimension to Details card present in Marks Shelf
Now you can see the auto-generated symbol map.
Let me add City to Details card, and Count (Quantity) to Size. It means Circle size will depend upon Number of Orders
To use Mapbox Maps as a Background Map in Tableau, Go to the Map, select background Maps and then select Map Services… from the drop-down Menu
Selecting Map Services… will open Map Services window
Please click Add… button and choose Mapbox Maps.. option. Please refer WMS Server Map as a Background Map to understand the WMS Servers.. option
Select Tableau Mapbox Maps.. option will open Add Mapbox Map window
- Style Name: Please specify a valid style name.
- URL: Specify the URL where your Mapbox map is present.
Please go to the Mapbox website and Go to the Style section. Next, select the style that you want to use, and select Share, develop & use from the Menu
It will navigate you to a new page. Please copy the Code under the Use Style in GIS Apps section. Remember, don’t forget to select Tableau
Pasting the URL will automatically add the API Access Token, Username, and Layer ID. Click OK to close the window
Click Close button
Now you can see that our default tableau Map replaced by the Satellite map that we created in mapbox.
If you want to check which Background Map is using currently and Go to the Maps -> Background Maps. You can see it is using NewRoadMap instead of the tableau.
You can Zoom any particular location
