Create a Map in Tableau

Maps are handy for visualizing geographical data, and in this section, we show how to create them in Tableau with an example. For this demo, we will use the SQL Server Data Source.

How to Create a Map in Tableau?

Double-clicking on any geographic field, such as city, postcode, country, or state, will automatically create a map in Tableau. In this example, we will double-click on the State Province Name dimension. The desktop added the Latitude value to the Row shelf, the Longitude value to the Column shelf, and the State province Name to the Details field in the Marks Shelf.

Refer to the Connecting to SQL Server, Charts, and SQL for this Desktop report.

How to Create a Map in Tableau 2

The second approach to Creating a Symbol Map in Tableau

Drag and drop any geographic field, such as city, country, postcode, or state, on the details field, which will automatically create a map. Here, we will drag the State Province Name dimension to the Details field in Marks Shelf.

Drag Geographic field like State or Postal code

Now you can see the auto-generated one.

Desktop generates Latitude and Longitude values 4

You can also add the geographical hierarchy, as well. For example, we have added the Stateprovince hierarchy (province Name, City) to the details card. Please refer to the following articles to enhance the map functionality and visibility.

  1. Google Maps
  2. Mapbox Maps as a Background Map
  3. WMS Server Map as a Background Map
  4. Map Options – To change the Background Layer and add the Data Layer
add the geographical hierarchy

The third approach

Please drag and drop any Geographic field to the Column or Row shelf, and selecting the Map from the Tableau Show Me window will automatically create it for you. Let’s drag the State Province Name dimension to the Columns Shelf. Next, choose the dotted one present in the Show Me card.

Using Show Me Window 6

That will automatically create the United States data points

How to Create a Map in Tableau 7

Add Sales Amount Measure to the Colors field in the Marks Shelf. It will add color to each state on a Map based on the sales amount.

How to Create a Map in Tableau 8

Create Basic Maps in Tableau

Tableau Maps are convenient for visualizing geographical data. This section will show you how to Create regular Maps with an example. For this Maps demo, we will use World Indicators data sources that come with the desktop.

There are multiple ways to create Maps in Tableau. In this article, we will explain all of them. Drag and drop any Geographic field to the Row or Column shelf, and selecting the icon in the Show Me window will automatically create a Map. In this example, we will drag the Country dimension to the Columns Shelf.

Choose Country and add to Columns shelf 2

Next, Drag and Drop the Total Population from the Measures Region to the Rows Shelf. Since it is a Measure value, the Total Population will aggregate to the default Sum.

Add Population to Rows Shelf 3

Let me change that Bar Chart into a World. To do so, Please expand the Show Me window and select the marked option.

Maps in Tableau 4

Tableau Map will be displayed once you choose this from the Show Me window. From the screenshot below, you can see the Row and column Shelf filled with generated Latitude and Longitudes. Country will be added to the Detail Card, and Total Population will be added to the Columns Card.

Maps in Tableau 5

You can highlight any country to see that Country’s population

Highlight any Country to View the Population 6

Second Approach of creating Basic Maps in Tableau

Double-clicking on any geographic field such as Postcode, City, State, or Country will automatically create a Tableau Map. In this example, we will double-click on the Country dimension. From the screenshot below, you can see that the desktop has created a Symbol for you. Here, it added the Latitude to Row shelf, Longitude to Column shelf, and Country Name to Details Card in Marks Shelf.

Maps in Tableau 8

To convert the Symbols, you can either click on the marked one from the Show Me window or change the Marks type from Automatic to Map.

change the Marks type from Automatic

Either way, it will generate the below for you.

Maps in Tableau 10

Let us add Population Total to the Colors card in Marks Shelf. It will add color to every country based on its Population.

Maps in Tableau 11

Create Maps in Tableau – Third Approach

Drag and drop any geographic field on the Details card, and it will automatically create a map. In this example, we will drag the Country Name dimension to the Details card present in Marks Shelf.

Drag Geographic field Country on the Details card

Now, you can see the auto-generated symbol. Use either of the approaches mentioned above to convert the Symbol to Map.

Change Marks from Automatic to Maps

Add Data labels to Maps in Tableau

To add data labels to Maps, Click the Show Mark Labels button in the Toolbar. Though it looks odd, you get the idea of adding data labels.

Add data Labels 14

Change Colors of Maps

Until now, you saw the Tableau Maps with the default colors, but you can change the default colors. To do so, click the drop-down menu beside the SUM(Population Total) color legend or right-click on the Color bar. Both of them will open the context menu below. From that, please select the Edit Colors… option.

Change the Default Color by editing

The following window will open once you choose the Edit Colors… option. Click the drop-down arrow under the Palette and select the color as per your specification. For now, we are choosing Gold-Purple Diverging. Remember, by clicking the Advanced button, you can specify the Start Point, End Point, and Center as well.

Edit Colors 16

Now, you can see it with the Gold-Purple Diverging color schema.

Maps in Tableau 17