Tableau Maps [How to Create Stunning Maps in Tableau]

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating stunning maps in Tableau. We will cover essential features, from basic mapping to advanced visualizations. By the end of this guide, you will have the skills to create filled maps, symbol maps, dual-axis maps, and even custom shapes.

Step 1: Prepare Your Data

• Download the workbook and data file provided in the video description.
• The dataset should include columns such as Zip Code, City, State, County, Country, Sales, and Salesperson.
• Open Tableau and connect to the data:
  • Select "Text File" and navigate to your data file.
• Clean your data:
  • If the City is misspelled and not recognized, click the ABC icon, assign the Geographic Role to City, and correct the spelling.

Step 2: Create a Filled Map

• Start building your map by double-clicking the State field in Tableau.
• If you see error messages about unknown locations:
  • Click on "Edit Locations" to resolve the issues.
  • Correct any entries like "NYC" to "New York."
• To visualize the data:
  • Drag the Sales measure into the "Color" shelf for a color-coded representation.
  • Adjust the map options by zooming in on the desired area.

Step 3: Customize Your Map

• Go to the "Color" shelf to edit your color palette.
• Set transparency or add borders for better visibility.
• For labeling:
  • Drag Sales into the "Label" shelf, format it as Currency, and adjust the font size for clarity.

Step 4: Create a Symbol Map

• Open a new sheet and double-click the Zip Code field.
• Apply filters to narrow down your data (e.g., by Office Type or State).
• Change the mark type to "Circle" and adjust the color and size based on Sales.
• Use map layers to display streets and highway names for better context.

Step 5: Create a Dual-Axis Map

• Open a new sheet and create a filled map for selected states (e.g., California, Arizona, Nevada).
• Duplicate your Latitude field to create a second map layer.
• Change the second map to Zip Code and adjust the mark type to circles.
• Click the right pill to create a dual-axis map, allowing both layers to be visible simultaneously.

Step 6: Combine Maps with Other Visualizations

• You can also combine maps with pie charts or other visualizations.
• Create your base map with states and then duplicate it to create a new visualization above (e.g., a pie chart showing sales distribution).
• Format and adjust sizes and colors for clarity, ensuring the visualizations complement each other.

Step 7: Use Custom Shapes

• Download icons or shapes you want to use (e.g., logos or images).
• Paste them into the Tableau repository under Shapes.
• In your map, use the shape mark type and select your custom shapes.
• Create a dual-axis map to overlay the shapes on your data points for enhanced visual storytelling.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can create visually appealing and informative maps in Tableau. You now have a solid foundation for using various mapping techniques and customizing your visualizations. For further exploration, consider experimenting with different datasets and advanced mapping functionalities available in Tableau. Happy mapping!