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Tableau Tutorial

Using Map Filters

Overview

Map filters in Tableau allow you to refine your geographic visualizations by displaying only the data that meets specific criteria. Filters help you focus on relevant subsets of your data, making your maps more insightful and easier to interpret.

Steps to Use Map Filters

  1. Add a Filter to Your Map:
    • Open the Filters Pane: Drag the desired field from the Data pane to the Filters shelf. This can be any field that you want to use to filter the map, such as a category, date, or geographic region.
    • Configure the Filter: Tableau will prompt you to set filter criteria. Choose the type of filter you want to apply, such as Range of Dates, Category, or Relative Date.
    • Apply the Filter: Click OK to apply the filter to your map. The map will update to display only the data that matches the filter criteria.
    • Example: Drag a field like “Region” to the Filters shelf and select specific regions to display on the map.
  2. Use Filter Actions for Interactive Maps:
    • Create Filter Actions: Go to the Worksheet menu, select Actions, and then choose Add Action → Filter. Define the source and target sheets and set up the filter criteria.
    • Configure Action Settings: Specify how the filter action will interact with the map. You can set filters to apply when hovering, clicking, or selecting data points.
    • Example: Set up an action to filter a map based on a selection from a related chart or dashboard.
  3. Apply Hierarchical Filters:
    • Add Hierarchical Filters: Drag a hierarchical field (e.g., Country > State > City) to the Filters shelf. Tableau will allow you to filter at multiple levels of the hierarchy.
    • Set Filter Levels: Choose the levels of the hierarchy to display or filter. You can select specific levels or allow users to choose.
    • Example: Filter a map to show data for specific states within a country, or further drill down to specific cities.
  4. Create Dynamic Filters:
    • Use Parameters for Dynamic Filtering: Create a parameter by selecting Create Parameter from the context menu of a field. Define the parameter options and link it to your filter.
    • Apply Parameter to Filter: Drag the parameter to the Filters shelf or use it in a calculated field to dynamically update the filter based on user input.
    • Example: Use a parameter to let users select a date range dynamically, updating the map to show data for the chosen period.
  5. Filter Based on Map Layers:
    • Layer-Specific Filters: If you have multiple map layers, apply filters specific to each layer. Open the Map Layers pane, and adjust filters for each layer to focus on relevant data.
    • Example: Filter a map to display only certain types of data points, such as sales versus customer locations, on different layers.

Best Practices for Using Map Filters

  1. Keep Filters Relevant:
    • Use filters that directly relate to the data being visualized and the insights you want to convey. Avoid overly complex or irrelevant filters that may confuse users.
  2. Allow User Interaction:
    • When using filter actions or parameters, ensure they are user-friendly and provide clear instructions. Allow users to interact with the map and customize their view.
  3. Test Filter Performance:
    • Test filters for performance, especially when working with large datasets. Ensure that filters do not slow down map interactions or cause delays.
  4. Combine Filters Thoughtfully:
    • Combine multiple filters to create meaningful views of your data. Be mindful of how different filters interact and ensure they do not produce conflicting results.
  5. Document Filter Criteria:
    • Provide clear labels or descriptions for filters to help users understand what data is being displayed. Document the criteria used for filtering, especially in interactive dashboards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I apply multiple filters to a map?

A: Drag multiple fields to the Filters shelf. You can configure each filter individually to refine the map view based on different criteria.

Q: Can I filter a map based on a selection in another worksheet?

A: Yes, you can create filter actions to link maps and other worksheets. Go to Worksheet → Actions → Add Action → Filter, and set up the action to apply filters based on selections.

Q: How can I use parameters to filter a map dynamically?

A: Create a parameter from the Data pane and set its options. Then, link the parameter to a filter or calculated field to allow dynamic filtering based on user input.

Q: What is the difference between hierarchical and non-hierarchical filters?

 A: Hierarchical filters allow you to filter data at multiple levels of a hierarchy, such as Country > State > City. Non-hierarchical filters apply criteria to a single level of data.

Q: How do I filter data on different map layers?

A: Open the Map Layers pane and adjust filters for each layer individually. This allows you to focus on specific data types or categories displayed on different map layers.

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