US State Map, Choropleth

A map of the United States shows a comparison of measurement values among US States.

The following steps demonstrate how to create a new map visual on the dataset US County Population [data source samples.us_counties]. It produces colored regions for the measurements that correspond to the state field.

Tip. Remember that to map state information, the dimension must be named state. This article demonstrates how to use the Alias setting to make the dataset field stname conform to this requirement.
  1. Start a new visual based on dataset US County Population [data source samples.us_counties]; see Creating Visuals.

  2. In the visuals menu, find and click map, the sixth choice on the third row.

  3. Note that the shelves of the visual changed. They are now X, Y, Geo, Measures, Tooltips, and Filters.

    The only mandatory shelf for map visuals is Geo.

    shelves of map visual type

  4. Populate the shelves from the available fields (Dimensions, Measures, and so on) in the Data menu.

    • Under Dimensions, select stname and drag it over the Geo shelf on the main part of the screen. Drop to add it to the shelf.
    • Under Measures, select tot_pop and drag it over the Measures shelf on the main part of the screen. Drop to add it to the shelf.
  5. If you click Refresh Visual at this time, it generates an error.

  6. Alias the field stname as state, and sum(tot_pop) as population, and click Refresh Visual.

    The map visual appears.

  7. For population, click the icon (down arrow), select Display Format, and enter , (comma).
  8. [Optional] Enable panning and zooming option, as described in Customizing Zoom.
  9. [Optional] Change the color palette, as described in Change Color Palette.

  10. Click (pencil icon) next to the title of the visualization to edit it, and enter the new name.

  11. Change the title to US State Population - Choropleth Map.

  12. At the top left corner of the Visual Designer, click Save.

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