These are good maps for standardized display but fall short when it comes to more advanced customization. The filled map displays shaded geographic areas. The map displays points, which can optionally be sized as area bubbles. Power BI has two native map visuals: the map and the filled map.
#TABLEAU WMS URL FREE#
Feel free to comment and build up the pros and cons, or correct anything that may stand out in error. Each method could have advantages in different circumstances. The following list is not a ranking, but I have included a small sample of pros and cons for each method. While there are numerous options to create maps in Power BI, there is no method that stands out as “the one” that is best for every situation. In many cases, forcing data onto a map can be more confusing or potentially misleading than using another type of visualization. A large temptation is to throw all location data onto a map, but sometimes a list of locations and a bar chart or another simple representation will do.
When it comes to Microsoft Power BI, what are the options?īefore getting into maps in Microsoft Power BI, it is also valid to state that a map is not required to represent geographic data. Sometimes, these choices are constrained or dictated by technology, but in other cases, technology allows for greater flexibility. Regardless of the reasons for this perceived increase, the data is there. For users that want to visualize their geospatial data on a map, there are numerous choices to make. Location data is nothing new, but it seems that people are storing more of it. You can read more about the Shape Map at the following locations: The Shape Map allows users to select from a handful of provided geographies as well as load a TopoJSON file for custom shapes. Read more about the new capabilities coming soon to Power BI with Esri maps: Īs of the July Power BI Desktop update, the new Shape Map exists as an additional method. With Esri ArcGIS maps, I believe that gap will be closed. There has always been a noticeable gap in functionality between Power BI and Tableau (both Tableau native and with Mapbox and WMS integration). In my mind, its eventual release will make Power BI instantly relevant as a “self-service” as well as basic enterprise GIS tool. Now there are 7 Ways to Create Maps in Microsoft Power BI…Īnnounced today, there will soon be Esri ArcGIS maps for Power BI – at no additional cost.
Please see the updated “ 10 Ways to Create Maps in Microsoft Power BI” instead. UPDATED June 3, 2017: There have been a year’s worth of updates to Power BI since this “5 Ways” post was originally published.