Define a Geography Data Item

About Geography Data Items

A geography data item is a category whose values are mapped to geographical locations or regions. Geography data items can be used with geo map visualizationsto visualize your data on a geographic map.
For example, if your data source contains a CountryName column that identifies countries, then you might create a geography data item for CountryName by using the predefined geographic role, Countries. See Define a Geography Data Item By Using a Predefined Role.
You might also create a customized geography data item to identify geographic information that is specific to your organization (for example, sales regions, warehouse locations, oil platforms, and so on). See Define a Geography with a Custom Role.

Define a Geography Data Item By Using a Predefined Role

To define a geography data item by using a predefined geographic role:
  1. In the data pane or in the Data Properties window, locate a category that contains geographic information.
  2. Change the data role for the category to Geography. The Geography Role window appears.
  3. Select the predefined geographic role for your category:
    Countries
    specifies country names.
    US States
    specifies the names of states and territories in the United States.
    US States Abbreviated
    specifies the two-letter postal codes for states and territories in the United States.
    US ZIP Codes
    specifies five-digit ZIP codes for the United States.
  4. Click OK to apply your changes.

Define a Geography with a Custom Role

To define a geography data item by using a custom geographic role:
  1. In the data pane or in the Data Properties window, locate a category that contains geographic information.
  2. Change the data role for the category to Geography. The Geography Role window appears.
  3. Select Custom, and then specify the following:
    Latitude
    specifies a measure from your current data source that contains the latitude (Y) coordinate values for the geographic role that you want to define.
    Longitude
    specifies a measure from your current data source that contains the longitude (X) coordinate values for the geographic role that you want to define.
    Coordinate Space
    specifies the coordinate space (coordinate system) that is used to project the longitude and latitude coordinates.
  4. Click OK to apply your changes.
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