Unique values maps use unique symbols to style distinct categories in your map, so you can see where point, line, and area features are located and what type they are, such as tree species or restaurant types. Unique values maps help you answer questions, such as: Where is it located? How is it distributed?
Unique values maps can handle up to 100 unique categories, applying a unique color to each. Categories exceeding 100 are put into an Others category.
Example
A small retail chain wants to expand throughout the region and is looking at prospective sites for new stores. The marketers know that the dominant demographic group that shops at the store is young people under 30, especially students and recent graduates. A unique values map can be used to symbolize each prospect by the dominant Tapestry Segment in the area where the potential new store site is located.
The above map shows where each prospect is located and uses a unique color to indicate the Tapestry Segment that categorizes each prospect.
Tip:
Group related bar charts or time series charts with the same field you used to style your unique values map. That way, your interactions among the unique values map, bar chart, and line chart will show you simultaneous categorical, temporal, and spatial patterns.
Create a unique values map
To create a unique values map, complete the following steps:
- Expand a dataset in the data pane so that the fields are visible.
- Select a string field
.Tip:
You can search for fields using the search bar in the data pane.
- Drag the field to the page to the Map drop zone.
Note:
You can also create a map by selecting a field and clicking the Map button above the data pane.
A unique values map is created using Types (Unique symbols) as the Symbol type.
Tip:
Drag a different string field from the same dataset onto your map. Your map will update to show a unique values map using the new field.
Usage notes
To access the Layer options pane, click the arrow next to the layer name. You can do the following in the Layer options pane:
- Use the Legend tab
to view the unique values on the map and make selections based on the values. To change the color associated with a value, click the symbol and choose a color from the palette or provide a hexadecimal value. - Use the Symbology tab
to change the field displayed on the map or switch to a different type of map. - Use the Annotation tab
to configure the map pop-ups for the layer and enable labels. - Use the Appearance tab
to do the following:- Symbols—Change the symbol style properties, such as size, outline thickness and color, and layer transparency.
- Layer effects—Enable bloom and drop shadow effects.
- Use the Attributes tab
to view details for features that are selected on the map.
Use the Card filter button 
to remove any unwanted data from the card. Filters can be applied to all string, number, rate/ratio, and date/time fields. A card filter does not affect other cards using the same dataset.
Use the Selection tools button 
to select features on the map using the single select, box select, and lasso tools; zoom to the selection; or invert the selection.
Use the Zoom tools button 
to zoom in or out on the map, zoom to a selection, set the default extent of the map, zoom to a layer, or lock navigation on the map.
Use the Visualization type button 
to switch directly between a unique values map and other visualizations, such as a summary table, donut chart, bubble chart, or line graph.
Use the Sync extents button 
to link the extent of all maps on the page so they zoom and pan simultaneously.
Use the Maximize button 
to enlarge the card. Other cards on the page will be reduced to thumbnails. The card can be returned to its previous size using the Restore down button 
.
Use the Enable cross filters button 
to allow filters to be created on the card using selections on other cards. Cross filters can be removed using the Disable cross filters button 
.
Click the Flip card button 
to turn the map card over. The back of the card includes the count of each category and a text box for a description of the map.
Use the Card options button 
to access the following options:
- Appearance button —Change the background color, foreground color, border of the card, and map rotation, and add or remove the basemap layers and north arrow.
- Order button
—Move the card forward or move the card backward relative to other cards on the page. - Delete button
—Remove the card from the page. If you did not intend to delete the card, you can retrieve it using the Undo button 
.
Resources
Use the following resources to learn more about maps: