Create and use a binned map

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Binned maps provide a quick representation of how your data is distributed. Features contained in each bin are summarized using a statistic type, such as sum or average. This map visualization is helpful for datasets with a large number of points or densely located points.

Example

A municipal water service and operations center is preparing for an extensive upgrade to its fleet and automated equipment. The initiative will require three years to complete and will require prioritizing regions with the highest demand. An analyst can visualize service requests using bins to quickly determine where more requests or greater water loss is occurring.

Binned map showing the relative number of service requests across the municipality

Deep purple areas in the above map indicate more service requests, while lighter yellow areas indicate fewer service requests.

Create a binned map

To create a binned map, complete the following steps:

  1. Drag a point dataset to the page and onto the Map drop zone.
    Note:

    You can also create a map by selecting a field and clicking the Map button above the data pane.

  2. Expand the legend to display the Layer options pane.
  3. Browse to the Symbology tab Symbology.
  4. Change Symbol type to Bins.

Usage notes

The Layer options pane is accessible by clicking the arrow next to the layer name and includes the following configuration options:

  • Use the Legend tab Legend to view the classification values and counts for each class, and to make selections based on classes.
  • Use the Symbology tab Symbology to do the following:
    • Change the field and statistic displayed on the map or switch to a different type of map.
    • Set the size of the bins by adjusting the Resolution value. The default resolution is 50.
    • Specify the Transition value setting. If the number of point features in the map extent is less than the transition value, the map will display the point features. If the number of points in the map extent is greater than or equal to the transition value, the map will be styled with bins. The default Transition value is 2,000.
  • Use the Annotation tab Annotation to configure the map pop-ups for the layer.
  • Use the Appearance tab Appearance to do the following:
    • Symbols—Change the symbol style properties, such as the color palette, outline thickness and color, and layer transparency.
    • Layer effects—Enable bloom and drop shadow effects.
  • Use the Attributes tab Attributes to view details for features that are selected on the map.

Use the Card filter button Card filter to remove any unwanted data from your 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 Selection tools 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 Zoom tools 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 Visualization type to switch directly between a binned map and other visualizations, such as a reference table, bar chart, or line graph.

Use the Sync extents button Sync extents to link the extent of all maps on the page so they zoom and pan simultaneously.

Use the Maximize button Maximize 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 Restore down.

Use the Enable cross filters button Enable cross filters 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 Disable cross filters.

Use the Flip card button Flip card to view the back of the card. The Card info tab Card info includes a count of features and a text box for a description of the card.

Use the Card options button Card options to access the following menu options:

  • Appearance button Appearance—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 Order—Move the card forward or send the card backward relative to other cards on the page.
  • Delete button Delete—Remove the card from the page. If you did not intend to delete the card, you can retrieve it using the Undo button Undo.

Limitations

Binned maps are not available for certain remote feature layers. If a remote feature layer does not support binned maps, you can copy the layer to your workbook and create a binned map using the copy.

Zoom tools and selection tools are not available for binned maps with over 100,000 features on published reports.

Resources

Use the following resources to learn more about maps: