Join layer

Note:

Some workflows may require specific privileges. For more information about user types, roles, and privileges, see the Accounts topic.

The Join layer feature in ArcGIS for Power BI adds spatial dimension to your data. Use this feature to create a link between attributes in your data and a layer added from ArcGIS. The joined layer can then be connected to other Microsoft Power BI visualizations. See Layers, Data layers, and ArcGIS layers to learn more about these layer types.

Tip:

Ensure that the ArcGIS layer contains attributes that can be aligned with attributes in your Power BI dataset. The attribute name does not need to be identical, but the more closely aligned the data type, the more likely it is that ArcGIS for Power BI can match the attributes to the same spatial location. Best results match numbers to numbers, strings to strings, and so on.

Joined layers are particularly useful to improve spatial accuracy. For example, if you have a Power BI dataset that contains detailed information about your company's inventory and general store locations, you can associate your dataset with an ArcGIS layer that contains geographic features to improve each store's spatial information.

Tip:

To learn more about joining layers, see this ArcGIS Blog article about joined layers.

All supported environments can be used with the Join layer feature. See the Accounts topic for information about available guidelines for license levels.

Guest users can use the Join layer function if the layer added from ArcGIS is a publicly available feature layer; if the joined layer contains a private layer, a blocking page will appear.

To join attributes from your dataset to an ArcGIS layer, complete the following steps:

1. Add a data layer to an ArcGIS for Power BI map that includes other Power BI report visualizations and save the report.

   Tip:

   Although adding a data layer is not required, this workflow adheres to typical best practices.

2. With the ArcGIS for Power BI visual active in Power BI, drag up to five attributes from the Data pane to the Join layer field well on the Visualizations > Build visual tab.

   

   A message appears indicating that you can now create a connection between ArcGIS and your data.

   

3. Click Go to Join layer to open the Analysis map tool at the Join layer tab , where you will edit the joined layer.

   Typically, when you add new data to the Join layer field well, there are no feature layers from ArcGIS on the map.

   

   Note:

   If your map already contains a layer from ArcGIS, ensure that it is a feature layer that can be added to your data. See Tips to improve join layer accuracy for more information.

4. Click the Target layer drop-down menu and click Search ArcGIS.
5. Search for and add a feature layer from ArcGIS. This workflow is similar to Add a layer from ArcGIS.

   Caution:

   Although the workflow is similar, do not exit the Join layer tab.

   Tip:

   You can only add feature layers from ArcGIS—other types of layers cannot be joined to your Power BI data.

   Ensure that the layer from ArcGIS contains attributes that can be matched to those in your Power BI dataset.

6. Check the check box next to a feature layer to select it.
7. In the Select fields section of the Join layer tab, do the following:
   1. Select the Power BI data to match to data from the ArcGIS feature layer.
   2. Select a data attribute from the added ArcGIS Feature layer to match to the selected Power BI data.

      

   3. Optionally, if you added more than one attribute to the Join layer field well, click Add fields to add and match up to five attributes.

      The Estimated match accuracy bar dynamically calculates how closely your selected data values align, from No match on the left to Best match on the right.

      Note:

      Take note of the following information:

      • You must select at least one attribute to create a join.
      • Joined attributes must be of the same data type; for example, associate a location value with another location value.

8. In the Result layer section of the Join layer tab, optionally do any of the following:
   1. Select a Join operation option from the drop-down menu:

      • Select first row only—This is the default operation. It selects only the first of multiple matching Power BI records per feature layer record. This operation includes most fields from your data.
      • Aggregate—Selects and aggregates (combines) all Power BI records. Some statistical data types are not supported.

   2. Select any Fields to append to the joined layer from the drop-down menu.

      These fields are added to the Feature information pane and are available to use when changing the style settings for the joined layer.

   3. Select an Interaction behavior option from the drop-down menu:

      • Filter—This is the default operation. It filters the data that meets your criteria, hiding the rest of the dataset.
      • Highlight—Highlights selected data points without excluding the rest of the dataset.

      

   4. Optionally, enter a new name for the Result layer name parameter.
9. Click Create join.

   A new joined layer is created and saved to your map. The layer appears in your Layers list and the Join layer tab updates.

   Tip:

   • You can quickly start a Join layer workflow from an active layer in the Layers list. Click More options > Join layer to open the Analysis map tool at the Join layer tab. The active layer will automatically be added to the workflow.
   • Joined layers are identifiable by the Join layer symbol shown next to the layer name in panes and menus.

   

   You can now click the Information button in the Join operation field to see a summary of the join layer results:

   

10. Click Close in the Analysis pane and optionally do any of the following:
    • Use the Selection tools to select locations on the joined layer from ArcGIS.
    • Add a Buffer/Drive time to the joined layer.
    • View the joined layer on the Layer legend.
    • Style the joined layer and save it.
11. To update a joined layer, do the following:
    1. Change one or more of your selections in the Select fields and Result layer sections of the Join layer tab.
    2. Click Update.

    The joined layer is updated with the new values.

12. To remove and re-create a joined layer, do the following:
    1. Click Remove join on the Join layer tab.
    2. Change the selections in the Select fields and Result layer sections of the Join layer tab.
    3. Click Create join to create a joined layer.

    The joined layer is updated with the new values.

    Note:

    Once created, you cannot change the Result layer name on the Join layer tab.

Tips to improve Join layer accuracy

Use the following suggestions to improve your joined layer match accuracy:

• Only feature layers can be used for the Join layer function. Layers other than feature layers are automatically filtered out and you are unable to see or select them on the Join layer tab when searching for a layer to add from ArcGIS.
• After a feature layer is selected and a join is attempted, if the layer does not contain a geometry (spatial component), the layer cannot be joined to your data and the attempt will not succeed.
• After a feature layer is selected for use and the join is attempted, records in the feature layer that do not have geometry will be filtered out. Attributes that have spatial components that match the key fields of the joined layer are available to select.
• You can include categorical, date, spatial, and numeric data in the Join layer field well:
  • Numeric data is supported when it is either non-statistical (select the Don't summarize aggregation function) or when it is assigned the following aggregation functions: Sum, Minimum, Maximum, and Count.
  • Numeric data assigned the following aggregation functions are not currently supported: Average, Count (Distinct), Standard deviation, Variance, and Median.