Geo charts and maps in Google Sheets - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Geo charts and maps

Goal

Show sales performance by country on a map to quickly see which countries have higher or lower sales.

Sample Data

Country	Sales
United States	1500
Canada	800
Brazil	600
United Kingdom	1200
Germany	1100
India	900
Australia	700

Dashboard Components

• Total Sales (KPI Card): Shows total sales across all countries.
  Formula: =SUM(B2:B8)
  Result: 6800
• Average Sales per Country (KPI Card): Shows average sales.
  Formula: =AVERAGE(B2:B8)
  Result: 971.43
• Geo Chart: Displays sales by country on a world map.
  Data range: A1:B8
  Chart type: Geo chart (Insert > Chart > Chart type: Geo chart)
  Shows countries colored by sales amount, darker color means higher sales.
• Sales Table: Shows the raw data for reference.
  Range: A1:B8

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
| Total Sales: 6800    | Average Sales: 971.43|
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Geo Chart               |
|                                              |
|                                              |
+----------------------------------------------+
|               Sales Data Table                |
+----------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Add a filter dropdown for Country. When you select a country, the Geo Chart, Total Sales, Average Sales, and Sales Table update to show data only for that country.

This helps focus on one country's sales performance quickly.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Country = Germany, which components update?

• Total Sales shows 1100
• Average Sales shows 1100
• Geo Chart highlights Germany only
• Sales Table shows only the Germany row

Key Result

A dashboard showing total and average sales by country with a Geo Chart map and data table.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a Geo chart in Google Sheets?

easy

A. To calculate sums of numbers

B. To create pie charts from numerical data

C. To sort data alphabetically

D. To display data on a map based on location

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Geo chart function

   A Geo chart visually shows data on a map using location information.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only To display data on a map based on location describes showing data on a map; others describe unrelated chart types or functions.

3. Final Answer:

   To display data on a map based on location -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Geo chart = map display [OK]

Hint: Geo charts always show data geographically on maps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Geo charts with pie or bar charts
• Thinking Geo charts sort data instead of mapping it

2. Which of the following is the correct way to insert a Geo chart in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Select data, then Insert > Chart, and choose Geo chart type

B. Type =GEOCHART() in a cell

C. Use Format > Geo chart

D. Right-click a cell and select Geo chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Geo chart insertion method

   Geo charts are inserted via the menu: Insert > Chart, then select Geo chart type.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   Only Select data, then Insert > Chart, and choose Geo chart type correctly describes this process; others mention invalid methods or functions.

3. Final Answer:

   Select data, then Insert > Chart, and choose Geo chart type -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Insert > Chart > Geo chart = correct method [OK]

Hint: Use Insert menu to add Geo charts, not formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to use a formula to create Geo charts
• Looking for Geo chart in Format menu

3. Given this data in columns A and B:
A1: Country
A2: USA
A3: Canada
B1: Sales
B2: 100
B3: 50
What will a Geo chart show when created from this data?

medium

A. A blank chart because data is incomplete

B. A bar chart comparing sales numbers

C. A map highlighting USA and Canada with sales values

D. A pie chart showing sales percentages

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand data structure

   Column A has country names, column B has sales numbers, suitable for Geo chart mapping.

2. Step 2: Predict Geo chart output

   The Geo chart will highlight USA and Canada on the map with sales values shown by color or size.

3. Final Answer:

   A map highlighting USA and Canada with sales values -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Country + number = Geo chart map [OK]

Hint: Geo charts need location names plus numbers to show data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting bar or pie charts from Geo chart data
• Thinking Geo charts require more columns

4. You created a Geo chart but it shows no countries highlighted. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Data contains only numbers without locations

B. Location names are misspelled or unclear

C. Chart type is set to Bar chart

D. Sheet is protected and cannot display charts

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify common Geo chart issues

   Geo charts rely on correct location names; misspellings cause no highlights.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Chart type mismatch or missing locations also cause issues, but misspelled names are most common.

3. Final Answer:

   Location names are misspelled or unclear -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct location names = visible Geo chart [OK]

Hint: Check spelling of locations if Geo chart is blank [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring location name spelling errors
• Assuming chart type is always correct

5. You want to create a Geo chart showing sales by US states. Your data has state abbreviations (e.g., CA, TX) in column A and sales numbers in column B. What should you do to ensure the Geo chart displays correctly?

hard

A. Replace state abbreviations with full state names

B. Add a column with country names next to states

C. Use only numbers without state names

D. Change chart type to Pie chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Geo chart location requirements

   Geo charts often require full location names for accurate mapping, as abbreviations may not be recognized.

2. Step 2: Choose best data format

   Replacing abbreviations with full state names ensures the Geo chart can identify and highlight states correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   Replace state abbreviations with full state names -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Full names improve Geo chart accuracy [OK]

Hint: Use full location names, not abbreviations, for Geo charts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using abbreviations that Geo chart can't recognize
• Adding unrelated columns instead of fixing names