Filled maps (choropleth) in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Filled maps show areas colored by data values, helping you see patterns across regions. They solve the problem of understanding geographic data quickly by coloring regions based on numbers like sales or population.

When you want to show sales amounts by state or country on a map.

When you need to compare population density across different regions.

When your dashboard should highlight areas with high or low values using colors.

When you want to visualize election results by coloring states or counties.

When you want to spot regional trends in customer data visually.

Steps

Step 1: Connect to your data source

- Tableau start page

Your data appears in the Data pane on the left

Step 2: Drag a geographic field (like State or Country) to the Rows shelf

- Data pane and Rows shelf

Tableau creates a map view with marks for each region

Step 3: Drag a measure (like Sales) to the Color shelf on the Marks card

- Data pane and Marks card

Regions on the map fill with colors representing the measure values

Step 4: Click the Marks card dropdown and select 'Map' or 'Filled Map'

- Marks card

The map changes to a filled map where regions are colored areas, not points

Step 5: Adjust color by clicking Color on the Marks card and selecting Edit Colors

- Marks card > Color

You can choose a color palette that fits your data story

Step 6: Add labels by dragging the geographic field to Label on the Marks card

- Data pane and Marks card

Region names appear on the map for easier reading

Before vs After

Before

Map shows points or symbols for each region without color fill

After

Map shows regions filled with colors representing measure values, making patterns clear

Settings Reference

Marks type

📍 Marks card dropdown

Choose how data points appear on the map, 'Filled Map' colors regions

Default: Automatic

Color palette

📍 Marks card > Color > Edit Colors

Control the colors used to represent data values on the map

Default: Tableau default sequential palette

Map layers

📍 Map menu > Map Layers

Customize map background and details for better clarity

Default: Borders and Names on

Common Mistakes

Using a geographic field that Tableau does not recognize

Tableau cannot plot the map correctly without recognized geographic roles

Assign the correct geographic role to the field by right-clicking it and selecting 'Geographic Role'

Dragging a dimension to Color instead of a measure

Colors will not represent numeric values, so the map won't show meaningful gradients

Always drag a numeric measure to Color to create a choropleth effect

Summary

Filled maps color geographic areas based on data values to show patterns clearly.

Use geographic fields on Rows or Columns and measures on Color to create filled maps.

Make sure your geographic fields have correct roles and use measures for coloring.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a filled map (choropleth) in Tableau?

easy

A. To color geographic areas based on data values

B. To display detailed street-level maps

C. To show individual data points as dots

D. To create 3D maps with elevation

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand filled map concept

   A filled map colors entire geographic areas (like states or countries) based on data values.

2. Step 2: Compare with other map types

   Unlike dot maps or 3D maps, filled maps focus on coloring regions, not points or elevation.

3. Final Answer:

   To color geographic areas based on data values -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Filled maps = color areas by data [OK]

Hint: Remember: filled maps color regions, not points or lines [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing filled maps with point maps
• Thinking filled maps show street details
• Assuming filled maps create 3D effects

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a filled map in Tableau?

easy

A. Drag a geographic field to Filters and a measure to Size

B. Drag a measure to Rows and a geographic field to Tooltip

C. Drag a geographic field to Rows and a measure to Color on the Marks card

D. Drag a measure to Columns and a geographic field to Detail

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to build filled maps

   In Tableau, dragging a geographic field (like State) to Rows or Columns creates the map base.

2. Step 2: Add color by measure

   Placing a measure on Color in the Marks card colors the geographic areas based on data values.

3. Final Answer:

   Drag a geographic field to Rows and a measure to Color on the Marks card -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Geo field + Color measure = filled map [OK]

Hint: Put geography on Rows/Columns and measure on Color [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting geographic fields in Tooltip instead of Rows/Columns
• Using Size instead of Color for data values
• Not dragging any measure to Color

3. Given a filled map showing sales by state, what will happen if you drag the Sales measure to the Color shelf and set the aggregation to SUM?

medium

A. Each state will be colored based on total sales in that state

B. The map will show individual sales transactions as dots

C. The map will display sales as labels on each state

D. The map will become blank because SUM is invalid here

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand SUM aggregation on measure

   SUM aggregates all sales values per state, giving total sales per state.

2. Step 2: Effect on filled map coloring

   Coloring by SUM(Sales) colors each state area based on its total sales amount.

3. Final Answer:

   Each state will be colored based on total sales in that state -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   SUM(Sales) colors states by total sales [OK]

Hint: SUM on measure colors areas by total values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking dots appear instead of colored areas
• Expecting labels instead of colors
• Assuming SUM aggregation causes errors

4. You created a filled map but the colors do not change when you drag your measure to Color. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The measure is not numeric

B. The map type is set to Symbol Map instead of Filled Map

C. You forgot to add the geographic field to Detail or Rows/Columns

D. The geographic field is not recognized correctly

Solution

1. Step 1: Check map type setting

   If the map type is Symbol Map, colors apply to points, not areas, so filled colors won't appear.

2. Step 2: Confirm filled map selection

   Switching to Filled Map enables coloring of geographic areas by measure values.

3. Final Answer:

   The map type is set to Symbol Map instead of Filled Map -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Symbol Map ≠ filled colors; choose Filled Map [OK]

Hint: Check map type: must be Filled Map for area colors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming measure type causes no color change
• Not verifying map type in Marks card
• Ignoring geographic field placement

5. You want to create a filled map showing population density by US state, but your data only has total population and land area separately. How should you prepare your data in Tableau to color states by population density?

hard

A. Use total population as Color and filter states by land area

B. Drag total population to Color and land area to Size

C. Create a parameter for land area and use it to filter states

D. Create a calculated field dividing total population by land area, then drag it to Color

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate population density

   Create a calculated field: Population Density = Total Population / Land Area.

2. Step 2: Use calculated field for coloring

   Drag this new field to Color on the Marks card to color states by density.

3. Final Answer:

   Create a calculated field dividing total population by land area, then drag it to Color -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Calculated field = density, use on Color [OK]

Hint: Calculate density first, then color map by it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using raw population without area for color
• Using Size for land area instead of calculation
• Filtering states instead of calculating density