Symbol maps in Tableau - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a Symbol Map in Tableau?

A Symbol Map in Tableau is a type of map visualization that uses symbols (like circles or shapes) to represent data points on a geographic map. The size or color of the symbols can show different values.

beginner

How do you change the size of symbols on a Symbol Map in Tableau?

You drag a measure (numeric field) to the Size shelf. This changes the symbol size based on the values of that measure, making it easy to compare data points visually.

intermediate

Why use Symbol Maps instead of filled maps?

Symbol Maps are better when you want to show exact locations or compare values at specific points. Filled maps color entire areas, which can hide details about individual points.

beginner

What geographic data types can Tableau use for Symbol Maps?

Tableau can use fields like Country, State, City, Postal Code, or Latitude and Longitude coordinates to place symbols accurately on the map.

beginner

How can color be used in Symbol Maps?

Color can be added by dragging a dimension or measure to the Color shelf. This helps show categories or value ranges, making the map easier to understand at a glance.

What does the size of symbols in a Tableau Symbol Map usually represent?

A The date of data entry

B A geographic region

C A text label

D A numeric measure value

Symbol size in Tableau maps is controlled by numeric measures to show differences in values.

Which shelf do you use to add color to symbols on a Symbol Map?

A Size shelf

B Color shelf

C Label shelf

D Detail shelf

The Color shelf controls the color of symbols, helping to categorize or highlight data.

What geographic data can Tableau use to place symbols on a Symbol Map?

A Latitude and Longitude

B Product names

C Customer IDs

D Sales amounts

Latitude and Longitude are geographic coordinates used to place symbols accurately on maps.

Why might you choose a Symbol Map over a Filled Map?

A To color entire regions uniformly

B To display only text labels

C To show exact locations and compare values at points

D To create bar charts

Symbol Maps highlight specific points and their values, unlike Filled Maps which color whole areas.

What happens if you drag a dimension to the Detail shelf in a Symbol Map?

A It adds more symbols for each category

B It changes symbol size

C It changes symbol color

D It removes symbols

Adding a dimension to Detail creates separate symbols for each category or value.

Explain how you create a Symbol Map in Tableau and customize it to show different data values.

Think about how size and color help tell a story on the map.

Describe when it is better to use a Symbol Map instead of a Filled Map in Tableau.

Consider the difference between points and areas on a map.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a symbol map in Tableau?

easy

A. To display data points on a map using shapes or icons

B. To create bar charts with geographic data

C. To show trends over time using lines

D. To summarize data in tables

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand symbol map function

   A symbol map uses shapes or icons to represent data points on a geographic map.

2. Step 2: Compare with other chart types

   Bar charts, line charts, and tables serve different purposes than symbol maps.

3. Final Answer:

   To display data points on a map using shapes or icons -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Symbol maps = data points with icons on maps [OK]

Hint: Symbol maps = points on maps with icons or shapes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing symbol maps with bar or line charts
• Thinking symbol maps summarize data in tables
• Assuming symbol maps show trends over time

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

easy

A. Drag Sales to Rows and Profit to Columns, then set mark type to Bar

B. Drag Latitude to Rows and Longitude to Columns, then set mark type to Shape

C. Drag Date to Columns and Region to Rows, then set mark type to Line

D. Drag Customer Name to Rows and Category to Columns, then set mark type to Text

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct fields for symbol map

   Latitude and Longitude fields are needed to place points on a map.

2. Step 2: Set mark type to Shape

   Symbol maps use shapes or icons, so mark type must be Shape.

3. Final Answer:

   Drag Latitude to Rows and Longitude to Columns, then set mark type to Shape -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Latitude + Longitude + Shape = Symbol map [OK]

Hint: Use Latitude and Longitude with Shape mark type [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-geographic fields for map axes
• Choosing Bar or Line mark types instead of Shape
• Not using Latitude and Longitude for placement

3. Given a symbol map with sales data, what happens if you drag the Sales field to the Size shelf?

medium

A. The color of each symbol changes to represent sales amount

B. The symbols are replaced by bars showing sales

C. The size of each symbol changes to represent sales amount

D. The map switches to a filled map

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Size shelf effect

   Dragging a measure like Sales to Size changes symbol size proportionally.

2. Step 2: Confirm symbol map behavior

   Symbol maps use size to show quantity differences; color changes require Color shelf.

3. Final Answer:

   The size of each symbol changes to represent sales amount -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Sales on Size shelf = symbol size changes [OK]

Hint: Size shelf controls symbol size on maps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Size with Color shelf
• Expecting bars instead of symbols
• Thinking map type changes automatically

4. You created a symbol map but all symbols appear at the same spot. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Latitude and Longitude fields are missing or not assigned correctly

B. The Size shelf is empty

C. The Color shelf has too many colors

D. The data source is filtered by date

Solution

1. Step 1: Check geographic field assignment

   If Latitude and Longitude are missing or not assigned, Tableau places all points at default location.

2. Step 2: Rule out other causes

   Size or Color shelves do not affect symbol placement; filters affect data but not symbol overlap.

3. Final Answer:

   Latitude and Longitude fields are missing or not assigned correctly -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing Lat/Long = symbols overlap [OK]

Hint: Check Latitude and Longitude fields for correct placement [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Blaming Size or Color shelves for placement issues
• Ignoring missing geographic data
• Assuming filters cause symbol overlap

5. You want to create a symbol map showing store locations with symbol size representing sales and symbol color representing profit margin. Which steps should you follow?

hard

A. Place Longitude on Rows, Latitude on Columns, set mark type to Line, drag Sales to Color

B. Place Sales on Rows, Profit Margin on Columns, set mark type to Bar, drag Latitude to Color

C. Place Store Name on Rows, Sales on Columns, set mark type to Text, drag Profit Margin to Size

D. Place Latitude on Rows, Longitude on Columns, set mark type to Shape, drag Sales to Size, drag Profit Margin to Color

Solution

1. Step 1: Assign geographic fields correctly

   Latitude goes on Rows and Longitude on Columns for map placement.

2. Step 2: Set mark type and assign measures

   Set mark type to Shape for symbol map; drag Sales to Size and Profit Margin to Color to encode data visually.

3. Final Answer:

   Place Latitude on Rows, Longitude on Columns, set mark type to Shape, drag Sales to Size, drag Profit Margin to Color -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Lat/Long + Shape + Size + Color = Symbol map with data [OK]

Hint: Use Lat/Long + Shape + Size + Color for detailed symbol maps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping Latitude and Longitude positions
• Using wrong mark types like Bar or Line
• Assigning measures to wrong shelves