You can create categorical maps to quickly differentiate between groups of customers. Themes are produced to shade your customer points or geographies based on a category within your customer file.
Inputs required:
- An imported customer file
- Note, following the steps for using point-level data requires a customer file that was imported using postal or ZIP codes. To map summary-level data, the customer file must be imported using geographic codes.
- An area
You can choose to map your customers through one of the following options:
Categorical Mapping of Imported Point-level Data
Categorical Mapping of Summary-level Data
Categorical Mapping of Imported Point-level Data
1. Before mapping your customers, it is important to indicate your data type. During the import process, ensure that your data type is set to Categorical.
2. Click Next Step and continue until the import process is complete.
3. In the side panel, click Mapping.
Please wait for the mapping interface to load before proceeding.
4. Navigate to the ribbon on the top-left corner and select the Add Layer drop-down.
5. Hover over Customer and select Coordinates.
6. Select your customer file.
7. Select the Content tab.
8. Select the default red dot icon next to the name of your customer file from the list of layers.
9. Change the Style Column from Record Count to Member Type.
10. Change the Renderer Type from Simple to Categories.
11. You can customize the Colour Gradient, Outline Width, Outline Colour and Symbol Size.
12. Once you have made your stylistic edits, click Update Style.
The map will be drawn, shading your selected customers by category.
13. Navigate to the Save Map tab and add a Title and Description. Once complete, click Save. All saved maps are accessible through the Open Map tab.
14. You can export your map using the Print tab, which also provides further customization options.
Categorical Mapping of Summary-Level Data
Note: These steps pertain to categorical data that were uploaded using geographic codes. The entire geographic code needs to be contained in a single field, with the leading zero included (where applicable). Also, the codes need to be unique. If you include the same code multiple times, the data will not be aggregated automatically.
1. Before mapping your customers, it is important to indicate your data type. During the import process, ensure that your data type is set to Categorical.
2. Click Next Step and continue until the import process is complete.
3. In the side panel, click Mapping.
Please wait for the mapping interface to load before proceeding.
4. Navigate to the ribbon on the top-left corner and select the Add Layer drop-down.
5. Hover over Customer and select Standard Geography or My Trade Areas.
6. In Step 1 - Variables, Select a Data Source in the drop-down.
7. Select the categorical data column you imported in with the file.
8. Click Next.
9. In Step 2 - Area(s), select an Area of interest. Alternatively, you can search for a specific area using the search bar, or select one of your licensed areas by clicking the System Areas tab.
Note: If you are building your map using Trade Areas, ensure that you select at least three areas for your map.
10. Once you have made your selection, click Next.
11. In Step 3 - Settings, select the Map Type and Geography Level.
i. Map Type is selected because the thematic map is based on a chosen category.
ii. Geography Level is determined by the file imported in.
12. Click Next.
13. In Step 4 - Style, you can customize the Colour Gradient, Outline Width, and Outline Colour.
14. Once you have made your stylistic edits, click Create Layer.
The map will be drawn, shading your selected geographies by category.
15. Navigate to the Save Map tab and add a Title and Description. Once complete, click Save. All saved maps are accessible through the Open Map tab.
16. You can export your map using the Print tab, which also provides further customization options.
For more information about mapping functionalities, please see The Mapping Toolbar and the Mapping Glossary.