What To Know About Excel Power Maps

Excel Power Maps is a nifty Excel feature that has been introduced in the later series of Microsoft Excel. Created as a 3D visualisation tool for data, Excel Power Maps allows users to assess data in different methods unique to that perspective, which can otherwise go unnoticed if relying only on 2D tables/charts. With Excel Power Maps, data representation is made easy by enabling users to plot row after row of data on maps in 3d format, data models or data tables. Users are also able to gain further insight to plotted data through viewing data changes through time stamps, build guided video tours to share with others and more!

Creating Power Maps

One of the most basic functions that all excel users should learn with this tool would be to create their power map accurately. This could be done by ensuring they have all the necessary data required and selecting Insert before choosing Map. This will automatically reveal the Power Maps option. Excel Power Map makes use of Bing to geocode data with reference to the geographic properties. You will notice that a globe appears next to the layer pane (first screen).

Verify data fields and ensure they are mapped correctly to the appropriate geographic property. Once done, select Next so that Excel Power Maps will begin aggregating and projecting data onto the map for visualisation.

Creating Power Map Tours

Excel Power Maps goes a step forward from simple visualisation by also enabling excel users to create visual tours to engage their audience with. Making use of Insert and choosing Map to open up the Power Maps function, one of the options made available would be Launch Power Map. Users can simply select and choose New tour to start a new one. This would enable users to add scenes to the tour. Scenes are essentially display views of the user’s data that highlight map sections, reveal data related to the highlighted zones and more. This is achieved by selecting Home and choosing Add scene. Users can gain access to options for scenes by selecting settings and even choose effects for the scenes.

Playback

Excel Power Maps allows users to playback the tours they have created through the powermap window. Users are able to pause and play or even switch to edit mode easily. In pause mode, users are also able to interact with the 3D elements. This is ideal for presentations since it serves as a major plus point to visually engage clients or colleagues.

Apart from these capabilities, users are also capable of exporting their created tours in video format using Excel Power Maps. This tool has served as a major aid to data visualisation, bringing convenience and ease of use to users. It is no wonder that to this day, it remains one of Excel’s most popular and well received functions.