Learn how to create hex maps for displaying data values using hexagonal tiles over geographic areas.
Hex Maps (also known as hexagon maps or hexagonal cartograms) display data values using hexagonal tiles, where each hexagon represents a specific geographic area. This approach provides a more uniform spatial representation compared to traditional geographic boundaries, making it easier to compare values across regions.
Hex maps are particularly effective for electoral data, demographic visualization, and any scenario where you want to give equal visual weight to different geographic units. The hexagonal tessellation eliminates the visual bias that can occur when geographic areas of vastly different sizes are displayed together.
After inserting a map, navigate to the Map tab in the right panel. In the Setup section, you can assign basic properties to the map, which are detailed on the Maps overview page. Next, open the Map Type section and click on Hex Map.
In the Basemap section under the Map tab, you can select an underlying basemap for your map element. For hex maps, the basemap defines the regions that will be represented as hexagonal tiles.
If you are on the Pro plan, you can upload your own files (in GeoJSON format) to use as basemaps, by clicking New Basemap, then Upload Basemap.
In the Dataset section, you can select the dataset for your map element, which contains the data that you wish to display on the map. Your dataset should include fields that correspond to the regions defined in your basemap.
If you are on the Pro plan, you can upload your own files (in csv format) to use as datasets, by clicking New Dataset and then Upload Dataset.
For hex maps, join fields are essential as they connect the data in your dataset to the geographic regions represented by hexagons. Select the field in your dataset that corresponds to the region identifiers in your basemap.
You can establish connections to filter elements under the Map tab, in the Connections section, by making a selection under Filter.
Filter elements allow users to dynamically control which data is displayed on the hex map based on their selections.
In the Colors section under the Map tab, you can assign a Color Field from the selected dataset. For hex maps, colors typically represent the data values, with different colors or color intensities corresponding to different value ranges.
You can configure:
In the Hexagons section, you can configure the appearance of the hexagonal tiles:
In the Annotations section under the Map tab, you can add text labels or symbols to provide additional context for your hex map. Labels can be positioned at the center of hexagons or at custom locations.
Tooltips on hex maps can be enabled by selecting the Map tab, navigating to the Tooltip section, and selecting Display Tooltip. These will display the data values and region information when users hover over hexagonal tiles.