Getting Started with 3D Maps in Excel
This 3D Maps in Excel tutorial is suitable for users of Excel 2016/2019 and Microsoft 365.
Objective
Create a forecast to analyze and predict future sales and display the historical and predicted values in a line chart.
3D Maps Explained
3D Maps in Excel is a data-visualization tool available in Excel 2016 and 2019. Excel 2013 users can also use 3D Maps, but it is available as an add-in called Power Maps. If you are using Excel 2013, you will need to jump into Options > Add-Ins and enable Power Maps.
Three-dimensional Maps helps you visualize data in a different way and discover insights you might not see in traditional two-dimensional tables and charts.
3D Maps analyze geographical data. For example, if you are trying to analyze and compare the population of countries around the world. Or maybe analyze crime stats for different towns or states.
With 3D maps you can plot geographic and temporal data on a globe or custom map. You can show the data changing over time, build engaging, cinematic visual tours and importantly, any map you create can be shared with other people.
NOTE: 3D Maps use Microsoft Bing Maps to compile the map, so you will need to make sure you have an active internet connection.
Video Tutorial
Method
In this example, I am using sample data available from Microsoft that shows Power Stations in each state of the US and the type of energy they provide.
If you would like to use the same data, you can download it here. Scroll to the bottom of the page for links.
Create a 3D Map
Your data must contain geographical information to create a 3D Map in Excel. For example, rows or columns that have names of cities, towns, postcodes/zip codes, states, countries, regions, etc.
- Open the workbook that contains the data you want to analyze
My data is in a table, but you do not need to format the data as a table for 3D Maps to work. Note that my data contains geographical information, ‘State’ in column A, and ‘County’ in column B.
- Click in any cell in the data
- Click the Insert tab
- From the Tours group, click 3D Map
The Launch 3D Maps box will display with some recommended tours. These act as a template from which to start and are suggestions by Excel based on your data. This functionality is similar in many ways to Recommended PivotTables and Pivot Charts. In this example, I am going to create a new tour from scratch.
- Click New Tour
3D Maps uses Bing to geocode your data based on the geographical information contained in your dataset. My data relates to Power Stations across the US, and so I have a globe, representing that data.
Much like a PivotTable, I have a floating panel titled Field List. This panel contains all the column headings from my dataset.
On the right-hand side, I have a Layer Pane. This pane is where I can add fields to visualize and analyze my data in different ways. Verify that the fields are mapped correctly in the Location area, i.e., ‘County’ is mapped to ‘County,’ ‘State’ is mapped to ‘State.’
Currently, my map is showing a blue dot in every location where there is a Power Station.
I can refine this by adding fields from the Field List to the Height, Category and Time areas in the Layer Pane.
- Drag the Capacity (Megawatts) field from the Field List and drop it in the Height area of the Layer Pane
Excel will re-adjust the visualization and add a legend. If you do not want the legend at this stage, you can select it and press the Delete key.
- Drag the State field from the Field List and drop it on the Category area in the Layer Pane.
Each state is now represented in a different color.
Customizing your 3D Map
There are many tools and utilities available in Excel to customize your 3D Map.
Turning the Legend off and on
I might decide at this stage that I want to turn the Legend back on. The Home ribbon contains all the commands available for making changes to your 3D Map.
- From the Insert group, click Legend
The legend can be resized by dragging the resize handles in or out.
Currently, the legend is named ‘Layer 1’. You will probably want to rename this to make it more meaningful. To rename the layer, click the Edit button next to the layer name in the Layer Pane and type a new name.
Navigating the 3D Map
Find Location
You can zoom in on a location of interest using the Find Location button. Simply type in the place name and click Find. Remember, the place name must exist in the dataset.
Moving around the 3D Map
Click and drag with your mouse to move the map around. You can utilize the zoom buttons to zoom or out on a location. In this example, I am interested in looking a little closer at the Power Stations located in California.
Creating a Tour
You can utilize 3D Maps to create an engaging Tour. A tour is like a video in many ways. Each tour contains scenes, and each scene can display a different view or aspect of the map. Excel will transition smoothly between the scenes making an interactive and engaging tour. These transitions help illustrate the story of your data.
In this example, my first scene in my tour shows an overview of all Power Stations in each state. My second scene zooms in on California. My third scene zooms in on Colorado. My fourth scene zooms out to show all states and switches to a ‘Flat Map’ view.
To make changes to a scene, select the scene and click the Scene Options button.
You can change the look and feel of a scene by selecting the Themes option.
You can add Text Boxes to a scene to label maps or provide additional information by clicking the Text Box option.
Playing and Sharing a Tour
Once you have finished editing your tour, you can choose to play it, or you can share it with others.
- To Play, select Play Tour
- To Share, select Create Video
Whilst this is enough to get your started with 3D Maps, there are so many options and different ways to customize and analyze your data using maps. You can find out more information by checking out the following links:
Wall Street Mojo – 3D Maps in Excel
Excel Esquire – Amazing 3D Map Charts in Excel 2016
For more Free Excel tutorials from Simon Sez IT. Take a look at our Excel Resource Center.
Other Excel classes you might like:
- Protecting WorkBooks in Excel
- Logical Functions in Excel
- Designing Better Spreadsheets in Excel
- Introduction to Power Pivot & Power Query in Excel
To learn Excel with Simon Sez IT. Take a look at the Excel courses we have available.
