Overview

Power BI is a business analysis service offered by Microsoft and comes with an extensive range of data visualization options and business intelligence capabilities. With its simple and intuitive user interface, users of all levels are able to build their own reports and dashboards from one or more datasets. 

Currently, there are five different tools for creating map-based data visualizations on Power BI.

Process

There are five standard map visualization options in Power BI Desktop. Click on the bullet points to find out more information about each tool:



  • Basic Map (powered by Bing)
    • Simple or sliced points
  • Filled Map (powered by Bing)
    • Polygons, requires known location names
  • Shape Map
    • Polygons, possible to use your own TopoJSON file
  • Mapbox
    • Simple points, heatmap, cluster map, cloropleth map (limited geographic locations)


Comparison

The table below brings together the main features, requirements and pros and cons of each map tool. For further information, take a look at the document Summary of the options for map visual in Power BI. 



Basic MapFilled MapShape MapArcGIS MapsMapbox
Visualization typeSimple or sliced pointsFilled polygonsFilled polygonsAll visualizations supported by ArcGIS OnlinePoints, heatmap, cluster map, cloropleth map (for certain locations)
Basemap optionsBingBingNo basemapAnything from the ArcGIS Online collectionStandard or custom basemaps hosted on Mapbox
Data pre-requisitesGPS points or known location namesKnown location namesTopoJSON file of the location in questionPublically available map on ArcGIS OnlineGPS points or known location names
Can be used in any location?YesNoYesYes

Yes (with points)

No (with polygons)

Main advantage(s)Easy to use with GPS-tagged dataEasy to use when dealing with known location namesAllows using your own TopoJSON fileVersatile visualization options provided by ArcGIS Online. Many map control options, such as possibility to control the zoom level.Additional visualizations and possibility to use your own custom basemaps created on Mapbox.
Main disadvantage(s)Supports points only, background maps limited to Bing (not aligned with the UN mapping standards)Not compatible with the majority of OCHA operations countries. Background maps limited to Bing (not aligned with the UN mapping standards)Requires preparation of the TopoJSON file and matching the location names, PCodes or other unique identifiers with those in the other datasets. No background map.Not possible to use in dashboards published or embedded online. No access to private ArcGIS Online content.Polygon display possible for limited locations only (Global level maps, states of the USA). Limited map control options, such as no possibility to control the zoom level.



Outputs/Resources



Guidance