Create a time-based map with vector data

CartoVista allows you to join a data table with time-based records and create time-based analyses of your geographical layer.

Create a multiple join

If your data table contains time-based records, with more than one record associated with each geographical feature, you can create a multiple join.

Steps are similar to a simple join, and you just need to define the Time Series Column of your data table first, in the Information tab your data table's Detail Panel:time-series-column

Select the column that contains the date information of your records. Make sure you set your column's type to be date-time.

You can then link your layer to your data table. The Link Data window will indicate the number of records, linked, and the type of join: 1-to-N indicates that a multiple join was detected. one-to-many-join

Define aggregation type

When added to a map, time-based records will be aggregated in some of your map's tools and panels: the Table View, the Data tip, and the Info Tool.

You can define which aggregation method is to be used for each column of your time-based records. View the data of your data table and click on a column to access its properties. Select the appropriate aggregation method:aggregation-type

Available aggregation methods depend on your column's type.

Aggregation methods for integer include the following:

  • Sum
  • Maximum
  • Minimum
  • Average
The aggregation method for string is Count.

Add and view your time-based data in your map

You can now create a map and use your joined dataset in any of the interactivity tools. Simply add your time-based columns as any regular column to any interactivity tool.

  • Data tip: the data tip will show the aggregated values for each feature.
  • Info Tool: the info tool will show the aggregate and individual values. You will be able to iterate through each sub-feature and see the individual data.infotool-one-to-many
  • Tables: the data table will show the aggregated values
In the General tab of the Layer Properties, enable the Date Range Picker if you want your users to be able to filter data based on a certain date and time.show-date-time-picker

The Date Range Picker will be available as a floating window on your map:date-range-picker

In the Viewer Configurations, enable the Time View option if you want your users to get a chart view of your time-based data.enable-time-view

ℹ️   Check out this article to see how you can view the data once the map is published.