How to create a Buffer Zoom in a Tableau Map

Buffer Zoom

This is a custom way to zoom in on your data using geospatial data and Tableau’s geospatial functions together with actions and parameters. Learn how to create a buffer zoom in a Tableau Map. 

Here are the written steps:

Step 1: Connect to data

In Tableau Desktop, connect to your spatial data, it needs to have latitude and longitude, in our case, it is AirBnB Listings in NYC.

Step 2: Create the visualization

Create a calculated field called AirBnB Location using the following formula: MAKEPOINT([Latitude],[Longitude]).

Drag AirBnB Location into the Tableau canvas.

Change Mark Type to Circle and add ID to Detail.

Change Color to your liking.

Create a Parameter called Buffer in meters as a float and add 50 to the Current value.

Create a calculated field called AirBnB Buffer using the following formula: BUFFER([AirBnB Location],[Buffer in meters],’m’)

Drag AirBnB Buffer to the canvas and add it as another Layer in the visualization

Change Color to your liking.

Add ID to Detail.

Right click Buffer in meters and select Show Parameter.

Navigate to Worksheet, Actions, Add Action and select Filter.

Under Run Action on select Select, under Clearing, the selection will select Show All Values.

An article by Alexandru Stăncescu – Delivery Manager @btProvider.

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