How to create a Buffer Zoom in a Tableau Map

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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