This space offers a variety of blogs, all written by Qlik employees. Product and non product related.
Product Innovation
By reading the Product Innovation blog, you will learn about what's new across all of the products in our growing Qlik product portfolio.
Support Updates
The Support Updates blog delivers important and useful Qlik Support information about end-of-product support, new service releases, and general support topics.
Qlik Academic Program
This blog was created for professors and students using Qlik within academia.
Community News
Hear it from your Community Managers! The Community News blog provides updates about the Qlik Community Platform and other news and important announcements.
Qlik Digest
The Qlik Digest is your essential monthly low-down of the need-to-know product updates, events, and resources from Qlik.
Qlik Education
The Qlik Education blog provides information about the latest updates of our courses and programs with the Qlik Education team.
Recent Blog Posts
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Qlik Sense August 2023 (Client-Managed) now available!
We are happy to announce the next version of our client-managed analytics offering, Qlik Sense August 2023. This version is primarily focused on visualization improvements including a variety of new customization and styling options, and enhancements to navigation and design. Users will also appreciate new support of parquet files, providing storage savings and enhanced performance for large data sets. In this release, you will find the fol... Show MoreWe are happy to announce the next version of our client-managed analytics offering, Qlik Sense August 2023. This version is primarily focused on visualization improvements including a variety of new customization and styling options, and enhancements to navigation and design. Users will also appreciate new support of parquet files, providing storage savings and enhanced performance for large data sets.
In this release, you will find the following new capabilities, many of which are already available in Qlik Cloud today:
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Working with the Qlik REST Connector, Pagination and Multiple JSON Schemas
Recently, I worked with a Qlik Community member to help them understand the Qlik REST Connector with Qlik Sense and QlikView. At first it appeared simple, but then he soon realized he needed to understand a bit more about how the data came back (the response), what the pagination settings were (pages of data used to retrieve more rows) and finally how to link (join, associate) other attributes that came back from the results of multiple REST API ... Show More
Recently, I worked with a Qlik Community member to help them understand the Qlik REST Connector with Qlik Sense and QlikView. At first it appeared simple, but then he soon realized he needed to understand a bit more about how the data came back (the response), what the pagination settings were (pages of data used to retrieve more rows) and finally how to link (join, associate) other attributes that came back from the results of multiple REST API endpoints / resources. We got it all working and the results were pleasing. Needless to say were able to perform text analytics from a barrage of Facebook comments. However, as I finalized all this in my head, I wanted to share what I've learned but in the simplest way possible. So I decided to find a very simple, publicly available RESTful service API in which I can demonstrate my findings easily. The below video presents those findings in a educational and entertaining way using the Star Wars API. Yes, that is correct, I said the Star Wars API. As a bonus, stick to the end of the video to see the Media Box Extension in action.See this video on YouTube as well. Using the Qlik REST Connector - Pagination and Multiple JSON Schemas - YouTube
Do you know of other simple and fun, publicly available RESTful services? Share them with the Qlik Community in the comments below.
Regards,
Michael Tarallo (@mtarallo) | Twitter
Qlik
Special shout out to: Paul Hallett (@phalt_) | Twitter - for creating an awesome resource http://swapi.co/about that allowed me to easily demonstrate the Qlik Sense REST Connector.
Resources used in this video:
- Qlik Sense Desktop: Free Data Visualization Tool | Qlik Sense Desktop
- https://www.swapi.co/ - Star Wars Rest API
- Endpoint People:
http://swapi.co/api/people/ - Endpoint Species:
http://swapi.co/api/species/ - Qlik Branch - Media Box Extension
- Star Wars REST API - Qlik Sense App (attached below)
- Qlik Sense - Introduction to Extensions (video)
Other Resources:
If using Qlik Sense Desktop please copy .qvf file to your C:\Users\<user profile>\Documents\Qlik\Sense\Apps and refresh Qlik Sense Desktop with F5. If using Qlik Sense Enterprise Server please import .qvf into your apps using the QMC - Qlik Management Console.
Disclaimer: Star Wars, the Star Wars logo, all names and pictures of Star Wars characters, vehicles and any other Star Wars related items are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of Lucasfilm Ltd., or their respective trademark and copyright holders.
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Qlik Cloud Analytics brings Capacity Model Pricing
We are pleased to announce new capacity model pricing for Qlik Analytics. The new pricing model is an extension of the capacity functionality we introduced earlier this year for data integration. We believe this pricing model aligns with modern customer expectations and will: Provide more predictability as you plan deployments Make it easier to take advantage of available capabilities in Qlik Cloud Give more flexibility to organizations wan... Show MoreWe are pleased to announce new capacity model pricing for Qlik Analytics. The new pricing model is an extension of the capacity functionality we introduced earlier this year for data integration.
We believe this pricing model aligns with modern customer expectations and will:
- Provide more predictability as you plan deployments
- Make it easier to take advantage of available capabilities in Qlik Cloud
- Give more flexibility to organizations wanting to expand analytics usage
Today, we offer three capacity pricing tiers: Standard, Premium, and Enterprise.
You can find additional details on our website Qlik Cloud® Analytics Plans & Pricing
With the Qlik Cloud capacity model, the primary value meter is Data for Analysis or Data Moved, except for Qlik Cloud Analytics Standard where Full Users is the value meter.
See in detail what it means here: Subscription value meters
Additionally, we understand the importance of Qlik Cloud administrators to monitor their tenants' data consumption. Therefore, we are pleased to introduce:
- A monitoring dashboard
Located in the home pane of the Management Console, this overview provides a summary of user allocations, data capacity consumption, reports, and other capacity-based resources to understand your usage. - A specialized Qlik Sense Application
For more in-depth analysis, a detailed consumption report is delivered in a Qlik Sense Application allowing you to further understand how your organization uses Qlik Cloud.
For more information on how to deploy the report, please see our Qlik Help for details: Monitoring usage with detailed consumption reports.
Additional resources:
- Capacity Pricing and Usage Telemetry in Qlik Cloud available
- Qlik Cloud® Analytics Plans & Pricing
- Qlik Cloud Analytics specifications and capacity
- Subscription value meters
- Monitoring resource consumption
- Monitoring usage with detailed consumption reports
Thanks for choosing Qlik!
Qlik Global Support
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The Crosstable Load
There are a number of prefixes in QlikView, that help you load and transform data. One of them is the Crosstable transformation.
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Canonical Date
A common situation when loading data into a Qlik document is that the data model contains several dates. For instance, in order data you often have one order date, one required date and one shipped date. This means that one single order can have multiple dates; in my example one OrderDate, one RequiredDate and several ShippedDates - if the order is split into several shipments: So, how would you link a master calendar to this? Well,... Show MoreA common situation when loading data into a Qlik document is that the data model contains several dates. For instance, in order data you often have one order date, one required date and one shipped date.
This means that one single order can have multiple dates; in my example one OrderDate, one RequiredDate and several ShippedDates - if the order is split into several shipments:
So, how would you link a master calendar to this?
Well, the question is incorrectly posed. You should not use one single master calendar for this. You should use several. You should create three master calendars.
The reason is that the different dates are indeed different attributes, and you don’t want to treat them as the same date. By creating several master calendars, you will enable your users to make advanced selections like “orders placed in April but delivered in June”. See more on Why You sometimes should Load a Master Table several times.
Your data model will then look like this:
But several different master calendars will not solve all problems. You can for instance not plot ordered amount and shipped amount in the same graph using a common time axis. For this you need a date that can represent all three dates – you need a Canonical Date. This is how you create it:
First you must find a table with a grain fine enough; a table where each record only has one value of each date type associated. In my example this would be the OrderLines table, since a specific order line uniquely defines all three dates. Compare this with the Orders table, where a specific order uniquely defines OrderDate and RequiredDate, but still can have several values in ShippedDate. The Orders table does not have a grain fine enough.
This table should link to a new table – a Date bridge – that lists all possible dates for each key value, i.e. a specific OrderLineID has three different canonical dates associated with it. Finally, you create a master calendar for the canonical date field.
You may need to use ApplyMap() to create this table, e.g. using the following script:
DateBridge:
Load
OrderLineID,
Applymap('OrderID2OrderDate',OrderID,Null()) as CanonicalDate,
'Order' as DateType
Resident OrderLines;Load
OrderLineID,
Applymap('OrderID2RequiredDate',OrderID,Null()) as CanonicalDate,
'Required' as DateType
Resident OrderLines;Load
OrderLineID,
ShippedDate as CanonicalDate,
'Shipped' as DateType
Resident OrderLines;If you now want to make a chart comparing ordered and shipped amounts, all you need to do is to create it using a canonical calendar field as dimension, and two expressions that contain Set Analysis expressions:
Sum( {$<DateType={'Order'}>} Amount )
Sum( {$<DateType={'Shipped'}>} Amount )
The canonical calendar fields are excellent to use as dimensions in charts, but are somewhat confusing when used for selections. For this, the fields from the standard calendars are often better.
Summary:
- Create a master calendar for each date. Use these for list boxes and selections.
- Create a canonical date with a canonical calendar. Use these fields as dimension in charts.
- Use the DateType field in a Set Expression in the charts.
A good alternative description of the same problem can be found here. Thank you, Rob, for inspiration and good discussions.
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HR ANALYTICS
Goal Achieved for Hr department: Employee Data Compiling Salary Information Employee Performance Details on any disciplinary action taken against an employee Smooth Reporting experience across dashboard Use Case: Target Area : Display’s important HR metrics using interactive visualizations. It helps the HR department to improve recruiting processes, optimize the workplace management as well as to review the overall employee performance as per ... Show MoreGoal Achieved for Hr department:
- Employee Data
- Compiling Salary Information
- Employee Performance
- Details on any disciplinary action taken against an employee
- Smooth Reporting experience across dashboard
Use Case:
Target Area :
- Display’s important HR metrics using interactive visualizations.
- It helps the HR department to improve recruiting processes, optimize the workplace management as well as to review the overall employee performance as per manager’s rating.
Requirement :
- Dashboard should be representation of key measures of human resource
- Employee achievements
- Productivity and other factors important to the organization
- Factors measured include hiring, performance management and employee attrition report
Solution & Benefits :
- In this dashboard we have showcased a basic dashboard with all employee details form their joining to performance/rating.
- HR Admin can add Employee who have applied for separation & can also retain the employee
- Custom extension is used to make the reports
- MIS report
- Performance / Rating report
- Input Form for adding data to database
Key KPI:
- Joinee/Separation Report
- Performance Report
- Employee Salary
- Employee Outgo
Highlight of this Application:
- Table/Report Extension
- Variance Bar Chart Extension
- Breadcrumb Extension
- Circular Gauge Extension
- Oval KPI Extension
- Image Color Fill Extension
- Custom Theme developed for this Application
- AdHoc report made using show/hide option in table object
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Qlik NPrinting Integration with SAML
Hello Qlik NPrinting World!! Last time I talked about Qlik NPrinting connections, but now we are going to delve into integrating Qlik NPrinting with SAML! Topics:What is SAML?IdP versus SP Initiated SAMLRequirements LimitationsConfiguration What is SAML?SAML or Security Assertion Markup Language is a form of Single Sign On. It allows the end users to login to the Qlik NPrinting WebConsole and/or NewsStand with the click of a button. IdP versus SP... Show MoreHello Qlik NPrinting World!!
Last time I talked about Qlik NPrinting connections, but now we are going to delve into integrating Qlik NPrinting with SAML!
Topics:
- What is SAML?
- IdP versus SP Initiated SAML
- Requirements
- Limitations
- Configuration
What is SAML?
SAML or Security Assertion Markup Language is a form of Single Sign On. It allows the end users to login to the Qlik NPrinting WebConsole and/or NewsStand with the click of a button.
IdP versus SP Initiated SAML:
IdP (Identity Provider) Initiated SAML starts at the Identity Provider URL such as Okta, PingIdentity, ADFS and then redirects the user to the Service Provider URL, Qlik NPrinting.
SP (Service Provider) Initiated SAML starts at the Service Provider URL, Qlik NPrinting, then redirects the user to the IdP for Authentication, and then redirects back to the Service Provider URL.
Requirements:
- An installed and licensed version of Qlik NPrinting Server April 2018 or newer
- Administrative Accounts for both Qlik NPrinting and the Identity Provider
Limitations:
- Qlik NPrinting does not sign the SAML authentication request. This means that identity providers that require the SAML authentication request to be signed are not supported.
- SAML response encryption is not supported, so encrypted messages or attributes are not read by Qlik NPrinting.
- SAML single logout is not supported.
Configuration:
I worked with the Education Team to help create a "Qlik Fix" video. The video is found here:
It will take you through the configuration steps to integrate Qlik NPrinting with SAML, in the video we are using Okta as our Identity Provider.
To summarize the video:
First enable SAML in Qlik NPrinting:
- Log into the Qlik NPrinting WebConsole with an Administrative User
- Click on Admin and choose Settings
- Select the SAML button
- Click Add Configuration
- Add a name for this configuration
- Insert your FQDN for the Service Provider URL with the appropriate port number. Example: https://QlikNPrintingServer.com:4993
- 4993 = WebConsole
- 4994 = NewsStand
- Enter an Entity ID
- Select the Authenticate user by email option and enter the attribute for email.
Click Save
- Open the SAML page again and download the SP Metadata. This will be our "cheat sheet" for setting up the Identity Provider.
Second setup your Okta Configuration:
- Log into Okta with an Administrative User
- Click the Admin button
- Click Add Applications
- Create New App
- Choose the Web Platform and SAML 2.0 for the Sign On Method
- Click Create
- Choose an App Name
- Click Next
- Enter the Single Sign On URL. This is the same URL that appears in the SP Metadata that was downloaded earlier. The URL will be in the Location setting. Do not enter any quotes.
- Enter the Audience URI (SP Entity ID) this is the Entity ID you setup in Qlik NPrinting. The Entity ID will also be in the SP metadata file that was downloaded earlier. It will be in the entityID setting. Do not enter any quotes.
- The Default RelayState should remain empty
- The Name ID Format is always Transient. This would match the SP Metadata file that was downloaded earlier from Qlik NPrinting.
- Application username is Okta username
- Enter any Attributes and Group Attribute statements
Click Finish
On the Sign On screen right click on the Identity Provider Metadata and choose "Save Link As" ensure you save the file with a .xml file extension
Return to the Qlik NPrinting WebConsole - Admin - Settings - SAML Settings
Open the SAML page again by selecting the appropriate name
Browse for the IdP xml Metadata file previously downloaded from the Okta site
Click Save
Navigate back to the Okta Admin page and choose the Assignment tab
Choose the necessary users that need access to the Qlik NPrinting WebConsole
Testing:
- Open the Qlik NPrinting WebConsole
- Choose the OktaWebConsole button at the login screen
- You will be redirected to Okta, enter your credentials
- You will be redirected to the Qlik NPrinting WebConsole
Congratulations!! The SAML Authentication should now be setup between Qlik NPrinting WebConsole and Okta. ✔️
A step-by-step guide is found in our Knowledge Article: Qlik NPrinting SAML Authentication with Okta
Are there any other Identity Providers that you would like to see added to our Knowledge? Recently I configured Qlik NPrinting with PingOne PingIdentity. That article is found here: Qlik NPrinting SAML Authentication with PingOne PingIdentity
Please let me know in the comments!
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A new look and feel is here!
Learn more about the August enhancments for Qlik Community. -
Focusing on Scatter Plots
An overview of scatter plots and how users can take apply them within their own apps. -
The Reload Analyzer for Qlik Cloud Customers
“How can I monitor reloads across the tenant?” “How can I see what data connections and files are being used?” “How can I view reload concurrency and peak reload RAM over time?” To help answer these questions, we are happy to share with you the capabilities of our Reload Analyzer for Qlik Sense SaaS! The Reload Analyzer app provides insights on: Number of reloads by type (Scheduled, Hub, In App, API) and by user Data connections an... Show More- “How can I monitor reloads across the tenant?”
- “How can I see what data connections and files are being used?”
- “How can I view reload concurrency and peak reload RAM over time?”
To help answer these questions, we are happy to share with you the capabilities of our Reload Analyzer for Qlik Sense SaaS!
The Reload Analyzer app provides insights on:
- Number of reloads by type (Scheduled, Hub, In App, API) and by user
- Data connections and used files of each app’s most recent reload
- Reload concurrency and peak reload RAM
- Reload tasks and their respective statuses
- And much more!
(Available sheets)
The Reload Analyzer uses Qlik’s RESTful APIs to fetch all the required data and stores the history in QVD files, allowing for efficient reloads and historical analysis.
A few things to note:
- This app is provided as-is and is not supported by Qlik Support.
- It is recommended to always use the latest app.
- Information is not collected by Qlik when using this app.
The app as well as the configuration guide are available via GitHub, linked below.
- QVF: https://github.com/qlik-oss/qlik-cloud-reload-analyzer/releases/latest/download/reload-analyzer.qvf
- Release Notes: https://github.com/qlik-oss/qlik-cloud-reload-analyzer/releases/latest
- Installation Guide: https://github.com/qlik-oss/qlik-cloud-monitoring-apps/releases/latest/download/qlik-cloud-monitoring-applications-installation-guide.pdf
Any issues or enhancement requests should be opened on the Issues page within the app’s GitHub repository.
Be sure to subscribe to the Qlik Support Updates Blog by clicking the green Subscribe button to stay up-to-date with the latest Qlik Support announcements. Please give this post a like if you found it helpful!
Kind regards,
Qlik Digital Support Team
Additional Resources:
Our other monitoring apps for Qlik Cloud can be found below.
- App Analyzer
- Entitlement Analyzer
- Access Evaluator
- OEM Dashboard (for OEM Partners and multi-cloud tenants)
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【10/5（木）15:00 開催】Honda における “データドリブン型” 課題解決の進め方
企業のビジネス活動において、データはこれまで以上に必要不可欠な資産となっています。増え続けるデータを管理・統合・分析し、データでアクションを起こす必要性が増している現在、成功している企業はどのようなデータ戦略を実行しているのか？本 Web セミナーシリーズでは、Qlik でデータからアクションを起こすデータ主導のビジネスで成功しているお客様より、課題から導入の経緯、デモンストレーション、活用例などをご紹介します。 ※ 内容は予告なく変更になる可能性があります。予めご了承ください。 10/5（木）15:00 開催：Honda における “データドリブン型” 課題解決の進め方 本田技研工業株式会社では、全社共通データ分析ツールとして Qlik sense を導入し 7,000 超のユーザーが日々利用しています。 本セッションでは、データ駆動型のビジネスを実行するための体制と、その考えに基づき実践した Qlik データソンでの取り組み事例を紹介いたします。 第 3 回 Qlik データソンにお... Show More企業のビジネス活動において、データはこれまで以上に必要不可欠な資産となっています。増え続けるデータを管理・統合・分析し、データでアクションを起こす必要性が増している現在、成功している企業はどのようなデータ戦略を実行しているのか？
本 Web セミナーシリーズでは、Qlik でデータからアクションを起こすデータ主導のビジネスで成功しているお客様より、課題から導入の経緯、デモンストレーション、活用例などをご紹介します。※ 内容は予告なく変更になる可能性があります。予めご了承ください。
10/5（木）15:00 開催：
Honda における “データドリブン型” 課題解決の進め方本田技研工業株式会社では、全社共通データ分析ツールとして Qlik sense を導入し 7,000 超のユーザーが日々利用しています。 本セッションでは、データ駆動型のビジネスを実行するための体制と、その考えに基づき実践した Qlik データソンでの取り組み事例を紹介いたします。 第 3 回 Qlik データソンにおいては、ユーザー部門で最優秀賞を受賞。5 時間という限られた時間の中でいかにして成果を出したのか、ビジネス課題を解決するためのデータ分析の取り組みと Qlik の活用についてお話しします。
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Increase user adoption of your Qlik Apps with Custom Application Training
Increase user adoption and your Qlik ROI with targeted Custom Application Training, specially designed for your users to learn your Qlik application.
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Using Direct Query with MS Azure SQL - New Connectors for MS SQL, Azure SQL, Pos...
We just added the ability to use Direct Query with PostgreSQL, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL and MS SQL.
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Straight Table
The straight table, included in the Visualization bundle, has all the table properties that we are used to as well as many new features. These new features make it easier for developers to create a straight table and it gives users the ability to customize straight tables in the apps they view. The straight table is ideal when you want to provide detailed data – the raw data. While you do not want to have too many columns (ten or less columns are... Show MoreThe straight table, included in the Visualization bundle, has all the table properties that we are used to as well as many new features. These new features make it easier for developers to create a straight table and it gives users the ability to customize straight tables in the apps they view. The straight table is ideal when you want to provide detailed data – the raw data. While you do not want to have too many columns (ten or less columns are ideal for the best performance), a straight table can have many columns (dimensions and measures).
As previously mentioned, the straight table can be added to a sheet from the Qlik Visualization bundle. This means developers will need to open the advanced options to add the straight table to their sheet(s) and make edits. Once the straight table is added to a sheet, developers can add columns – either fields and master items or custom expressions. One of the new features that developers can take advantage of to build tables quickly is the ability to add more than one dimension and/or measure at once. Simply select the dimensions and measures you would like to add to the table and then click the Add button.
Once columns are added to the table, they can be dragged as needed to the desired position/order. Developers also can add alternate columns to the straight table. These columns can be dimensions and/or measures. These alternates columns will be available to users to customize the straight table if chart exploration is enabled. This is a great new feature because the user does not need edit permissions to modify the straight table. Users can add and/or remove columns based on their analysis. Being able to add columns as needed also improves performance since the straight table does not need to display all the columns, all the time. Loading the straight table with the minimum columns needed will decrease the load time.
Chart exploration allows users, who are in analysis mode, to add and remove columns from the straight table they are viewing by checking or unchecking them in the Chart exploration panel (see image below). Any users viewing the sheet can customize the straight table. Users cannot see layout changes made by other users using the app, unless they opt to share the visualization or create a public bookmark with the layout saved.
Another new feature for developers is the ability to set the column width. By default, the column width is set to Auto, but developers can set it to Fix to content, Pixels or Percentage. Pagination is another new feature that can be enabled in a Straight table. With pagination, a specified number of rows are displayed at once and the user can navigate through the pages using arrows or selecting the page.
Many of the properties for the straight table are familiar but the new ones are moving the straight table to a new level. Learn everything you need to know about the straight table in Qlik Help and add one to your next app. Also check out the SaaS in 60 video for a quick video overview:
Thanks,
Jennell
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Button + Reload Data or Button + Execute App Automation - which do I use?
Learn the differences between Qlik Sense button actions - Reload Data and Execute Automation - when you want to reload a Qlik Sense app, or have ANY user execute an automation.
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Qlik Cloud Analytics will no longer function with outdated version of Microsoft ...
Starting from the week of August 14th 2023, Qlik Cloud Analytics will no longer be able to utilize non-supported Microsoft SQL data sources. This affects Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and earlier. Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and earlier are not supported by Microsoft (see SQL Server lifecycle dates). If you are unclear which version of SQL Server you have, use one of the methods described in this Microsoft article. Upcoming Changes Qlik Cloud Analytics... Show MoreStarting from the week of August 14th 2023, Qlik Cloud Analytics will no longer be able to utilize non-supported Microsoft SQL data sources. This affects Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and earlier.
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and earlier are not supported by Microsoft (see SQL Server lifecycle dates). If you are unclear which version of SQL Server you have, use one of the methods described in this Microsoft article.
Upcoming Changes
Qlik Cloud Analytics is performing a required security update in August 2023, resulting in no access to Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or earlier. This update will also result in no support for TLS version 1.1 and earlier as well as any deprecated cryptographic functions.
Additional Information
While client-managed and standalone web connectors are not directly affected by this change, they do not support outdated versions of Microsoft SQL Server, such as MS SQL 2012. See Supported Microsoft SQL Server versions.
For additional information, see Outdated, out of support versions of Microsoft SQL Server and Qlik Cloud Analytics.
Thanks for choosing Qlik!
Qlik Global Support
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Working with Maps in Qlik Sense: Tips and Tricks
Qlik Sense Map charts are used to geographically display data related to countries, cities, states, regions, or particular geolocations (etc…). Maps offer different ways to present your data by first setting a base layer, then adding multiple layers to the map which are specific locations highlighted in multiple ways including Area, Points, Lines, Density, boundaries etc..You can add as many layers as you want. These layers are comprised of dimen... Show MoreQlik Sense Map charts are used to geographically display data related to countries, cities, states, regions, or particular geolocations (etc…). Maps offer different ways to present your data by first setting a base layer, then adding multiple layers to the map which are specific locations highlighted in multiple ways including Area, Points, Lines, Density, boundaries etc..
You can add as many layers as you want. These layers are comprised of dimensions and measures that allow to efficiently present geographical distribution of values related to locations in order to display a data story.
Types of layers:
- Point Layer: composed of bubbles or markers (you can choose a shape) positioned in specific coordinates (Lat / Long)
- Area Layer: geographic shapes sized and placed on specific areas
- Line Layer: connect two fields containing point data or a field containing geometries.
- Heatmap Layer: uses color gradient to show data density (intensity is greater at the center and declines towards the outer perimeter)
Base Maps:
Using different base maps can enhance the way data is displayed and aid in analysis. You can choose from:
- Default: Good for when using only 1 or 2 simple layers
- Pale: great for when you add multiple layers with different colors which might be difficult to read if using the default base
- Dark: good for when you color layers with bright colors, this style can also be used when it matches the rest of your dark themed dashboard.
- Satellite: gives a more realistic look to your map
- None: in this case, you can add custom background layers (covered later in this post)
Best Practices when designing Maps:
- Make your maps Simple to read:
- Be sure to use colors purposefully (stick to the default palette or use something like this https://jarrettmeyer.com/2018/08/07/viridis-color-palette)
- Use tooltips when necessary to provide more context when your layers are hovered.
- Change fonts and font colors when necessary, think about contrast between your layer coloring and the overlapping text font color.
- Think about the data you are visualizing:
- Continuous vs Discrete
- If visualizing two or more variable, it’s better to use color and size
- For instance, in a point layer showing office locations, you can color the point based on number of employees and size the bubble based on the Sum of sales made.
Advanced Uses:
Multi-Layer Maps:
When including multiple layers in map chart, it might become hard to interpret data. In that case, you can address this by controlling at what zoom levels different layers appear or have layers that appear only if other values in a drill-down dimensions are selected. This allows to create multiple levels of detail as you make selections and zoom in and out or locations of interest on the map.
- Zoom-Dependent Layer Display
Let’s create a map that relies on Zoom to reveal different layers.
- We start by creating the first layer as an Area layer to represent Countries and we color using the Sum(Sales) aggregated measure.
- We choose the Pale base type in order for the data to stand out more.
- Next, we add two new Point Layers
- First, to represent cities. We choose to color by measure using the Sum(Sales) aggregation.
- Second, to represent Customers. We choose the shape of the point layer to be a Triangle, and we color by Sum(Sales)
- Lastly, we configure the Layers to only show at certain zoom levels. We do that by changing the Layer Display “Show in zoom levels” property from Auto to Custom.
- Country Area Layer will show up until 4x zoom
- City Point Layer will show from 4x to 9x zoom
- Customer Layer will show starting at 10x zoom
The result:
- Drill-Down Layer Display
Let’s create a map that uses a drill-down dimension to display layers based on selection. Keep in mind that Drill-down dimensions should have the fields in order of highest geographical are to smallest geographical area.
- First, we create a Drill-down master dimension that contains three levels:
- Sales Region
- State
- Sales office
- Next, we add out 3 layers:
- An Area Layer for Sales Region: Choose the created Master Dimension as the dimension of the layer, and choose Sales Region.Area as the location.
- An Area Layer for the states.
- A Point layer for Sales offices.
- To enable the drill-down functionality. For each layer, navigate to Layer Options > Display. And change the “Visible drill-down levels” property from Auto to Custom and un-select the non-relevant layers, for instance:
The result:
Tip:
If you load data and it appears incorrect like below:
Head to Location, switch off Scope for location from Auto to Custom.
Change Location Type to “Administrative Area (Level 1)” in our case. Then, change Country to your location, in our example it’s ‘US’Multiple Background Layers:
To use custom base maps beyond the types mentioned above, you can add different background layers.
Let’s create a map with multiple background layers using a TMS and two WMS.
- First, we need to set the Base Map to non under Map Settings.
- Next, we add the first layer as a Background Layer and choose Format to be TMS
- We include the appropriate URL and attribution
- For the second and third layers, we use WMS server URLs, set the version and Load the WMS.
Important:
Keep in mind that when using URLs for TMS and WMS formats for background layers, these URLs that contain resource requests to external resources must have its origins allowlisted in the Content Security Policy, else the resource will not be loaded. WMS resources must have both image-src and connect-src directives allowlisted. More Info here.- Finally, we add a Point Layer.
The Result:
The QVFs for all three advanced examples can be found below. You can load them to your Qlik Cloud tenant, investigate the chart settings, and tweak the configurations to practice these concepts.
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