# Map layering

Analytics Plus allows you to stack multiple data layers on a single geo map, with each layer representing different KPIs. With this feature, you can easily compare and contrast different data points within the same geographic context in a single report, eliminating the need to toggle between multiple reports.

- [Advantages of map layering](#advantages)
- [Enable layers](#enable-layers)
- [Creating map layers](#create-layers)
- [Customizing map layers](#customize-layers)

## Advantages of map layering

- **Enhanced Visualization:** It enables the simultaneous display of multiple data sets, providing a richer and more detailed visual representation.
- **Contextual Understanding:** It helps in understanding the relationship between different data points, revealing patterns and correlations that might not be evident in isolation.
- **Interactive Exploration:** It allows you to zoom, pan, and click on layers for detailed information, allowing drill-down analysis.

## Enable layers

You need to enable the layering feature to visualize multiple layers of data on a single geo map. To enable map layers, follow the steps below:

- Open the required report or create a new report by clicking **+Create** at the top left corner, then choose **Chart View** from the drop-down menu.
- In the window that appears, enable the **Enable Layers** toggle button at the top right corner of the report builder.

![](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/analytics-plus/analytics-geo-map-layering-enable-layers.jpeg)

**Note:**

- The layering feature is specifically designed for Geo Map charts.
- Attempting to layer different chart types other than a geo map is not supported.
- You can add up to **five layers to the same geo map** for comprehensive data visualization.

## Creating map layers

Creating map layers is similar to creating a geo map, with the key difference being that creating multiple geo maps as separate layers within the same designer page. For detailed steps, please refer to the presentation below.

<https://show.zohopublic.com/publish/57px03b7bbdd3c7294614835b781d2fd09bf3>

## Customizing map layers

You can customize the map layers in both the chart's **Edit Design** and **View** modes. The following are the available options:

### Changing the chart type

Analytics Plus lets you change the chart type of each layer individually, enabling better analysis and deeper insights into each layer. To change the chart type, follow the steps below:

- Click the **Layer Controls** icon on the left side panel of the map.
- Click the **Chart Chooser** icon, and select the desired chart type.

![](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/analytics-plus/analytics-geo-map-layering-change-chart-type.png)

### Hide the map layer

To hide a layer in map layering, follow these steps:

- Click the **Layer Controls** icon on the left side panel of the map.
- Click the **Hide Layer** icon corresponding to the layer you need to hide. The hidden layer will no longer appear on the geo map.

![](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/analytics-plus/analytics-geo-map-layering-hide-layer.png)

### Lock the layer

The lock layer feature enables you to freeze certain layers from further customization when they are viewed by users in the **View Mode**. To lock a layer, follow the steps below:

- Click the **Layer Controls** icon on the left side panel of the map.
- Click the **Lock Layer** icon corresponding to the layer you wish to lock. A locked layer remains visible on the map but prevents interaction with its data values.

![](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/analytics-plus/analytics-geo-map-layering-lock-layer.png)

### Identify Unresolved Locations

You can identify and fix unresolved locations directly within the map layering feature.

- Open the map layer report and click **Edit Mode** at the top.
- If you have any unresolved locations, an **Unresolved Location(s)** icon will appear in the **Map** toolbar.

![](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/analytics-plus/unresolved_locations.png)

- Click this icon to open the **Edit Unresolved Locations** dialog.

![](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/analytics-plus/edit_unresolved.png)

- This dialog will list all locations that the system could not automatically plot on the map. From here, you can review the details and resolve them by manually correcting the location data or assigning coordinates.
- For more details, refer to the section on [fixing unresolved locations](https://www.manageengine.com/analytics-plus/help/chart/geo-maps.html#unresolved-locations).

### Configure drill through action in map layers

The drill-through action allows users to navigate from a data point on your map to a related report, passing the selected context as a filter. This helps in analyzing metrics or dimensions in greater detail.

**Note:** You can configure different drill-through actions for each layer independently.

To configure a Drill Through Action,

- Click the **Settings** icon in the top-right corner of the chart and select **Map** tab.
- Navigate to the specific layer where you want to enable the action and select the **Drill** tab.
- Enable the **Drill Through** toggle.
- Select the target reports or views you wish to drill through to. The list will show all available views created from the same table or related tables.
- Click **Apply** to save the configuration.

## Network Charts

Network charts on a Geo Map provide a visual representation of the relationships between different geographical locations. By using **nodes (points)** and connecting **lines**, these charts illustrate how various locations are linked through movement, flow, or influence, effectively mapping out the network of interactions across an area.

In Analytics Plus, you can create these network charts effortlessly using the **map-layering** feature. This process involves two main steps:

### Step 1: Creating Points and Lines

First, you need to convert the source and destination information into geographical encoding (**Points**) and then establish the connection (**Line**) between them.

- Open the table that has the **Latitude** and **Longitude** of the Source/ Destination.
- **Points -** Convert source and destination information into geographical coordinates using the **makepoint()** function.  
  For example, `makepoint(latitude1, longitude1)`
- **Lines -** Use the **makeline()** function to draw connections between these points.  
  For example,
  - `makeline(source, destination)`
  - `makeline(makepoint(latitude1, longitude1), makepoint(latitude2, longitude2))`

### Step 2: Adding Layers

The points and lines are the prerequisite to create the Network Chart. After generating the points and lines, add them as distinct layers in your Geo Map.

- Open the **Chart Designer** page.
- Add the source and the destination point as **distinct layers**.
- Establish the connection between them by adding lines as the third layer (Chart type - **Map Filled** should be used as the third layer) into your Geo Map.

![](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/analytics-plus/network-chart.jpg)

This approach not only highlights critical connections—such as trade routes, migration patterns, or transportation networks—but also makes it easier to analyze and interpret complex relationships across different regions.