| title | titleSuffix | description | author | ms.author | ms.date | ms.topic | ms.service | services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Add a reference layer to Azure Maps Power BI visual |
Microsoft Azure Maps |
In this article, you will learn how to use the reference layer in Azure Maps Power BI visual. |
stevemunk |
v-munksteve |
11/29/2021 |
conceptual |
azure-maps |
azure-maps |
The reference layer feature lets a secondary spatial dataset be uploaded to the visual and overlaid on the map to provide addition context. This dataset is hosted by Power BI and must be a GeoJSON file with a .json or .geojson file extension.
To add a GeoJSON file as a reference layer, go to the Format pane, expand the Reference layer section, and press the + Add local file button.
After a GeoJSON file is added to the reference layer, the name of the file will appear in place of the + Add local file button with an X beside it. Press the X button to remove the data from the visual and delete the GeoJSON file from Power BI.
The following map is displays 2016 census tracts for Colorado, colored by population.
[!div class="mx-imgBorder"]
:::image type="content" source="./media/power-bi-visual/reference-layer-CO-census-tract.png" alt-text="A map displaying 2016 census tracts for Colorado, colored by population as a reference layer.":::
The following are all settings in the Format pane that are available in the Reference layer section.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Reference layer data | The data GeoJSON file to upload to the visual as an additional layer within the map. The + Add local file button opens a file dialog the user can use to select a GeoJSON file that has a .json or .geojson file extension. |
Note
In this preview of the Azure Maps Power BI visual, the reference layer will only load the first 5,000 shape features to the map. This limit will be increased in a future update.
Properties can be added to each feature within the GeoJSON file to customize how it is styled on the map. This feature uses the simple data layer feature in the Azure Maps Web SDK. For more information, see this document on supported style properties. Custom icon images are not supported within the Azure Maps Power BI visual as a security precaution.
The following is an example of a GeoJSON point feature that sets its displayed color to red.
{
"type": "Feature",
"geometry": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [-122.13284, 47.63699]
},
"properties": {
"color": "red"
}
}Add more context to the map:
[!div class="nextstepaction"] Add a tile layer
[!div class="nextstepaction"] Show real-time traffic