Tableau | Data visualisation How to use your Local Coordinate system in Tableau Desktop 2019.3
Got Eastings and Northings instead of lat-long? Here's how Tableau 2019.3 lets you map local coordinate systems.
- The MAKEPOINT function in Tableau 2019.3 accepts a third parameter for the spatial reference (coordinate system) code.
- Without specifying the coordinate system, MAKEPOINT using Eastings and Northings will fail to render a map.
- You can find the correct coordinate system code by searching for your country or region on a spatial reference lookup site.
- Once you add the code (for example the UK system) and apply it, Tableau renders the map from local coordinates.
Tableau 2019.3's MAKEPOINT function can take a coordinate system code as a third parameter, letting you map data given in local coordinate systems like UK Eastings and Northings instead of latitude and longitude.
The example data set holds locations as Eastings and Northings, the coordinate system used in the UK, rather than lat-long. A spatial calculation using MAKEPOINT with just these two values fails to render on a map.
- Spot the problem: MAKEPOINT fails to render 0:21
If your MAKEPOINT calculation uses coordinates from a local system (like Eastings and Northings) rather than latitude and longitude, the map won't render at all until you tell Tableau which coordinate system you're using.
- Add the coordinate system as a third parameter 0:42
MAKEPOINT now accepts an optional third parameter: a code identifying the coordinate system your values are in. You add a comma after your two coordinate fields and then supply this code.
- Apply the code and confirm the map renders 1:00
Once you enter the code into the MAKEPOINT function and apply the change, Tableau renders the map correctly from the local coordinates.
- A MAKEPOINT calculation without the coordinate system code will silently fail to render when your source data isn't in latitude and longitude.
Reach for this when your data source provides location as a local coordinate system (such as UK Eastings and Northings) rather than standard latitude and longitude, and you still want Tableau to map it.
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