Polygon Hex Map in Tableau

A while back, Matt Chambers wrote a really good post about how to Create Hex Maps in Tableau using Hex Shape marks. This was a derivative of the work Brittany Fong did on Tile Maps. I've always enjoyed both of these map alternatives, as it allows users to map geographic data, while preventing the Texas effect.

Matt's blog post: http://www.sirvizalot.com/2015/11/hex-tile-maps-in-tableau.html

Brittany's blog post:  http://www.bfongdata.com/2015/11/periodic-table-map.html

I have used Matt's technique/data file for a while to create Hex Maps. But one thing that I always struggled with was sizing of the Shape Mark. No matter how hard I tried, it was always difficult to get it "just right". So I decided to put together a new file that allows me to create a Polygon Hex Map.This has the benefit of reducing headache with Shapes, and how Tableau sizes them based on the the size mark, and the viz size on the Dashboard. It also ensures the placement of the Hex are always exactly in the correct place.

DATA FILE HERE!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tG3B4Muvbx0jFPZ6pQymp2xUDvrd3H0H

Step 1: Plot the Polygon

1. Drag the X and Y field onto the Columns and Rows Shelf

2. Drag State onto the Detail Shelf

3. Change Mark type to Polygon

4. Drag Point onto the Path Mark

Step 2: Add the Labels

The one downside of using Polygons is that we can't directly add labels to them. It's annoying, but there is a fairly simple workaround.

1. Drag Y2 onto the rows shelf

2. Dual Axis and Synchronize

3. Change Mark Type to Circle

4. Drag Abbreviation onto the Text Mark

5. Center align text

6. Change Circle Opacity to 0% (Hides Marks from view)

Step 3: Blend and Color

At this point, we just need to blend the Dataset we are using with this one (Blending on the State field).

1. Link Dataset on State

2. Drag whatever measure you want to visualization onto the Color Mark

And that's it!