Adding a WMS layer

The Web Map Service (WMS) is a standard protocol for serving map images that a map server generates using data from a Geographic Information System (GIS) database. You can add a WMS layer to a map chart visualization to provide specialized context.

Before you begin

To add a WMS layer, you must have a URL to a valid WMS 1.1.1 (or earlier) service that uses WGS84 coordinate reference system (EPSG:3857 or EPSG: 4326). You can use a WMS server that does not require any login credentials, uses basic authentication or authentication with an identity provider (OAuth).

To authenticate with an identity provider, your Spotfire environment and the external system (the WMS server) from which you want to access data must be configured to use your identity provider. See Authentication with an identity provider (OAuth2) to access external systems for more information.

Tip: Many WMS resources are available on the internet. The article WMS sources for Spotfire on the Community site lists many links to sites that contain WMS resources, both free and paid. (The Community site is free to use; however, you must register an account to gain access to the information.)

Procedure

Follow the steps in Adding layers.

Tip: You can reuse the settings of an already existing layer instead of adding a completely new layer. See Duplicating a layer for detailed instructions.
From the list, select WMS layer.
Required: Provide the URL to a valid service.
The URL must link to a valid XML structure and a server that supports a WMS 1.1.1 or earlier service, and which uses the WGS84 coordinate reference system (EPSG:3857 or EPSG: 4326).

Note: If you enter a link to a server that supports only WMS 1.3.0 or later, an error is shown in the title area.

Most WMS maps are designed for specific regions or countries. If you provide a URL that contains a map structure for another country or region, Spotfire will show an error.

If the specified WMS service requires login, select an Authentication method from the drop-down list.

Option Description

Username and password Enter your username and password and click Log in.

Identity provider (OAuth)

Option	Description
Username and password	Enter your username and password and click Log in.
Identity provider (OAuth)	Select your Identity provider from the drop-down list and specify the Scopes. Scopes determine which permissions Spotfire requests on your behalf when you log in to the server. Select Default to use the scopes specified for your identity provider in the `OAuth2IdentityProviders` preference. Select Custom to define other scopes by entering them manually in the text box. Separate values with a space. Click Log in to be redirected to your identity provider to log in.

Select your Identity provider from the drop-down list and specify the Scopes. Scopes determine which permissions Spotfire requests on your behalf when you log in to the server. Select Default to use the scopes specified for your identity provider in the OAuth2IdentityProviders preference. Select Custom to define other scopes by entering them manually in the text box. Separate values with a space.

Click Log in to be redirected to your identity provider to log in.

Tip: Under Visualizations > Manage external logins you can see all identity providers used to log in to an external map service and whose map data is used in visualizations. Here you can also log in again, for example, after starting a new session. See also Managing external logins.

Expand the WMS sublayers section in the visualization properties panel to add sublayers. See Configuring a WMS layer and sublayer for detailed instructions and an example.
Note that it is mandatory to include copyright information for the vast majority of third-party map providers. Open the Properties and locate the Copyright text and Copyright link fields. In the visualization properties panel, the Copyright card is located on the top level for the map chart, or in the General section if you are looking at a layer. Paste the required copyright information in the fields. The information is then available in the lower right corner of the map layer (either directly as text or as a collapsed copyright icon which you can click on to expand it).