Working with layers

From the visualization properties, you can refine a map chart or a wafer map by reordering layers, hiding layers, or permanently removing layers. You can also show or hide the Layers control from the visualization.

About this task

See Adding layers and subtopics for information about adding layers of different types.

The layers shown in the visualization, top to bottom, correspond to the order of the layer list in the visualization properties panel, first to last. In other words, placing a layer first in the layer list will place the layer on top of all other layers in the visualization.

In the visualization properties panel, you can see the current layers at the top of the panel, in their layer order, top to bottom.

In the visualization properties dialog of the installed client, you can find map chart layers on the Layers page.

Note: The visualization properties dialog is not available for wafer maps.

Moving layers

You can move layers by selecting Move up or Move down from the context menu for each layer in the panel.

In the visualization properties dialog of the installed client, you can use Move Forward or Move Backward buttons on the Layers page to rearrange map chart layers.

Hiding layers

You can hide layers temporarily in a visualization. This can be useful, because you can see what effect the settings of a specific layer has on the entire visualization. In the visualization properties panel, you can hide a layer using the context menu for the layer in the upper part of the panel.

You can also use the Layers control directly in the visualization to hide and unhide a layer by clicking the eye icon, if the layers control is shown (this is specified using visualization properties).

Changing the interactive layer

If multiple data layers are included in the visualization, you must specify which layer should be the interactive layer. The interactive layer is the only layer in which you can mark and highlight items, but you can easily switch the interactive layer using the Layers control in the top left corner of the visualization, or through the visualization properties. Note that the interactive layer can be placed anywhere in the list; it does not have to be the topmost layer.

In the visualization properties panel, the interactive layer is indicated using an arrow. You can change to a different layer from the context menu for that layer, by selecting Use as interactive layer.

Tip: In the map chart, the key to positioning different layers relative to each other is in most cases based on geocoding, and the geocoding is in turn based on a column matching between the data table containing the data of interest and a geocoding hierarchy. If any issues should arise, it is often the column matching that must be reviewed.

Because the column matching allows you to view data from multiple data tables in one visualization, you can use data from one data table to show information in a layer based on a different data table. For example, if you create a feature layer based on a geocoding data table to show different regions in your country, you can use your own sales data table to color the regions.

Renaming layers

You can rename layers using the context menu for each layer in the visualization properties panel (or from the General section for the layer's settings in the visualization properties dialog when working with a map chart in the installed client).

Changing the transparency of a layer

You can changeTransparency for a selected layer from the Appearance section of the visualization properties panel (or the General page in the visualization properties dialog when working with a map chart in the installed client).

Deleting layers

If you no longer need a certain layer, you can remove it permanently from the visualization properties.

In the visualization properties panel, this is done by clicking the Remove button or by selecting Delete layer in the context menu for the layer.

In the visualization properties dialog of the installed client, you select a map chart layer and click Remove.