Animated Maps

Animated maps show how geographic values change across an ordered field such as a date, period, category, or scenario. They can help users recognize changes over time without switching between separate maps.

Prepare the map data

Organize the source data in a workbook table and assign a named range to it. The table should contain the geographic field required by the selected map, the value to visualize, and a field that defines the animation sequence. You can also include a label field for the text displayed to users.

Before building the animation, verify that location values use a format recognized by the chosen map and that the animation field sorts in the order you expect.

Add and configure the map

1. Open the application in the Designer and add a map control.
2. Bind the map to the relevant named range.
3. Choose the map type and country or geographic configuration.
4. Select the fields that provide the location, label, and value.

Preview the static map first. Resolving missing locations or incorrect values before adding animation makes the sequence easier to validate.

Configure the animation

Select Edit Animation and choose the field that controls the sequence. Then configure the order, transition effect, and duration for each step. You can customize the animation labels so the active date or category is clear.

Enable Autoplay if the sequence should start as soon as the map loads. Enable Loop if it should restart after the final step. For an exploratory dashboard, leaving autoplay off gives users control over when the animation advances; for a presentation-style view, autoplay and loop can create a continuous story.

Publish the application and review the complete sequence. Confirm that the order is meaningful, labels remain readable, colors are comparable between steps, and the duration is long enough for users to understand each change.