# Symbol, filled and density maps

*Tableau Desktop Foundations Study Guide · Exploring and Analyzing Data · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-desktop-foundations/exploring-and-analyzing-data/symbol-filled-and-density-maps*

Double-click a geographic field to start a map, then turn it into a proportional symbol map (measure on Size), a filled map (Map mark type, measure on Color) or a density map (Density mark type over many overlapping points), and know which data each one suits.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Desktop Foundations
- Exam section: Exploring and Analyzing Data
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-desktop-foundations

**Official exam objective:**

> Create basic charts: Create a bar chart; Create a line chart; Create a scatterplot; Create a map using geographic data; Create a combined axis chart; Create a dual axis chart; Create a stacked bar; Create a density map; Create a chart to show specific values (crosstab, highlight table).

## What the exam expects

- Explain why double-clicking a field with a geographic role creates a map view automatically.
- Build a proportional symbol (point) map by putting a measure on Size.
- Build a filled (polygon) map by choosing the Map mark type and putting a measure on Color.
- Build a density map from precise point locations with many overlapping marks, and predict how it behaves when you zoom or filter.
- Pick the map type that fits the data: individual locations, areas, or dense clusters of points.

Key terms:
- **Geographic role:** a setting that tells Tableau a field holds locations, so Tableau geocodes it and can build a map view.
- **Proportional symbol map:** a point map whose symbols are sized, and optionally colored, by a quantitative value per location.
- **Filled (choropleth) map:** a map whose polygons, such as states or counties, are shaded by ratio or aggregated data.
- **Density map:** a map that groups overlapping marks and color-codes them by how many marks are in each group; the map page calls it a heatmap, not to be confused with the heat map in Crosstabs and highlight tables.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Double-click a geographic field | A map view is created automatically | [Build a Simple Map](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_simple.htm) |
| Geographic role assigned | Tableau geocodes the field and adds Latitude (generated) and Longitude (generated) | [Format Geographic Fields in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_geographicroles.htm) |
| Proportional symbol map | Measure on Size; optional second measure on Color | [Create Maps that Show Quantitative Values in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_symbol.htm) |
| Filled (polygon) map | Mark Type Map, measure on Color | [Build a Simple Map](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_simple.htm) |
| Filled map data | Ratio or aggregated data for polygons | [Create Maps that Show Ratio or Aggregated Data in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_choropleth.htm) |
| Density map recipe | Lat/long on the shelves, many-point field on Detail, mark type Density | [Create Heatmaps that Show Trends or Density in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_heatmap.htm) |
| Density on zoom or filter | The surface recomputes on the remaining marks | [Create Heatmaps that Show Trends or Density in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_heatmap.htm) |
| Density with small multiples | Computed across the full domain of the data | [Create Heatmaps that Show Trends or Density in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_heatmap.htm) |
| Density underlying marks | Size and color not adjustable | [Create Heatmaps that Show Trends or Density in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_heatmap.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Why should a measure that already holds a percentage not be summed on a filled map?
- Why can a filled map of raw counts mislead readers?
- When does a latitude and longitude view collapse into a single mark?

## Sources

- [Build a Simple Map](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_simple.htm)
- [Create Heatmaps that Show Trends or Density in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_heatmap.htm)
- [Create Maps that Show Quantitative Values in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_symbol.htm)
- [Create Maps that Show Ratio or Aggregated Data in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_choropleth.htm)
- [Format Geographic Fields in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_geographicroles.htm)
- [Change the Type of Mark in the View](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_marktypes.htm)
- [Choose the Right Chart Type for Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/what_chart_example.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 5 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Desktop Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams