Using maps on a dashboard allows us to visually identify data using a picture instead of a table/chart, for example to analyze which regions of an area are doing poorly versus which regions are doing well. As you can see by looking at the following map of Canada, users are able to visually distinguish between each province:
The map component works by using a key/value pair that is assigned to each map section. It is important that the order of items bound to the Region section is in alphabetical order. Otherwise, the wrong keys will be bound. For example, in the following screenshot, Yukon and Nova Scotia are in the wrong alphabetical order. Thus, the key/value pair will be incorrect.
The Display Data section in step 3 is used to show what will be displayed as a user hovers the mouse over a region. There are two columns that can be shown (key/value). The key must match the key that was bound to the Region data; otherwise it, will not show up.
Finally, we have our Source Data, and again we must have a matching key in the first column in order to match the correct row.
To make the visualization even better for a map component, it is common to use alert coloring to show how the provinces are doing. To accomplish this, please read the Displaying alerts on a map recipe in Chapter 5, Using Alerts.