If you've ever had to work with maps or location-based data, chances are you've probably analyzed and/or visualized that type of data.
On Tableau, that geo-location data is normally detected automatically and turned in to the correct type so that you can work with it as quickly as possible; on Alteryx, that type of data might not necessarily get registered automatically but Alteryx provides a plethora of tools that you help you manipulate that data to your analysis needs.
Spatial tools live under the 'Spatial' tab, octagon-shaped and are colored deep green. Currently there are 14 tools but this blog will be looking at some of more used Spatial tools.
Spatial Info Tool- Making sure what you need is correct
Starting off with manipulating spatial data can be daunting, but the Spatial Info Tool is here to make your life easier. This tool is sort of the Jack of all trades within the Spatial tab. With it, you can easily communicate with Alteryx what you want it to read your existing data.
As an example, you'd be able to tell Alteryx to read your data and present it as Area of square miles. This is important, if you'd want to have a new column of data that is just the area that point or object has.
In some cases, or more specifically, your data might be in a different format. A challenge I did recently had data that was in the form of "Eastings" and "Northings" when I'd have to use the regular "Longitude" and "Latitudes". This tool will also allow you to reformat that.
You can click on the 3 dots next to the XY Output section and tell Alteryx to use a different system to read your data.
Create Points Tool- Generate Spatial Data
Sometimes even though the data was set up for a very specific and obvious role, it might not be in a way that Alteryx immediately recognizes. Using the Create Points Tool will allow Alteryx to create a new column of spatial data.
Afterwards, you can simply plug in a Browse tool and hit run. The configuration panel for the tool will pop up. Select the 'Map' tab and a map will be generated.
Make Grid Tool- Make a Grid of Your Selected Spatial Object
This tool allows you to select a spatial object – meaning when the dataset contains details about the area covered by the object – and apply a grid to it. The tool icon above shows that I have each grid to be 0.1 miles, the spatial object data I have covered the 5 boroughs of New York City and as the result of my run, I've covered the spatial object with 0.1 mile grids.
Trade Area Tool- Highlight a Circular Area Centroid
Sometimes we would want to include areas around our spatial points, and the Trade Area Tool comes in clutch for that purpose. This tool lets you select the column of spatial points and lets you circle a radius of your preferred size around it for further analysis.
By default the radii will overlap each other but in case you'd want to somewhat group the area created together, you can simple configure 'no overlap' in the configuration pane when setting up this tool and the result will be as follows:
These are the basics of configuring your spatial data, part 2 will cover some other tools that are useful for actual/ more advanced analysis.