How to Make a Map Chart in Excel from Geographic Data

Step-by-step

When your data lists states, countries or cities, a filled map shows it far more clearly than a table. Excel’s map chart shades each region by its value.

1. Lay out the data

Put the place names in one column and the values next to them. The example lists US states in column A and their populations in millions in column B.

2. Insert the map

Select both columns and go to Insert > Maps > Filled Map (it sits to the right of the other chart icons). Excel draws the map, with darker shades for bigger numbers.

3. It’s linked to the data

Change a value and the shading updates straight away. In the video, changing Pennsylvania to 30 million turns it a darker blue, and Ctrl+Z puts it back.

4. Showing just part of the map

Chart only three states and Excel still draws the whole country. To zoom in, copy the chart (Ctrl+C), then on the Home tab use Paste > Picture. Now use Picture Format > Crop to keep only the area you want. The picture no longer updates when the data changes, so do this last.

5. Watch for low-confidence places

Cities are harder to map than states or countries. If a small indicator appears at the top right of the chart, click it: in the example, Excel says it plotted only 50% of the locations with high confidence and leaves Philadelphia out. Using fuller names, or adding a state or country column, usually helps.

6. Works for countries too

Select a list of countries (France, Spain, Portugal and Greece in the example) and insert a filled map. Excel zooms to Europe. Copy, paste as a picture and crop it if you want a tighter view.

Go further

My Excel Charts, Infographics & Data Visualisation course teaches 20+ advanced charts and maps from a blank sheet.