Data about the land can often be shown on a map, which makes it easier to understand. Here are instructions for how to make a map using Terraso.
Be a Member of a Group or Landscape
To visualize your data, you should be a part of a group or landscape. Either create a group or a landscape, or join a pre-existing group or landscape.
Prepare the data
Data must be in a certain format to be visualized by Terraso. Follow this guide to make sure that your map file is configured correctly.
Upload a file
To make a map from your file, first you should upload it to a group or landscape where you are a member.
- Go to a Group or a Landscape where you are a member.
- In the files section upload your data file, giving it a name and a description
When you are ready, go to the files section and select “Make Map”
Select a file
Choose which file to be made into a map. Review the file names and descriptions and find the file you wish to visualize.
When a file has been chosen, select “Next”.
Choose information to display
If the file selected is a CSV or Excel file, select the columns that contain information to be displayed in the map.
- Latitude and Longitude: Terraso will try to select the files that contain location information. Choose which columns contain latitude and longitude information.
- Columns to Display: Choose to display all columns of data in your file, or specific columns of information. Use the dropdown menus to select which columns are most important to show on your map.
Use the “Preview” window to review which data is relevant. Terraso will display the first 3 rows of the spreadsheet’s data.
When finished, select “Next”.
Appearance
Customize the color, size, and symbols of the data on the map. If the data file contains points, choose a representative symbol. If the file contains polygons, customize the transparency.
Adjust the color, size, symbols, and transparency of the features displayed on the map.
When finished, select “Next”.
Annotations
Provide additional information to the viewer and customize how the map displays data.
Title: the name of the map (required)
Description: a paragraph that explains what the map contains (optional)
CSV/Excel only
Pop-up Title: Choose a data column that will represent the title of the pop-up that emerges when a user selects the data
Under the “Data” section, customize the names of the labels. Drag to reorder the columns.
When finished, select “Next”.
Preview
Customize the initial map zoom and location for viewers. By default, Terraso will pick a zoom and location that displays all viewpoints. The user can zoom in to information of particular interest. Viewers will be able to adjust the pan and zoom.
When finished, select “Publish”
After Publishing
The map will be accessible to anyone in the group or landscape where it was created. Share a link to the map using the “Share” button.
Maps made from data files can be imported into story maps.
