Have you ever procrastinated configuring a map because it would take ages to unify the format of your attributes? Do you dream of a day where you can batch format your attributes? Well, do I have good news for you. Batch formatting attributes is one of many exciting new features available in the July 2020 release of Map Viewer Beta. This feature does exactly what its name implies, allowing you to select multiple attributes of the same data type and unify their format.
While batch formatting might feel like a small feature, small features can still be incredibly useful and, in this case, give you a quick way to ensure that your data is both readable and meaningful. This capability is particularly valuable when you’re highlighting a layer with many numeric and date attributes. To show how it’s done, let’s go over how to batch format attributes and then walk through an example of batch formatting using the Current Weather and Wind Station dataset from the Living Atlas.
How it’s Done
Head over to Map Viewer Beta and add the layer above or choose your own layer to follow along. Click the layer from the layer list to activate the tool bar, and complete the following steps:
- Click on Configure attributes
- Select the attributes to be batch formatted (must be the same data type)
- Select the preferred format in the formatting window
- Click Done
- Click on a feature in your map to enjoy the updated format in your pop-ups
Practical Example
The batch formatting feature is useful for layers with multiple numeric or date attributes that aren’t in the same format or aren’t meaningful in their current format. In this example, I want to display the air, water, and dew point temperatures for buoy weather stations in a way that is easily understood. The attributes are shown with two decimal places by default, but the second decimal place is unnecessary. I can use batch formatting to change the air, water, and dew point temperature values so that only one decimal place is shown.
Notice how making these changes with a pop-up open allows me to see the format change in real-time. Although it is a minor change, my pop-up looks cleaner and more readable.
Tips and Tricks
- An icon to the right of each attribute in the attribute list denotes its data type. For example, “int” denotes an integer and “123” denotes a double
- Open a pop-up before batch formatting attributes to see in real-time how the format changes you make will look
- Filter through your attribute list to find attributes more quickly. For example, searching “wind” will display all the attributes that start with “wind”
What’s Next?
Additional capabilities for the Configure attribute feature are planned for upcoming releases, such as:
- Filter the attribute list by field type
- Select similar fields based on format and data type
Need More Information?
If you’re looking to learn more about new features and updates to Map Viewer Beta, check out one of the many Map Viewer Beta blogs. Also visit GeoNet to find answers, ask questions, and join the Map Viewer Beta discussion.
Commenting is not enabled for this article.