We’re noticing that many of you are curious about the map elements in the GetBulb library, but haven’t tried them yet. They’re actually one of the simpler elements to use, since all you really need are two columns of data: country names, and whatever value you want associated with it.
This how-to post walks you through how to use the app itself, but I wanted to give you a little taster of some of the individual elements — using a new app can be daunting, and it really is freaking easy to make a map-based infographic. We’re going to make a map of debt to GDP ratio across the EU because it’s data we had handy, thanks to PublicPolicy.ie
Start by launching the app and getting your data ready.
Make sure the country names/geographical areas are spelled the same way they are in the GetBulb sample datasets. They don’t have to be in the same order, so long as they are arranged in a column and you don’t vary the spelling.
If the names aren’t spelled the same way as they are in our sample set, the data won’t be fed into that area of the map, and you’ll get a blank country.
It’s not that difficult to check your spellings if you have a column of EU countries, Canadian provinces, or Irish counties, but once you get into UK electoral districts or, uh, all the countries in the world, it can be a pain. Try alphabetizing both your list and the template list (an easier way to ensure they match), making sure they’re matched with the values in the number column, and then pasting the template country names in with the values.
Now, pick the EU map element and drag it into one of the layout fields. Click the blue data button at the bottom right-hand corner of the field, and your data box will drop down. Copy and paste your data from Excel into the box — there’s your map!
I’ve decided I want to put a bar chart beside it, so I’ve chosen the two-panel layout from the icons on the right.
Drag the bar chart element into the right-hand panel, and make sure your data is ready. For bar charts, remember you have to arrange the data in rows, not columns.
Drag the bar chart element into the right-hand panel, and make sure your data is ready. For bar charts, remember you have to arrange the data in rows, not columns.
I’ve decided I’ll make my bar chart of the five countries with the highest debt to GDP ratio, compared with the average of all 28 EU countries. Click the blue data button, paste in your data, and you’re just about there.
The final step is to export your graphic. Choose your file type: PDF, SVG or PNG, and click the button. There it is!
Because the text is a bit bunched on the bar chart, I probably should have put it on a separate row below, but the point of this was to show you how you can create a graphic with two side-by-side elements.
The final step is to export your graphic. Choose your file type: PDF, SVG or PNG, and click the button. There it is!
Because the text is a bit bunched on the bar chart, I probably should have put it on a separate row below, but the point of this was to show you how you can create a graphic with two side-by-side elements.
