Map Overview

Maps in VoxDash help visualize geographic patterns, regional trends, and data distributions within your analytics system. Adding a map allows you to associate datasets, survey questions, or metrics with specific regions so users can filter, compare, and analyze results geographically. Each map in VoxDash is based on GeoJSON, a standard file format used to describe geographic features such as countries, provinces, districts, or survey areas. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a new map, link it to geographic regions, and ensure it displays correctly on the platform.

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Understanding Maps in VoxDash

If your survey includes a map variable (a question that refers to a geographic region), you can use the Map Wizard to attach a map to your data project. Learn more about Survey Data Entry. By visiting the Maps page in the data provider; you can see all the maps added on VoxDash by admins or yourself. Alternatively, users can visit the Geographies page in VoxDash to review existing geographic regions, click on each map to view the details of the map, such as sub-regions and existing data related to the map in VoxDash, and download the geographies Excel file . This file contains region codes and names that can be used when setting up your Survey data before uploading it to VoxDash. You can use either the region names or the ISO codes (both included in the downloaded file). VoxDash will recognize these and generate a map for your dataset. VoxDash already includes the most common geographic maps. However, there are cases where you may need to add a new map manually, such as:

1. The map geography doesn’t exist in VoxDash.
2. The map geography exists in VoxDash but it doesn’t contain your desired sub-regions(e.g., districts or provinces).

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Search for a Country Map

Use the search bar to find maps by country name, then download the map and use it in Survey for analysis.

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Steps to add a new map

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1. Navigate to the Maps Page

Go to the Maps page by clicking on the following link: Maps Page.

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2. Add a New Map

On the Maps page, locate and click the Add Map button in the top-right corner.

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3. Provide a Name for the Map

Enter a descriptive name for your map that reflects its purpose, content, or the region it represents. This helps users identify the map easily. Example: ✅ “Kenya – Counties” (good) ❌ “Map 1” (unclear) Note: Descriptive names make it easier for users to identify and select the correct map later.

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4. Choose the Relevant Region

Select the appropriate region for your map from the dropdown list or search bar. This step ensures that the map is properly categorized and displayed with the correct geographical context.

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5. Add the GeoJSON Code

A GeoJSON file is a format for encoding geographical data structures using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). It is commonly used for representing geographic features, such as points, lines, and polygons, along with their associated attributes. You can type the GeoJSON code for the geographic data you wish to include on the map. Make sure the code is formatted correctly to ensure proper display or use this website to paste the GeoJSON code.

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6. Handle Unrecognized Geographies

If the geography you want to use does not appear in the region list, click the Add New Region option to define a new region. Define the New Region Provide a clear and accurate name for the new region. The name should properly reflect the geographical area it represents to avoid confusion. Select the Parent Region Each region in VoxDash exists within a geographical hierarchy, a structure that defines how locations relate to one another. Assigning a parent region ensures that your map fits correctly within this hierarchy, helping users filter and analyze data at different geographic levels. Understanding Region Hierarchy in VoxDash In VoxDash, geographic regions are typically arranged from larger to smaller administrative levels, for example:

• Continent (e.g, Africa)
• Country (e.g., Kenya)
• Province or State (e.g., Nairobi County)
• District or Sub-region (e.g., Westlands District)

Note: If your geographic data has more sub-regions, you can add the map in VoxDash. This hierarchy allows VoxDash to automatically:

• Aggregate data upward (e.g., from district to province).
• Filter reports and dashboards by geographic level.

Enable drill-down visualizations, where users can click from a country → province → district → local area. Add Additional Parent Regions (if applicable) If the new region falls under multiple parent regions, add each relevant parent region. This ensures that the region is correctly placed within the broader geographical structure. Add a Wikipedia Link (Optional) If a Wikipedia page exists for the region, you can include a link to provide users with additional context and information about the region.

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7. Click the Create Button

Once all required fields are filled out, click the Create button in the bottom-right corner of the page to save your map and the associated region.

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Editing Existing Maps

Once a map is created, you can view, edit, or delete it directly from the Maps page. To manage a map:

• 1. Go to the Maps page.
• 2. Click the More (⋮) menu next to the map you want to modify.

• 3.Choose one of the available options: Edit Map: Update the map’s name, parent region, or GeoJSON data.

View Regions: Open the list of all regions associated with this map. Here you can add or edit alternative names to the regions. Delete Map: Permanently remove the map from VoxDash.

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Tips for Success

• Check GeoJSON Formatting: Validate your GeoJSON file before uploading to avoid syntax or boundary errors.
• Use Consistent Names: Stick to a standard naming format for maps and regions (e.g., Country → State → City).
• Verify Parent Relationships: Ensure each region is correctly nested under its parent for accurate mapping.
• Add External Links: Linking to Wikipedia or official data sources improves credibility and context.

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Integrating Maps with Survey

After creating or downloading your map: 1. Open SPSS and import your dataset. 2. In the Data Mapping Wizard (Step 3), select your Map Variable. 3. Choose the corresponding VoxDash Map from the dropdown. 4. Match region names or ISO codes with VoxDash’s entries.

• If your dataset uses abbreviations, manually align them.

5. For responses like ‘Don’t Know’ or ‘Not Applicable,’ select ‘Don’t Map’ in VoxDash. Learn more about adding a map during survay data entry here. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll ensure that your maps and regions are added correctly, accurately categorized, and well-structured for easy use. This will help improve both the data organization and user experience.