Now anyone can create maps in Socrata.
Creating a Google map, Bing map or ESRI ArcGIS map in Socrata is easy. Maps can be created by the dataset owner (i.e. the publisher) or even by a casual viewer who wants to socially enrich the data by creating a map.
To create a map, follow these steps:
1. Visit www.socrata.com (or any Socrata-powered data site like Seattle’s Data Site or Medicare’s Data Site).
2. Sign in. In order to save a map, you need to be signed in.
3. Find and open a dataset containing locations.
4. Make sure the dataset has been geocoded – assigned a latitude and longitude for each of the rows.
5. Click on “Filter, Visualize & More”
6. Select “Create a Map…” from the menu.
7. Fill in the fields on the “Create a Map” form.
8. Click the “Create a Map” button
Alternatively, you can watch this 3-minute video to learn how to create maps in Socrata:
At Socrata we’re trying to make data consumable and comprehensible by the widest array of audiences. This includes visualizing data by and for mainstream consumers. Maps are a great example. Just imagine how more useful and approachable sites like data.gov would be if they allowed anyone to create maps of government data!
