# How to use Vector maps in Tableau Desktop 2019.2 and newer.

> This is content from just-tim, the data-and-analytics channel by Tim Ngwena (formerly 'Tableau Tim'). Tim has 12+ years of hands-on BI experience and covers Tableau most of all, plus Power BI, Looker, Hex, SQL and data modelling, the analytics industry, and the craft of doing the job — always tool-agnostic and honest about the trade-offs.

- **Author:** Tim Ngwena (just-tim, https://just-tim.com/about)
- **Published:** 2020-01-10
- **Format:** Video · 5 min watch · transcript available
- **Topics:** Data visualisation
- **Tools:** Tableau (maps)
- **Canonical:** https://just-tim.com/posts/how-to-use-vector-maps-in-tableau-desktop-2019-2-and-newer
- **Watch:** https://www.youtu.be/sSGESiQVkj4

I demonstrate the vector maps feature introduced in Tableau 2019.2 by comparing it side by side with 2019.1. I show how vector rendering loads map layers smoothly without reloading tiled images, how zooming is faster, and walk through the new vector map styles including the satellite background option.

## Key takeaways

- Pre-2019.2 maps loaded individual tiled images for each segment, causing the mosaic-style reload you see when adding layers or zooming.
- Vector maps transmit and compute the mathematical information to draw the map, so adding or hiding layers renders instantly without re-fetching images.
- Zooming with vector maps is smoother and progressively reveals detail like roads, waterways, street markings and building footprints as you zoom in.
- Tableau 2019.2 adds three new vector map styles, an outdoor style geared towards sports, and a satellite style that overlays vector information on a satellite background.

## Chapters

- 0:00 Vector versus tiled map rendering
- 1:43 How vector maps work
- 2:11 Smoother zooming compared
- 3:07 New vector map styles
- 4:11 Satellite map style

Watch the full video, read the transcript and use chapter deep-links on the page: https://just-tim.com/posts/how-to-use-vector-maps-in-tableau-desktop-2019-2-and-newer

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just-tim — Data and analytics, with a point of view. · https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HYxRWmaNlJux-X7rNLZyw · https://twitter.com/TableauTim · https://www.linkedin.com/in/timngwena