Flow Layer

The Flow Layer is an effective way of visualizing origin-destination movement patterns. Flows are a great choice for analyzing traffic flows, commute patterns, and migrations.

An example of the Flow Layer.

An example of the Flow Layer.

Settings

The following sections detail every setting available for the Flow Layer.

Basic

Core settings for the Flow Layer.

SettingDescription
Layer TypeMust be Flow to display the Flow Layer.
DatasetThe dataset to use for the Flow Layer.
ColumnsColumns to use for the Flow Layer. Must fill the required fields of Lat/Lng or H3 Hexagons.
Lat/LngSpecify a pair of source/target latitude and longitude columns. Optionally, include a count (used for weighting points), as well as a Source Name and Target Name.
H3 HexagonsSpecify a pair of source/target H3 columns. Optionally, include a Source Name and Target Name.

Color

Color settings for the Flow Layer.

SettingDescription
Color PaletteThe color scale and palette for the Flow color.
Dark Base MapEnable to increase visibility on a dark base map.
OpacityThe opacity of the flows. 100 = fully opaque, 0 = fully transparent.

Fade

Fade setting for the Flow Layers.

SettingDescription
Fade ToggleEnable to fade smaller flows.
FadeSlide to fade smaller flows.
Left: Fade = 0; Right: Fade = 30.

Left: Fade = 0; Right: Fade = 30.

Display

Additional display settings for the Flow Layer.

SettingDescription
AnimationAnimates the Flow Layer.
FlowingGroups nearby source/target points. Increases visibility and adapts as you zoom in and out.
Location TotalsCreate a new location totals circle at each flow Flow, its size based on the number of flows in and out of the location.
Adaptive ScalingAdjusts flow thickness based on flows inside the current viewport. When disabled, flow thickness is based on all flows on the map.
Max Top Flows to Show AliderSlide to increase/decrease the max number of flows displayed.

Charts

The Flow Layer supports Tooltip Charts. Using the Tooltip Chart with the Flow Layer, you can display chart metrics in the mouse-over tooltip. This allows users to interactively explore the top origins and destinations for any given point on the map.

Follow these steps to create a Flow Layer chart:

1. Create a Flow Layer, then click Show Charts.

2. Click Add Chart, then select Tooltip Chart.

3. A chart of the flows will automatically generate. Click Chart Settings to configure the Tooltip Chart.

A Flow Chart showing Chicago rideshare data.

A Flow Chart showing Chicago rideshare data.

The charts will update to the viewport when zooming to show the Flowed locations for the current zoom level.

Chart Settings

SettingDescription
TitleTitle of the Tooltip Chart.
LayerLayer to represent in the chart.
Field and AggregationThe type of information to display (based on the layer selected).
Show in TooltipIf enabled, displays chart metrics in the mouse-over tooltip.
Include Internal FlowsIf enabled, includes internal flow data in the chart metrics.

JSON Schema

For details on how to programmatically specify layer properties, refer to the Layer Configuration specification.