Workflow Resources: Mapping

Mapping Resources

Put points on a map

Google My Maps, ArcGIS Online, Carto (free for students) all allow you to geocode a list of addresses or place names as well as drop points manually

Enter data in a spreadsheet to geocode

Excel or Google Sheets, then load into Google My Maps, ArcGIS Online, Carto

Do basic visualizations and calculations

Google My Maps offers the basics, ArcGIS Online offers a bit more

Do advanced visualizations and statistics

Cartoand ArcGIS Online are good web-based option, ArcGIS and QGIS are the leading desktop softwares

Enable basic interactivity

Google My Maps, ArcGIS Online, Carto, in that order, allows for basic to intermediate interactivity

Enable advanced, custom interactivity

Requires javascript-based solution like Leaflet or Mapbox

Present a narrative with a map or series of maps

Story Maps

Present a map with an animated timeline

Carto is the user-friendly option

Show a network in geographic space

Stanford's Palladio is made to do this, but it has limitations. With Carto you can create connecting lines. Alternatively, network software like Gephi can also handle geographic data.

Move your spatial data between types

Apps like Carto and ArcGIS Online allow you to load in data and export as a different data type. There are many websites (like this one) that will do this for many types of spatial files, also many command line tools (like this one).

Georectify a map image

Most turn to the full-service GIS applications, ArcGIS or QGIS. A web-based option is Map Warper.

Tile your own basemap

Can be done for free at smaller download scales through Mapbox and Map Warper

Share a map on the web

Google My Maps, ArcGIS Online, Carto, and Story Maps are the most user-friendly options, Leaflet or Mapbox for those willing to work with javascript

Prepare a map for printing

Simple maps can be created in many web apps, but for higher quality prints for publication software like ArcGIS or QGIS is recommended with potential post-editing in software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. You can consult Color Brewer for customizable advice on coloring your map.

Find spatial data to download

The GIS Librarian maintains a guide for finding spatial data. This is a good place to start!