Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Get Fabric Certified for FREE during Fabric Data Days. Don't miss your chance! Request now

Reply
orangeatom
Resolver I
Resolver I

Shape Map (USA/CAN) by Zipcode?

I am looking to visualize my data using a map visual in Power BI and my options are as follows and a note about the experience.

 

Dataset, Zip code data for USA & Canada

 

Filled Map (Bing Maps) - Great tool, looks good, visually what I want however performance is terrible!

ArcGIS Map (Esri Maps) - Reasonable alternative however not quite the same experience, Bubbles don't work as well as the "area", and conditional formating is not possible?

Shape Map - Would be VERY interested in this becuase the data is contained in the model however who would know where i can get a zip code version for USA & Canada?

 

Thanks!

4 REPLIES 4
v-cherch-msft
Microsoft Employee
Microsoft Employee

Hi @orangeatom

 

Here are some articles about shape map for your reference.

http://radacad.com/shape-map-better-than-the-filled-map

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Zip-code-map-on-PBI/td-p/516801

 

Regards,

Cherie

Community Support Team _ Cherie Chen
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Thank you to both, the Cartographic dataset is good however following the tutorial on producing a TopoJson out of it doesn't work. An errors is created (Perhaps file is too large?)

 

Are there any options to optimize the Bing map or any additional options on sourcing a Zipcode shape map?

Anonymous
Not applicable

What was the solution, if any, to implementing a shape map by US zip code?

tachydidaxy
Helper I
Helper I

Is this useful?

 

Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles - ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs)

"The cartographic boundary files are simplified representations of selected geographic areas from the Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER geographic database. These boundary files are specifically designed for small scale thematic mapping.

Generalized boundary files are clipped to a simplified version of the U.S. outline. As a result, some off-shore areas may be excluded from the generalized files."

https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/cbf/cbf_zcta.html

 

 

Helpful resources

Announcements
November Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - November 2025

Check out the November 2025 Power BI update to learn about new features.

Fabric Data Days Carousel

Fabric Data Days

Advance your Data & AI career with 50 days of live learning, contests, hands-on challenges, study groups & certifications and more!

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.

Top Solution Authors
Top Kudoed Authors