Forum Discussion
Shape Map Visualization - working with Body Chart
Hi jerryr125,
Thanks for the follow-up question.Microsoft documentation confirms that Power BI Shape Maps only support custom TopoJSON files containing polygon or multipolygon geometry. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/power-bi/visuals/power-bi-map-visualizations-overview
Adobe Illustrator can only export SVG files and cannot convert them to GeoJSON/TopoJSON. For Power BI Shape Maps, the SVG must be converted using a GIS tool that outputs Polygon or MultiPolygon geometry. A commonly used and reliable option is Mapshaper which is already suggested by the community member JamieHolding, which allows you to upload the SVG, visually confirm closed and filled shapes, and export directly to GeoJSON (and TopoJSON if needed).
After conversion, please ensure the GeoJSON contains only Polygon/MultiPolygon types and that region names exactly match your Power BI data (case-sensitive). Once validated, the file should render correctly in the Shape Map visual.
Thanks again for using the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
Hi
Thanks for the detailed update, that really helps clarify where things are getting stuck.
The key point here is that Adobe Illustrator can only produce a clean SVG, but it cannot generate GeoJSON or TopoJSON directly. That conversion step must be done using a separate tool. Shape Map in Power BI is very strict and only renders polygon-based geometry, so even though the SVG looks correct visually, it still needs to be converted and validated as Polygon or MultiPolygon data before Power BI can display it.
The recommended next steps are export the SVG from Illustrator using Save As → SVG (ensuring all body parts are filled, closed paths with unique names and no strokes or effects). Then, open that SVG in a conversion tool and first export it to GeoJSON so you can validate the geometry. When you open the GeoJSON file, each body part should appear as "type": "Polygon" or "MultiPolygon" with a matching property name. If any part comes through as a line or stroke, Shape Map will not render it. Once the GeoJSON is confirmed as polygon-based, convert it to TopoJSON, import it into the Shape Map visual, and bind your data column to the matching region names (case-sensitive).
Thanks again for using the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
Hi - Thank you for the feedback and follow-up.
The question now becomes - what is a good conversion tool to convert the file from SVG to GeoJSON ?
Any assistance is appreciated - thanks - Jerry
Hi jerryr125,
Thanks for the follow-up question.Microsoft documentation confirms that Power BI Shape Maps only support custom TopoJSON files containing polygon or multipolygon geometry. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/power-bi/visuals/power-bi-map-visualizations-overview
Adobe Illustrator can only export SVG files and cannot convert them to GeoJSON/TopoJSON. For Power BI Shape Maps, the SVG must be converted using a GIS tool that outputs Polygon or MultiPolygon geometry. A commonly used and reliable option is Mapshaper which is already suggested by the community member JamieHolding, which allows you to upload the SVG, visually confirm closed and filled shapes, and export directly to GeoJSON (and TopoJSON if needed).
After conversion, please ensure the GeoJSON contains only Polygon/MultiPolygon types and that region names exactly match your Power BI data (case-sensitive). Once validated, the file should render correctly in the Shape Map visual.
Thanks again for using the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
Hi jerryr125,
Just checking in to see if the issue has been resolved on your end. If the earlier suggestions helped, that’s great to hear! And if you’re still facing challenges, feel free to share more details happy to assist further.Thank you.
Hi jerryr125,
Just wanted to follow up. If the shared guidance worked for you, that’s wonderful hopefully it also helps others looking for similar answers. If there’s anything else you'd like to explore or clarify, don’t hesitate to reach out.Thank you.