Custom Color Selection for Map Points

Question

Why am I forced to use the color ramp for my points within my map? I am mapping open/closed offices and the standard map in Power BI allows me to use green for open and red for closed. That color combo is not even an option, as standard as that seems. I finally settle for the "Ocean Bay" ramp and I cannot switch between which colors are used for the values. This is very disappointing since I thought I would have way more functionality with this service. Is there a way to use custom color codes or swap the values of ramp colors?

NaZhang_Esri · Answer

Hi @ShawnBarwick,

Thanks for your question! We use smart mapping when mapping the data so that's why you see the automatically assigned layer styling.  Yes, you can customize the color you want. I assume you add the open/closed data to the Color field well, right? If that's the case, go to Layers and choose Symbology. Under Symbology, select Types for Symbol type. Go to Style options and expand Unique values. Here's the place where you can customize what you want to see on the map. If you click on the colored circle, it will popup a window to allow you to customize your feature. You can change the shape, size and color you like plus the outline.

(Here I changed to Red and Green for the points for demo use only. 😜 )

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have more questions or concerns.

And thanks @Ian_Muehlenhaus on the color suggestion and education!

Thank you!

Ian_Muehlenhaus · Answer

Thanks for your question.

I can't speak to the color ramp options available. Sorry for your frustration.

However, as a cartographer, I can shed light on why you aren't seeing a red-green option by default. It's a fact that remains largely unknown, so I'll mention it here to hopefully help spread the word.

All map and data visualization research based on human cognition insists you should never use red and green together as thematic colors. 12% of all males across the globe will simply be unable to read or even interpret a map or chart that uses red and green due to red-green color blindness.

This is an issue with traffic lights as well, obviously. However, with traffic lights, the 12% of males suffering from color blindness can use position – top, middle, bottom – to interpret what to do. This is impossible on a map or chart.

In sum: try to avoid red and green data visualizations at all costs. They are unintelligible for a large part of the population. 👍