Adding Multiple Tooltip Annotations in Data (Looker) Studio Google Maps

Unlike advanced BI tool like Power BI, Looker Studio only allows us to include single metrics to show on the tooltip when user hover on the map. In this tutorial, I’d be sharing simple workaround to “add” more than 1 field to Google Maps tooltip annotation. In my previous article, we’ve talked about how you can create a simple bubble map with geo coordinates: latitude and longitude.

If you have read that article, you’ve probably aware of the limitation in Google Maps, where the tooltip can only display a single dimension field. In this tutorial, I’d be sharing simple workaround to add more than 1 field to Google Maps tooltip annotation.

Customized tooltip in Google Map Data Studio.

So this is a sneak peek into what we’ll produce today. This is actually a dashboard that shows all my favourite restaurant.

 

You can see when we hover on the map, it shows us the information like restaurant name and addresses, etc. whereas previously we can only a add single field which is the restaurant name as the tooltip.

This would take less than 5 minutes to do!

Real-World Applications

In retail industry, we can use Google Maps, or to be exact Bubble Map to visualise and compare outlet performance in multiple regions. When users hover on the bubble, extra information helps management make an informed decision on business strategy. These may includes:

  • outlet manager’s name,
  • last month’s sales figures,
  • growth rate,
  • the location - whether it’s inside a shopping mall or shoplot,etc.

However, I’m well aware that adding manual label to tooltip may not be the best solution, especially when the text data becomes lengthy as we add more information.

So please do note that this is not the ONLY solution, I’m here to share the workaround I used to make the most out of Data Studio Maps.

Pre-requisites

It’s expected that you already know how to create a simple bubble map in Data Studio. If you’re in doubt, you may check out the below video tutorial.

In this video, you’ll learn basics about Bubble Map, such as how to create bubble map in Data Studio using geo coordinates,how to interact with maps, limitations, etc.

Tutorial

Adding multiple dimensions as tooltip annotations in Data Studio / Looker Studio is very simple. It would take you less than 5 min with just a simple calculated field!

Follow the steps below.

4 Simple Steps to Add Multiple Field as Google Map Tooltip. 

 

Step 1: Create Calculated Field with CONCAT() function

First, we are going to create a calculated field using CONCAT() formula.

Go to Add a Field and enter CONCAT() function; Inside the parenthesis, add the label for the first dimension you wish to show.

CONCAT ("Field 1 Label: ", Field1)

Let say I want to show label for restaurant name, then I should type “Name: ”.

Note
  • Remember to wrap the label with quotes.
  • Usually I like to add “:” (colon) and space after colon to make it looks neat.

Next, we’ll add a dimension field Shop Name to the CONCAT() function.

 

Step 2: Add a Divider

Before we add the next field, we’ll add a divider to separate the information visually so it’s easier for your users to read.

Inside the parenthesis, insert a divider text after the dimension field. You can use emojis for this to make it more eye catching.

CONCAT ("Field 1 Label: ", Field1, " | " )

In my example above, I’m using Pin (📍) emoji as the deliminiter.

 

Step 3: Add Second field to CONCAT() Function

The last step is actually to add the second field: Address, just like how we do it earlier for the Shop Name.

CONCAT ("Field 1 Label: ", Field1, " | ", "Field 2 Label: ", Field2)

It’s optional to add field label. You would notice that I did not add any field label for Address, as I think the pin emoji earlier can serve as a label for location, which in this case, addresses.

After you have add all the information you wish to see, let’s save the formula.

 

Step 4: Add Custom Tooltip Field

Now let’s drag-and-drop the calculated field to Tooltip field in Bubble Map Property Panel.

Then, switch to view mode to view the final result.

Congratulations! Now you can view more than 1 information when you hover on the bubble.

If you managed to do this and follow through, Take a screenshot and tag me on my social media account. I’d love to see what you have come out with!

See Also

More Map Visualisation Tutorial in Looker Studio!


If you’re interested to explore more about Looker Studio visualisation, feel free to follow my youtube channel and turn on the notification so that you’ll get notified when the video is up!

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