Get Started #4: Creating a Map with Data from a Snowflake Table ​

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to creating a map in Honeycomb Data Explorer using data from a Snowflake table. Watch the video or follow along with the step-by-step instructions below.

The Airbnb sample data used in the video is available for download here: https://docs.honeycombmaps.com/data/airbnb_data.csv. The data is sourced from Inside Airbnb and used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Step-by-Step Guide ​

1. Selecting a Snowflake Table ​

On the Honeycomb welcome screen, select a Snowflake table from the left-hand side. Note that tables are displayed with alias strings due to technical limitations.

2. Identifying the Correct Table Based on the Alias ​

1. Copy the provided query to identify the relationship between the table aliases and the actual table names.
2. Open a worksheet in the Snowflake UI.
3. Paste the query and run it to see the references.
4. Match the alias string from Honeycomb to the actual table name, schema, and database.

3. Examining the Data ​

1. Perform a SELECT * LIMIT 10 query to understand the data's structure.
2. Identify key columns such as categorical columns, numeric columns, and latitude and longitude columns.

4. Loading the Data into Honeycomb ​

1. Click on the identified table in Honeycomb to load the data.
2. Wait for the data to load. Honeycomb loads data upfront to enable fast aggregations & filtering.

5. Editing the Map ​

1. Open the Edit Map sidebar.
2. Rename the data source to something recognizable (e.g., "London Airbnb Data").

6. Managing Map Layers ​

1. Hide the default point layer to avoid clutter.
2. Add a new map layer:
   • Choose the honeycomb (H3) layer for aggregating data.
   • Select the data source.
   • Choose H3 field and count ID for the measure field.

7. Adding Components ​

1. Add a Title Component:

• Click Add Component.
• Select Title Card and place it on the left side.
• Name the map (e.g., "Rental Flats in London").

1. Add a Bar Chart Component:

• Click Add Component.
• Select Bar Chart and place it on the right side.
• Choose the Airbnb data source and select a categorical dimension (e.g., type of rental).
• Count ID for the measure field.
• Add a Legend Component to switch between map layers:
• Rename layers for clarity (e.g., "Property Density" and "Property Locations").

8. Customizing Map Appearance ​

1. Adjust the point layer settings:

• Reduce the radius for better visibility.
• Use a color scheme to differentiate data points (e.g., color by price).

9. Exploring Additional Features ​

• Optionally, add more components like a histogram chart for further analysis.
• Switch between light and dark mode..

10. Saving and Sharing ​

The next tutorial will cover how to save the map and share it with others.