Spatial Analysis Explained: Assign, Measure, and Aggregate Map Data
Spatial analysis answers questions based on geographic relationships: which territory contains a customer, which facility is nearest, what falls within a service radius, and how much activity belongs to each region.
This guide turns the workflow into a repeatable process and includes a live example you can inspect before using your own data.
How to use the live example
Start by scanning the overall distribution, then hover over individual points to compare their attributes. Use the legend and map controls to separate categories and inspect areas where several locations overlap. The example is intentionally small enough to understand quickly while preserving the fields needed for a realistic workflow.
Download the sample CSV below the article if you want to inspect its structure. Replace the example rows with your own locations while keeping the column headings that support the analysis. Before sharing the result, compare the number of source rows with the number of mapped points and review any location that appears outside the expected area.
Assignment and containment
Point-in-polygon analysis assigns each point to a boundary such as a ZIP code, county, service area, or sales territory. Define how points exactly on a boundary are handled and check for overlapping polygons.
After assignment, aggregate count, revenue, workload, or another numeric field by territory. Keep both the assigned territory ID and the original point ID for auditability.
Distance and proximity
Straight-line distance is appropriate for physical proximity and preliminary screening. Road distance and drive time are better for travel decisions. A buffer or radius identifies everything within a threshold; nearest-location analysis returns the closest candidate.
State the distance method and units. Ten miles by road and a ten-mile radius are different questions.
Routes and networks
Route analysis adds sequence and network constraints. The shortest route may not satisfy time windows, vehicle limits, or required stop order, so record those constraints outside the geometry itself.
Practical checklist
- Define boundary-edge behavior
- Check overlapping regions
- Choose straight-line or road distance
- Preserve source IDs
- Document routing constraints
Turn the analysis into a repeatable workflow
Document the source, owner, update cadence, and meaning of each important field. Give locations stable identifiers so refreshed data updates existing points instead of creating duplicates. Save a clean source file separately from presentation-specific edits, and record any manual corrections made after import.
A useful map should lead to a decision or next action. Name the intended audience, the question the map answers, and the threshold that would trigger a response. Revisit the map when the underlying data changes materially rather than treating the first published version as permanent.
Continue in Mapize
Use these product guides when you are ready to apply the workflow to your own map.