Upload and Visualize Postal Code Data in Spotzi

Learn how to upload your own postal code-level data into Spotzi and visualize it using Spotzi’s postal code boundary datasets. This guide walks you through creating custom maps from your uploaded data for clearer geographic analysis.

Remco Dolman
31 steps
4 minutes

Spotzi

Uploading your Postal Code Data

Navigate to the management tab.

Select "Upload Postal Codes" from the tool list.

Name your dashboard. Click "Add" to search for the dataset you'd like to upload.

Click "Choose File".

Select the file you would like to upload. The file must be in CSV format and must contain the following: 1. A postal code column. 2. Any additional data you would like to display or analyze at postal code level (optional). **Please note:** Each postal code must be **unique**, and may only appear once in the file. If you have multiple records for the same postal code, aggregate your data to postal code level before uploading.

The first row of your file must contain column headers. Column header names may only contain letters, numbers, and underscores (\_). Do not include any decorative rows, titles, blank rows, or other content above the headers, below the data, or between sections of the table.

Select the country and aggregation level that match your dataset. The aggregation level must correspond to the postal code format in your data. For example, data aggregated at the 4-digit postal code level cannot be uploaded to a 6-digit postal code boundary map. If you have purchased premium postal code boundaries from Spotzi, select the appropriate premium option from the dropdown menu. Free boundary options are also available through Spotzi Explorer.

Select the column in your dataset that contains postal codes.

Click "Start Import".

Click "Create dashboard"

A new dashboard will be created, and the postal codes in your CSV will be plotted on the map.

Customizing your Map Colors

Your postal code layer will be named after the dataset you uploaded. You can rename the layer at any time from the Layers panel.

You may also style your map based on your postal-code level data. Click the dropdown under "Color based on".

This dropdown lists the columns available in your dataset. You can use any column to define the styling of your map.

If you select a text column, you can assign a unique color to each value. Postal codes with matching values will be styled accordingly.

Selecting a number column allows you to style your postal codes based on numeric ranges in your data.

You can change the color palette or assign your own colors to each range or value in the styling window.

You may also click the map icon on the right side of your map to cycle through various basemaps.

Adding Labels to your Map Objects

Scroll to the bottom of your layer styling window and toggle "Labels" on.

Select the column that you would like to base your layer labels on.

The value from your selected column that's associated with each postal code will appear as a label on that postal code polygon.

Adding a Map Legend

Scroll to the bottom of your layer styling window and toggle "Legend" on.

Give your legend a title (optional). This will add a title above the legend values associated with this layer.

You may also edit your legend labels in the styling window options.

A legend with your selected settings will be visible in the bottom right corner of your map.

Compare Uploaded and Full Postal Code Data

You can overlay a complete postal code map above or below your uploaded postal code layer to compare your data distribution with the full postal code map. Click "Add layer".

Click "Spotzi Explorer" to select a postal code dashboard created directly from Spotzi's free or premium postal code data. [Create a dashboard from the Explorer Catalogue](https://scribehow.com/viewer/How_to_add_a_map_from_the_Explorer_Catalogue_into_your_WorkSpace__mlkObt9GQw2t02LuatcnqA)

Click "Add layer".

Your new postal code layer will be added to your dashboard. You can style or reorder your postal code layers in the layer panel.

Sharing your Dashboard

You can share your filtered or customized dashboard through a publicly accessible link. This enables others to view your dashboard and use it as a reference or presentation tool. Click the dashboard name to open the dashboard settings.

Enable "Public Dashboard" under the "Share" section. A view-only dashboard link will appear. Anyone with this link can view the dashboard in a read-only mode without needing to sign in to a Spotzi account.