What this helps you see
Understand movement, inflow and outflow
A practical use case
Connect trade-route origins and destinations using a common flow unit and an explicit direction.
Free example data and exact column mapping
The figure uses the downloadable CSV with the exact column mapping below. Public snapshots retain their data notes and transformations. Constructed teaching scenarios are identified in the method notes; they are not customer results. Editorial layouts may combine comparisons from the same records.
The free example contains 12 observations and these columns: Origin, Destination, Value. Keep the header row and preserve one observation per row. The table below shows the first records; the CSV retains the full example.
Constructed route-weight scenario on Natural Earth country-centre geography.
| Origin | Destination | Value |
|---|---|---|
| USA | CHN | 82 |
| USA | DEU | 54 |
| CHN | IDN | 65 |
| CHN | IND | 76 |
| DEU | IND | 43 |
| JPN | USA | 58 |
How to use it in Datamon
- Sign in with Google, create a visualization and import the free CSV in Data. Check numeric columns, date order, decimal separator and missing values against the example table.
- In Visualize, choose Flow map. Connect the required columns exactly as listed below, then inspect at least two marks against the data. Optional roles are available only when the chosen type exposes them.
- Keep the observation unit and reporting period explicit. Select the figure size before adjusting text, and check the chart at the size your reader will see.
Column mapping
- Flow value
- Value
- Origin
- Origin
- Destination
- Destination
How to read the example
Compare positions and values with the table, then inspect the legend or size encoding where used. A visual pattern is a description of the displayed observations. It does not by itself identify a cause, justify extrapolation, or repair missing data.
Refine and export the result
In Refine, edit the title, subtitle, axis descriptions, source and supported series settings. Use color to identify a comparison rather than to decorate every mark. Export SVG, PNG, JPEG, PDF or PowerPoint and inspect the actual file; save an editable project backup for revisions.
Limits and common mistakes
Match the geographic unit before reading color, size or density. Administrative boundaries, coordinates and origin–destination routes describe different record types. Inspect unmatched regions, coordinate order, denominators and no-data areas, then document the chosen geography.
This visualization is listed as stable in the current Datamon capability registry. Check its actual field requirements and supported controls; stable status does not make every chart option available on every representation.
What is free and what needs an account?
Reading this guide and downloading its CSV and chart images are free. Datamon currently has no paid checkout or subscription plans in this deployment. Creating and saving an editable visualization requires Google sign-in. Provider-backed AI, cloud analysis, publishing and video depend on configured services; this guide does not promise unlimited free connected services.
Questions before you start
Can I visualize flow map with a free example?
Yes. The CSV and preview images on this page are free to download. Follow the field mapping and steps above. Sign in to create and save the editable project; connected-service availability is separate.
Can I replace the example with my own data?
Yes. Preserve the observation unit and the required numeric, category or geographic fields. Recompute any derived values, update the unit and source, and compare the output with known rows before sharing.
Sources and further reading
Report a correction or an access barrier: Email the editorial contact.
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