With a 3D Map, you can plot geographical data and view it on a 3D globe or custom map. If your data is time-stamped, you can even use a 3D Map to get a geographical tour of how your data changes over time. To create a 3D Map, your data must be in table format, and each row or column must include at least one geographical value. In this tip, we demonstrate how you can use 3D Maps to create a geographical tour of your data. Applies To: Microsoft  Excel  2016.

1. On the Insert tab, in the Tours group, click 3D Map, and then select Open 3D Maps.

2. Drag fields from the Field List into the appropriate lists in the Data  tab. Place the values by which you want to visualize your data in the Height list, fields by which you want to categorize your data in the Category list, and, if you want to see your data animated over time, place the time or date field in the Time list.

3. On the Home tab, in the Tour group, click  Play Tour.

When you click the Play Tour button, 3D Map automatically hides the Tour Editor and Layer panes along with the Time Line control and plays the animation. When you're finished watching the animation, return to the regular editing view by clicking Go Back to Edit View. Click the Close button in the far-right corner of the 3D Map title bar to close it and return to your Excel worksheet.