How Do I Use Fields from a Geography Layer to Track Territories?

By /

Last Updated: June 11, 2025

You can use fields from a base geography layer to track your territories by using GIS mapping software.

Geography layers—such as 5-Digit ZIP Codes and counties—are commonly used to summarize and visualize customer data. By properly setting up fields like customer counts or sales totals, you can enable dynamic tracking within territory layers, making it easier to monitor and update your results as your source data changes.

Table of Contents

Quick Method: Import Tracking Fields from File

Instead of creating and filling fields manually, you can:

  • Use or create a table of your sales data (e.g., a list of all your customers, along with a column for ZIP Code) and any other fields you want to track.
  • When creating a territory via the wizard, go to the Tracking Fields dialog:
    • Click the add icon and select Import Fields from File > Select your summary table and the fields you want to import.
  • When your data changes:
    • Click the settings/gear icon > select Territory Settings > Remove the added fields > Click on the add/plus sign and select Import Fields from File to upload the updated data.

Manual Method: Create and Aggregate Fields

Follow these steps to track territory metrics using fields from your base geography layer. This method offers more control and is better suited when your customer data resides entirely within Maptitude or when you need to perform detailed aggregations from point-level data.

Step 1: Download and Install Software

Step 2: Adding Fields into ZIP Code Layer

  • Create a new map of your customers.
  • Open the ZIP Code layer: Right click the 5-Digit ZIP Code layer and select New Dataview
  • Add two new fields: Right click the dataview > click on Add Field twice > Name the first added field Customer Count and set the type to Integer (2 bytes) > Name the other field Sales and set the type to Real (4 bytes).

Step 3: Change Aggregation Settings for New Fields

  • Click on Aggregation > scroll down to the two added fields > Tick Add.
  • Confirm the addition of your fields by clicking OK > Yes.

Step 4: Aggregate to Fill the New Fields with Customer Data

  • Scroll to the right of the dataview to see your added fields.
  • Right click the Customer Count > Select Fill.
  • Select the Aggregate radio button.
  • For the Layer dropdown, select your customer layer > For the Fill with dropdown menu, select Count > OK.
  • Right click the Sales > Select Fill.
  • Select the Aggregate radio button.
  • For the Layer dropdown, select your customer layer > For the Fill with dropdown menu, select Total > select your sales column for the drop down that appears to the right > OK.

Step 5: Create a Territory Layer and Add Tracking Fields

  • If you don’t already have a territory layer:
    • Create one using Map > New Territory Layer… based on ZIP Codes. Follow the steps in the Territory Wizard.
  • In the Tracking Fields dialog:
    • Click the add icon and select Add Geography Layer Fields.
    • You should now see your new fields (Customer Count, Sales) listed. Click and highlight both and select OK.
  • When your customer data changes:
    • Re-run Step 4.
    • In the territory manager, click the settings/gear icon and select Check for Differences to refresh your territory metrics.

Note: If the aggregation method is set to Average, the fields will not appear as available tracking fields. This is by design. For details, see: “Creating New Geographic Files” in Maptitude Help.

Why Use Geography Layer Fields in Territories?

Adding fields such as Customer Count or Sales to a geography layer allows you to use them as tracking fields in territory analysis. This lets you:

  • Compare performance across territories
  • Dynamically update figures when the customer dataset changes
  • Avoid redundant calculations by leveraging built-in Add aggregation

Using these features helps sales, marketing, and service teams make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Conclusion

Using geography layer fields as tracking metrics in territory analysis is a powerful way to monitor and manage regional performance. Whether you import them from a file or create and fill them manually, the key is to set the Aggregation Method to Sum.

For more information on creating territories, see this video tutorial on creating territories.

Download a free mapping software trial of Maptitude Desktop or use your existing license.

Scroll to Top
Maptitude Support Chat
▼