How to Create a Heat Map with Territories?

Last Updated: December 19, 2025

You can create heat maps in Maptitude mapping software using custom territory layers to visualize data grouped by sales regions, service areas, or other user-defined boundaries. While heat maps are often created using standard geographies such as ZIP Codes or census areas, Maptitude also allows you to generate heat map-style thematic maps directly from territory layers. In this guide, we will walk through how to create a heat map using territories in Maptitude by adjusting territory display settings and applying a color theme.

Table of Contents

1. Download and Install Software
2. Prepare the Territory Layer
3. Create a Heat Map Using a Color Theme

Step 1 Download and Install Software

1. Download and install a free trial of Maptitude mapping software, or use your licensed copy of desktop Maptitude.

Step 2: Prepare the Territory Layer

Before applying a heat map, you must adjust the display settings of your territory layer so the color theme can be shown correctly.

1. Load the workspace containing the territory layer you want to use or build a territory map using the Territory Wizard. Make sure the field you want to base the heat map on is added as a tracking field. 
2. Open the territory layer’s settings and go to the Map tab.
3. Change the territory fill option to None, then click OK.

Removing the fill allows you to add a color theme to the territories, creating the heat map effect.

Step 3: Create a Heat Map Using a Color Theme

Once the territory layer is prepared, you can apply a color theme to generate a heat map.

1. Set the territory layer as the working layer
2. Click the Color Theme icon on the toolbar.
3. Choose the field you want to visualize, such as sales totals, case counts, or customer volume.
4. Select a light-to-dark color ramp to represent low-to-high values.
5. Click OK to apply the color theme to your territories.

Your territories will now be shaded based on data intensity, producing a heat map-style visualization grouped by territory.

Tips and Notes

• This method will rely on you having tracking fields for your layer. Without the tracking fields, the color theme will only be able to run on the area field.
• You can refine the heat map by adjusting classification methods and break values in the Color Theme settings.

Conclusion

Creating a heat map using territories in Maptitude allows you to visualize patterns and performance across custom-defined regions. By preparing the territory layer and applying a color theme, you can quickly identify high- and low-performing areas and make more informed business, planning, or operational decisions.