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Creating a simple UK map of deprivation
Louise Corti, UK Data Service. October 2017
Create a working folder called Lab_session_17Oct2017
1. Data sources
a. IMD
We are going to use the Index of Multiple Deprivation for England, freely available in Excel format
from DCLG. Go to Department for Communities and Local Government English indices of
deprivation, 30 September 2015. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english‐indices‐of‐
deprivation‐2015
Download the Excel file here:
File_1_ID_2015_Index_of_Multiple_Deprivation.xls (the fifth listed item)
b. Boundary file
In order to create map we need a boundaries file (digital vector boundaries). One common format is
called SHAPE file or .shp. One for UK local authority or census output areas for the UK is freely
available.
Go the ONS geoportal site
http://geoportal.statistics.gov.uk/datasets/lower‐layer‐super‐output‐areas‐december‐2001‐full‐
clipped‐boundaries‐in‐england‐and‐wales
Find the box with:
Lower Layer Super Output Areas (December 2011) Generalised Clipped Boundaries in England and
Wales
Click on download the Shapefile (it’s a zip) (left hand drop down menu):
Lower_Layer_Super_Output_Areas_December_2011_Super_Generalised_Clipped__Boundaries_in
_England_and_Wales. zip
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Open the zip file and keep the .shp file
Lower_Layer_Super_Output_Areas_December_2011_Generalised_Clipped__Boundaries_in_Engla
nd_and_Wales.shp
2. Using Tableau Public
From your own computer open the local copy of Tableau Public
First we need to link to our 2 data sources
Depending on your entry screen use ‘Connect to a file’ or Data> New Data Source
Choose Excel and select from your browser window the Excel file,
File_1_ID_2015_Index_of_Multiple_Deprivation.xls and open
Data> New Data Source
Next the word Connections on the left hand side menu click on Add
Choose the Spatial file and select from your browser window the SHAPE file,
Lower_Layer_Super_Output_Areas_December_2011_Super_Generalised_Clipped__Boundaries_in
_England_and_Wales. shp and open
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You will be presented by some option to join. Click on the first circles option of Inner
From the left hand column dropdown list ‘Data source’ choose LSOA code (2011)
Then choose in the right hand column dropdown list choose Lsoa11Cd
And here is a spreadsheet of your 2 linked files. Note that columns 1 and 8 should be matched and
IDENTICAL on Lower Layer Super Output area code
Rename the second of the columns called ‘Index of Multiple Deprivation…’ to ‘IMD Decile’ by right
clicking on the column name.
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`3. Creating a map
Now we can start making our a map.
Click on Sheet1 at the bottom of the screen
Choose the field Geometry from the left hand menu and drag onto the main screen
Now drag the field IMD Decile onto the colours button
Now click on the highlighted SUM (IMD Decile) and change to Dimension
Click on the Colour button to edit colours e.g. to Red‐Gold
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Show full screen
You can highlight IMD = 10 and select those only areas, thus showing the most deprived area in the
UK.
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To keep the work, save the file using File>Save As a Tableau workbook. You can also save to the
Tableau Public server, but may need to extract the data first, using the Data >Extract feature.
An example of a chart I created earlier. I can view my map on my Tableau Public (logged in) by
clicking View as I hover over the thumbnail image