# How to make a sales heat map from your own data

Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface.

Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sales-map-recipe
Updated: 2026-09-29

Upload your postcode figures once in Additional Data, then use Heat Maps to shade the map by those values. You can also attach the same figures to manually coloured territories and show totals in the key. Detailed postcode values can be added together for a broader postcode map.

## 1. Choose your boundaries

Choose the postcode map that gives the level of detail you need. Sector or full-postcode figures can be totalled for compatible district and area maps. Broad area totals cannot tell you the true values for individual sectors.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sales-map-recipe#sales-map-recipe--choose)

## 2. Upload and name your figures

Open Additional Data, choose My datasets, then Upload data. Drop your CSV into the upload area or choose a file. Check the sample, select the postcode column and the numerical value column, then give the dataset a meaningful name and import it. Your saved dataset can be reused on future maps in your account.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sales-map-recipe#sales-map-recipe--upload)

## 3. Colour the map by value

Open Heat Maps and choose your dataset and numerical measure. Choose how to group the values, the number of colour bands and a colour ramp. Check the preview and choose Create heat map. The resulting key explains the value ranges. Read the Heat Maps guide for the available grouping and number-format options.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sales-map-recipe#sales-map-recipe--shade)

## 4. Or show totals for your own territories

For sales teams or delivery patches, colour your territories as usual and tick the dataset in Additional Data. Its name and totals appear in the key. Reorder the additional data entries if you want the totals in a different order.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sales-map-recipe#sales-map-recipe--totals)

## 5. Check coverage and missing values

Check the matched postcodes and any partial-total warning before relying on the result. Missing data is different from a genuine zero. Compare a known area with your original spreadsheet, especially when combining more detailed postcode records into larger areas.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sales-map-recipe#sales-map-recipe--check)

## 6. Save the editable map, then download

Give the map a clear name and save it to your account. Choose a download format such as PDF for printing or PNG for a report. Check the legend and the finished file before sharing it. Account access and download availability depend on your map licence.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sales-map-recipe#sales-map-recipe--save)

## Related guides

- [Upload your postcode figures](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=data-import)
- [Heat Maps: colour areas by their values](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=heat-maps)
- [Additional Data: add your own figures](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=data)
- [Postcode areas, districts & sectors explained](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=postcode-guide)
- [How to download your map as PDF, PNG, SVG or PowerPoint](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=downloads)