Fix Missing or Overlapping Regions in Excel Map Charts
Question details
Users need to correct Map Charts that are improperly displaying geographic regions with missing boundaries or overlapping areas.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating or viewing a geographic Map Chart to visualize regional data, such as provinces in Italy.
- Observed behavior
- The Map Chart temporarily displays regions incorrectly with missing or overlapping areas, and changing region names or map projections does not fix the issue.
Ensure your device is connected to the internet, as Excel Map Charts require an active connection to the Bing Maps service to properly download and plot geographic boundaries.
Update Microsoft 365 and Recreate the Map Chart
Since this specific regional mapping issue is caused by a known bug in Excel's map data, applying the latest Microsoft 365 update is the official and most effective solution.
Microsoft identified a temporary issue with Bing Maps integration affecting regional map data, particularly for Italian regions. This bug caused boundaries to overlap or disappear entirely regardless of the map projection used.
The issue has been resolved in subsequent Microsoft 365 updates, so bringing your Office application up to date is required.
Open Microsoft Excel. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' (or 'Office Account') from the bottom of the left sidebar.
Under the 'Product Information' section, click on 'Update Options' and select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu.
Wait for the updates to download and apply. Once complete, close and reopen Microsoft Excel.
Delete the original Map Chart. Highlight your data range again, go to the 'Insert' tab, and click 'Maps' > 'Filled Map' to generate a fresh chart with the corrected regional data.
Verify Data Formatting and Geographic Hierarchy
If updating Excel does not completely resolve the issue, you may need to adjust how your geographic locations are named and structured in your spreadsheet.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Visualization
If Excel's map chart bugs are delaying your workflow, consider using WPS Office. WPS Spreadsheet is a highly compatible, free alternative that offers powerful charting and data visualization tools without the overhead of heavy software updates.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free software suite.
- 2. Open Your Data: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and click 'Open' to load your existing Excel workbook containing your regional data.
- 3. Create Visualizations: Select your data range, navigate to the 'Insert' tab, and choose from a variety of reliable charts to visualize your information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Excel Map Chart show grey areas instead of colors?
Grey areas indicate that Bing Maps could not match the location name provided in your data. Check your spelling and consider adding a higher-level geographic identifier, like a Country column, to help Excel locate the correct region.
Can I use Map Charts offline in Excel?
No, Excel Map Charts require an active internet connection to communicate with the Bing Maps service, which provides the geographic mapping data needed to render the chart accurately.
Is there a way to fix overlapping regions without updating Excel?
While changing the Map Projection settings in the Format Data Series pane can occasionally alter the view, known mapping bugs (such as the overlapping Italian regions) require installing the official Microsoft 365 update to permanently fix the underlying data issue.
