# Configure plot mapping

When you use the Plot Map feature, keep the number of records you plot to a sensible amount. Many records slow the plotting process.

Once you have made your selection, drag the **Map** tool onto it.

> [!NOTE]
>
> You can rename the layer to something appropriate and change the Map Type to **Plot Map**.

Add one or more of the following variables to the plot map layer. Typically, you add the most detailed data item (such as the postcode) as the Geographic field, and add the other fields as additional variables.

## Geographic variables

FastStats only uses fields for geocoding that have a description or geoformat of:

- Longitude
- Latitude
- Zip
- Postcode
- Address
- Country

If you populate Longitude and Latitude, FastStats doesn't need to perform geocoding.

> [!NOTE]
>
> It's best to include a Country field to enable better evaluation of postcodes between potential duplicates.

If you have named these variables differently in your FastStats system, you can use Expressions to create Virtual Variables. Use these names as the description. If you don't have them with these descriptions, plotting doesn't work.

For example, drag the **Postcode** variable onto the Geographic Variable. Then drag the **Address** variable and **Country** variable onto the Additional Variables.

## Building the plot map

Select **Build**, and the Plot Pushpins appear on the map.