# Getting Started

Vista is a tool designed for geospatial data visualisation and analysis. This guide will help you get started creating visualisations.

### 1. Data Portal

You can manage your data from the datasets page. This allows creating folders, uploading data and deleting data.

Read more about [adding data to Vista](/user-guide/datasets.md).

### 2. Create a Session

To create a working session, select one or more datasets, click the "Actions" button in the top right and then "Open in Vista".

### 3. Add Filters

<figure><img src="/files/HZieo8I9UeXFi1pPHsLy" alt=""><figcaption><p>Dataset filtering</p></figcaption></figure>

Add filters to your map to limit the data that is displayed. Filters must be based on the columns in your dataset. To create a new filter, click + Filter next to your dataset in the datasets tab. Filters can be added for numerical or text columns.

Learn more about [filters](/user-guide/filters.md).

### 4. Layers

<figure><img src="/files/9roMGAMiiY14EWEcl6BL" alt=""><figcaption><p>Layers</p></figcaption></figure>

Layers can be added by clicking + Layer. A number of layer types can be selected, including GeoJSON, Difference, Pie Chart and Filter.

Layer symbology can be edited within each layer dropdown. Customisations include stroke and fill colours, stroke widths, stroke offset, labelling and more.

Learn more about [Layers](/user-guide/layers.md).

### 5. Map Settings

<figure><img src="/files/iHzQojZTyTqQKIlRmkYA" alt=""><figcaption><p>Map Settings</p></figcaption></figure>

Tooltips for each layer can be set in the map settings.

Global attributes can be toggled on or off. Turning on global attributes ensures the same data range is used for applying colour scales and widths across all datasets.

Learn more about [Map Settings](/user-guide/map-settings.md).

### 6. Map Style

<figure><img src="/files/lZnp51TncgMDAI9uwCvH" alt=""><figcaption><p>Map style</p></figcaption></figure>

A range of base map styles are available for selection.

### 7. Saving a Session

<figure><img src="/files/b70MNYLoKpmHboJUR2r4" alt=""><figcaption><p>Saving a session</p></figcaption></figure>

Working sessions can be saved by clicking the save session button in the top right of the side panel.

### 8. Session Management and Map Sharing

<figure><img src="/files/GPd6wHke1D4GxvjkWzAn" alt=""><figcaption><p>Session management</p></figcaption></figure>

Sessions can be managed through the sessions page in the portal.

Session details such as the name, a unique id, creation time and the data files used are listed.

A shared map can be generated by turning on the shared map toggle.\
A title and description can be added, as well as an optional password.\
Sessions can be edited and worked on without impacting the shared map. The shared map can be manually synced with the session by clicking the sync button (next to the shared map toggle). The timestamp of the last sync is shown.

Learn more about [Sessions](/user-guide/sessions.md)[ and Sharing Maps](/user-guide/sessions.md).


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