How can I make a classical distribution map (point-symbol map) with different symbols for different variants using Gabmap?

To make a point-symbol map in Gabmap you start by uploading a data file with only one column of data (that is, the locations in the first column and the variants in the second column of the data file). Choose categorical data as data type. When you have uploaded the data, you go to Data inspection > distribution maps and select the only item. You will see a list of the variants and Gabmap will also tell you how many different variants there are of the item. Remember this number! Now, go to Discrete clustering > cluster maps and dendrograms. At Number of clusters, you choose the same number as the number of different variants. Click Change settings. The map will be colored so that each color represents one specific variant. If you want a symbol map instead of a color map, you choose no at Use color and click Change settings.

Note that for this to work correctly there can’t be multiple variants for a single location in the data file separated by space-slash-space. If there are locations with multiple variants and you wish to display this with a separate color/symbol on the map, you can choose some other separator (for example, only slash and no spaces), which will make Gabmap treat it as one single specific variant.

Note also that Gabmap can show no more than twelve different variants.