Q1 2024

New features and improvements introduced from January to March 2024

Preview Builder maps during edition

March 31st, 2024

New Builder

This new feature simplifies the map-making process by letting Editor users switch seamlessly between editing and previewing. With Preview mode, these users can easily see how the map will look like to viewers, allowing them to review and refine it before sharing. This smooth workflow ensures that maps are well-presented and meet the highest standards of clarity and effectiveness.

Additionally we've enhanced our map-sharing functionality to deliver a smoother and more intuitive experience. This update focuses on streamlining the process of sharing maps with others, ensuring a more seamless interaction. Dive into the details of these improvements in our documentation.

Introducing: deck.gl v9

March 27th, 2024

New CARTO for Developers

A new major version of deck.gl is out. deck.gl is the open-source visualization library that powers all CARTO visualizations, and one of the main components of CARTO for Developers.

For a complete changelog, visit the official deck.gl what's new.
To address breaking changes, read the official deck.gl upgrade guide. Changes in the CARTO module are also addressed there.
We have also published a complete set of new examples using CARTO + deck.gl.

We're very happy to see CARTO joining efforts with many other contributors from the vis.gl and OpenJS Foundation communities. Read more about this release in the CARTO blog.

Support for scheduling the execution of workflows

March 21st, 2024

New Workflows

With this new capability, analytical pipelines created with Workflows can be scheduled so they are executed on a specific period:

Hours: The workflow will be executed every X hours, at o'clock times.
Days: The workflow will be executed every day at a specific time.
Weeks: The workflow will be executed weekly, on a specific day, at a specific time.
Months: The workflow will be executed monthly, on a specific day, at a specific time.
Custom: Use a custom expression to define the schedule.

CARTO leverages native scheduling capabilities on each data warehouse to provide this functionality in all CARTO Data Warehouse, BigQuery, Snowflake and PostgreSQL connections.

Support for private embedding of CARTO Builder maps

March 14th, 2024

Improvements Builder

Maps created with CARTO Builder can now be embedded anywhere — even when they're not shared publicly. With private embedding you can restrict and maintain control over who can view these maps when embedded on web pages or apps.

To leverage private embedding simply share your map with the organization or with the specific groups you want to share the map with. These users need to be previously logged-in to CARTO to view the embedded map. Learn more at our Embedding maps documentation.

New Workflows components for low-code geospatial analytics

February 29th, 2024

New Workflows

During the last few weeks, we’ve been progressively adding new and improved components in CARTO Workflows:

Case When component for supporting column values based on conditional expressions.
Edit Schema component (replacing Refactor Columns): clean schemas, rename and cast columns.
Added ‘Append’ mode to Save as Table.
Added ‘Maximum distance’ setting to K-Nearest Neighbors.
Added Extract from JSON for extracting values from JSON columns using the native syntax from each data warehouse.
Added ‘Mode’ setting to H3 Polyfill and Quadbin Polyfill components.
Subdivide to split larger geometries into easier-to-process smaller features.
New UI for Draw Custom Features component
Composite Score Supervised: Create composite scores with the supervised method using this component. Take a look at the example template.
Composite Score Unsupervised: Create composite scores with the supervised method using this component. Take a look at the example template

Extended support for URL parameters in Builder maps

February 21st, 2024

Improvements Builder

Exciting news – CARTO Builder has expanded its URL parameter capabilities to include widgets, SQL parameters, search locations, and feature selections. Now, when viewers interact with these elements, the URL updates in real time, making it easier to share customized map views. This update opens up possibilities for creating varied views from a single map, simplifying sharing, and minimizing the need for multiple map versions. It also enhances the embedding of maps into websites or apps, providing a seamless user experience without unnecessary redirections.

Distinguish Users by authentication method

February 19th, 2024

Improvements Workspace

We have added a new column to the Users and Groups table of the Organization Settings which displays the authentication method used by each user (Google Account, Username/Password, SSO or Github). This will help Admins better manage their organization, avoid confusion and identify users quickly.

Support for configuring and executing your workflows with an API call

February 8th, 2024

New Workflows

We are excited to announce the release of a comprehensive set of new features in CARTO Workflows designed to provide the ability to trigger the execution of your workflows by calling an API.

Variable definition: Define variables that can be used within components' settings. These variables can also be configured as parameters, allowing for inputing dynamic values during API calls.
Expression support: Introducing expressions! Embed logic directly into component settings, enabling the use of SQL operators in conjunction with variable and column values from your data.
API endpoint for triggering workflows: Enable an API endpoint to initiate a workflow execution. This endpoint exposes all parameters set as variables, facilitating smooth integration.
Workflow status polling: Easily monitor the status of workflow execution.
Output definition and storage: Define the output of a workflow API execution, which will be stored in a temporary table. The Fully Qualified Name (FQN) of this table is included in the API response for effortless access post-execution. This output can be used along with other options like exporting result to a bucket, saving to a static table or send an email with the result.
Controlled caching behavior: Have control over caching behavior across all execution modes: UI, Scheduled (Beta), and via API.

All these elements have been built to enable users to integrate workflows into larger analytical processes, and to embed asynchronous analytical capabilities into web applications.

January 15th, 2024

Improvements Workspace

We have released a set of improvements that affect the experience of new users when they open a shared map or shared workflow for the first time. Previously, you had to invite those users or have them sign up manually. Now:

If your organization uses Single Sign-On (SSO), all maps and workflows shared links will redirect to your SSO login page for easier adoption and onboarding of new users
The unauthenticated screen for all shared maps and workflows has been redesigned for clarity
Users can now login or signup through the map/workflow link, and they will be automatically redirected to the desired map/workflow once successfully authenticated

New CARTO Academy - tutorials, videos and templates to boost your spatial analysis skills

January 11th, 2024

New Documentation

We are happy to announce the launch of our new CARTO Academy, with detailed tutorials, videos and templates to boost your spatial analysis skills and make you a proficient user of the CARTO platform.

Among others, in this new CARTO Academy you will find materials to get you started with Spatial Indexes, tutorials to help you build stunning visualizations and spatial analyses with CARTO Builder, step-by-step tutorials and templates for Workflows, and guides to develop your advanced spatial analysis skills with Google BigQuery, Snowflake and AWS Redshift.