# Q4 2024

## Improved SSO group management

*December 13th, 2024*

<mark style="color:orange;">**Improvement**</mark> *Workspace*

We've introduced several improvements to help Admins of organizations using SSO groups manage them more effectively. Admins can now view the composition of groups, search for specific users within them, and delete unused groups. Additionally, we've implemented a new method to synchronize only a subset of groups into CARTO. For more details, visit our article on [SSO Groups](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/settings/users-and-groups/managing-user-groups).

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f21104e0129547e77cc4abab8a5a4e4990a8905b%2Fimage.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Discover spatial data like never before: Meet the new Data Observatory Catalog!

*December 4th, 2024*

<mark style="color:orange;">**Improvement**</mark> *Data Observatory*

We’re thrilled to announce a major update to the CARTO Data Observatory catalog! The new version introduces a completely redesigned interface, making it easier than ever to browse and discover spatial datasets. Whether you're searching for demographic insights, mobility or environmental data, the improved catalog helps you navigate a vast array of options with greater clarity and efficiency.

In addition to the new design, the updated catalog now includes richer metadata for each dataset. You can access detailed descriptions, links to product documentation, Frequently Asked Questions, and relevant use-cases for each product, enabling more informed decision-making when assessing external datasets to enrich your geospatial analysis.

[Log in](https://app.carto.com/) today to explore the new Data Observatory catalog and unlock the full potential of your projects! Access more information about the Data Observatory in our [product documentation](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/data-observatory).

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7c5f205b8adf892f2fc2ca439f9008ff5bf8674d%2Fdo_catalog_whatsnew2.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Avoid exposing SQL in your CARTO applications with Named Sources

*November 24th, 2024*

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *CARTO for Developers*

There are no trade-offs between simplicity, flexibility and security: developers using CARTO can now use Named Sources to avoid exposing the SQL queries used under the hood in their applications, and without necessarily having to add additional backend or proxy services.

Developers can manage their Named Sources manually via UI or programmatically via API. To get started with Named Sources, check the [documentation](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/developers/named-sources) and the [developer guides](https://docs.carto.com/carto-for-developers/guides/avoid-exposing-sql-queries-with-named-sources).

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d26cd0e8d4992b4633428652cc837facb88b1904%2FNamed%20Sources%20(2).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Fully deploy CARTO within Snowflake using Container Services

*November 21st, 2024*

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *Deployment Methods*

You can now deploy your own instance of CARTO fully inside of Snowflake, as a Native App using Snowflake-maaged Container Services.

From additional security benefits (from a closed environment within Snowflake) to streamlined installation, there are multiple reasons to be excited about this new deployment method, currently in BETA for specific customers.

Learn more about [deploying CARTO within Snowflake using Container Services](https://docs.carto.com/carto-mcp-server/carto-mcp-server) in our documentation or read about it in our [blog post](https://carto.com/blog/product-announcement-deploy-the-carto-platform-inside-snowflake).

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8a5fe0da0737be21814dd2607cd514a32868788b%2F673f45bd4881957128334f6d_Blogpost_Asset1_LinkedIn_1200x628%20(1).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Seamless data source switching in Builder maps

November 21st, 2024

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *Builder*

Builder users can now modify the location or connection of data sources directly in Builder without breaking the map configuration. This ensures that maps retain their overall configuration, as long as the fields in the updated data source have the same name and type.

For map components such as style properties, widgets, or interactions that rely on properties not found in the updated data source, the configuration will gracefully fall back to its default settings, ensuring the map remains functional.

This functionality allows users to repurpose their maps effortlessly, even when the data source location in their data warehouse changes—eliminating the need to recreate maps from scratch.\
\
[Learn more in our documentation.](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/maps/data-sources/changing-data-source-location)

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b0e9bfb6bb943419919ea9ec998567e81572e4b1%2Fchanging_data_source.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Reusable custom color palettes in Builder

November 11th, 2024

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *Builder*

Admin users can now define custom color palettes for their CARTO organization, removing the need to manually add custom color styling in each new Builder map individually. This is a quick and easy way to apply styles consistently across various maps, available to all Editors within an organization.

Custom color palettes can be created from the Settings and are applied directly in CARTO Builder. For more information, see our article on [**creating and applying custom color palettes**](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/settings/customizations/configuring-custom-color-palettes).

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9afc88d9ba59788e645a5a56afbd6d14c458bf4a%2FcolorPalettes.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Databricks support for CARTO Workflows

October 31st, 2024

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *Workflows*

We are thrilled to announce that CARTO Workflows now supports direct connections to Databricks, significantly enhancing our integration capabilities for the Databricks platform. This new feature empowers Databricks' vast community of data engineers, data scientists, and analysts to seamlessly perform geospatial analysis within CARTO Workflows.

This release caps off a series of Databricks-focused updates rolled out over recent months:

* We have introduced support for SQL Warehouses and Unity Catalog in [CARTO connections](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/connections/databricks).
* Made Databricks connections available in [Builder and other maps](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/maps/data-sources/simple-features) across the platform, as well as geospatial applications developed with CARTO.
* Enabled [table preparation](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/maps/performance-considerations#tiles-postgresql) and [tileset creation](https://docs.carto.com/data-and-analysis/analytics-toolbox-for-databricks/reference/legacy/tiler) for high-performance visualizations.

Workflows for Databricks leverages [Databricks Spatial SQL](https://carto.com/blog/enhancing-geospatial-analytics-with-carto-databricks), [Apache Sedona](https://sedona.apache.org/latest/) and the[ CARTO Analytics Toolbox](https://docs.carto.com/data-and-analysis/analytics-toolbox-for-databricks) to make geospatial analysis easier and more performant than ever for data scientists, engineers and analysts on Databricks. Being a cloud-native integration, CARTO pushes down all processing to Databricks, profiting from the massive computation capabilities.

By embedding these tools directly in Databricks, we are breaking down the geospatial data silo, making geospatial insights more accessible and actionable for enterprise teams.

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-fdc8c98b291f04eb8dae31f2f42e78e35201751d%2F20241031-databricks_create_workflow.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Search, highlight and zoom with Builder's Table widget

October 17th, 2024

<mark style="color:orange;">**Improvement**</mark> *Builder*

Navigating large geospatial datasets is now faster with our upgraded [Table Widget](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/maps/widgets/table-widget), featuring **search**, **highlight**, and **zoom** capabilities.

You can now easily **search** for specific features within the Table Widget, making them quick to locate. **Hover** over a table row to instantly **highlight** the corresponding feature on the map, and with a click, the map will automatically **zoom** to and center on that feature.

We’ve also improved the widget’s configuration, allowing you to label, format, and reorder columns without altering your data source. \\

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-78f143cea4ffaa00f0d85aeb9cb2d5090e7e5ac4%2Fsearch_zoom.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## New basemap selector in Builder

October 15th, 2024

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *Builder*

Many times, a single basemap doesn't fully meet all of your mapping needs. Now, with the new [basemap selector](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/maps/basemaps/basemap-selector) in Builder, users can easily switch between different basemaps available in your organization. This feature allows you to tailor the visual context of your maps to specific use cases, enhancing the overall data exploration experience.

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-22df2b625afcc1ad027d7c0caa24087ec7b57ccd%2Fbasemap_selector.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Elevate your point visualizations with the new `_carto_point_density` property

October 14th, 2024

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *Builder,* *CARTO for Developers*

We’ve added a new styling property, `_carto_point_density`, for point dynamic tiling sources, perfect for visualizing point density. You can use this property in Builder or your custom apps to style your points by radius, fill, or stroke color, making your maps more insightful and visually appealing. Learn more about it in our [documentation](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/maps/layers/point#using-_carto_point_density-attribute).

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2381cfd2ed4b949ef2a3be476d9ef1fed3db303d%2Fpointdensity.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## New framework-agnostic widgets in CARTO for Developers

October 9th, 2024

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *CARTO for Developers*

Developers using CARTO + deck.gl are scaling and accelerating their geospatial apps with powerful layers, using live data from their cloud data warehouse. **Now, they can also add scalable, interactive charts and widgets to their geospatial applications.**

This is what we love about the new [CARTO Widgets](https://docs.carto.com/carto-for-developers/key-concepts/charts-and-widgets):

* Use flexible and scalable data models to achieve exactly and quickly what you need: From scorecards to bar charts, tables, time series, and everything in between.
* Bring your own UI: Use your favorite charting library or custom HTML components.
* Easily sync your widgets with the deck.gl map.
* Seamlessly use widgets to filter the map and other widgets, fully leveraging your cloud data warehouse computing power.
* Built with JS and Typescript, they are fully compatible with the framework of your choice (Angular, React, Vue...), adding minimal dependencies.

**We're excited to see what you build!** — To get started, head over to the [technical documentation](https://docs.carto.com/carto-for-developers/key-concepts/charts-and-widgets) or check the [**new examples for CARTO Widgets**](https://docs.carto.com/carto-for-developers/examples).

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0d14ce64c90454decb859e5edd9c35cb4e378310%2Fwidgets.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Dynamic aggregation of point layer into clusters

7th October, 2024

<mark style="color:green;">**New**</mark> *Builder*

We've introduced a new functionality in Builder to dynamically visualize your point data as **clusters**, helping you gain deeper insights and uncover trends more effectively.

By aggregating point data into clustering, you can:

* **Reduce Visual Clutter**: Automatically group nearby points into clusters as you zoom out, helping you maintain clarity and readability, even with dense datasets.
* **Enhanced Performance**: Clustering improves performance by reducing the number of individual features rendered, making it easier to handle large datasets without compromising speed.
* **Meaningful Aggregation**: See patterns emerge as points are grouped into clusters, helping you identify hotspots, trends, and areas of interest quickly and effectively.
* **Interactive Exploration**: As you zoom in and out, clusters dynamically adjust, revealing individual points as you get closer, giving you seamless interaction with your data at different scales.

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0a81caf59fa165ac8d9e664af0d80fb673fb0cd0%2Fcluster.gif?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>