What are map filters?
Filters allow you & your map users to filter down spots in they map. For example, in a map of National Parks of the U.S, you might add filters for "Activities" or "Best Seasons" to visit. Filters work in addition to Sections to organize your map.
In this article, we'll use the words:
Filters - To talk about the filter parameter "Activities" and the controls.
Filter values - The actual choices within each parameter "ie. "Hiking"
How do map filters work?
Map filters will appear at the top of the map panel underneath the search bar when you click on "Filter", or when you Search.
Click on a filter to see the values
Click on a value to filter the panel and the map.
You can click on multiple values
How do I add map filters?
To add map filters, here's what you need to do:
Go to Edit spot panels in your map where you want to add filters.
You can do that by clicking "Add" then searching for "Edit fields".
Add a custom field to add a filter.
For example "Activities" and "Seasons" below.
How do I add map filters?
To add values to each filter, add the values in the field for every spot. For example, for Acadia National Park, we'll add "Winter,Spring" into the "Seasons" field.
Click into your spot panel
Find the custom field that's a filter
Add the correct values separated by commas
Note that every value you add in a custom field will be shown as a value in your list. For example if you added "Spring" and "Springss", both values will show up. See best practices below to avoid this.
How to add filters through a spreadsheet import?
In your map, Add your filter as a custom field by going to the spot panel
Ex. "Activities"
In your spreadsheet, add the corresponding column
Ex. "Activities
In your spreadsheet, for every row / spot, add the corresponding value
If you have multiple values, separate the values with commas
Ex. "Hiking, Walking"
Import your CSV / Sheets or Airtable and you'll have your filters!
How do I turn off filters?
Go to Edit spot panels in your map where you want to add filters. You can do that by clicking "Add" then searching for "Edit fields".
Go to the custom fields that you don't want to appear as a filter and click on the "Filter" icon. This will toggle off the filter for that custom field.
Best practices for adding filters to my map
When done well, adding filters can make your maps a lot more useful. However, filters can feel complicated when not thought through properly. Here's what we recommend.
Name your filter parameter something description and short
For example: do "Activities" instead of "Filters" or "Best park activities to do"
Limit your map to 3-4 filter parameters or criteria
More filters than this will feel overwhelming
Use sections in addition to filters to create more organization
For example, "Activities" and "Seasons" instead of "Outdoor activities" "Indoor activities" "Water sports", etc.
Limit your filter values to 10-15 options.
More than this will feel overwhelming and difficult to parse
For example, for "Activities" we have "Hiking" , "Swimming" instead of "Trail hiking" "Pavement hiking" "River swimming" "Ocean Swimming" etc
To set up clear filter values try defining your fixed filter values ahead of time in a spreadsheet or a doc, and then only use those values.
If you're creating a map from a Form, then give people multiple choice options that only include the vetted values.
Filters limitations
Filters don't appear on embeds yet