Global Settings for Map

  • Updated on Jul 16, 2025
  • Published on Jul 16, 2025
  • 4 minute(s) read
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The Global Settings for Map is where you set up the default display for your Mapping System. These settings can only be updated by Container Administrators.

Overview of the Global Settings for Map screen showing available map configuration options.

Elevate Version

Basic Map Settings

If you are using the Elevate version, the Basic tab will show your map's latitude, longitude, display, and zoom level. This sets the starting point for when your map first loads.

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Show On Map

The Show on Map area lets you choose which system records to show as point layers on the map.

Show on Map section with checkboxes and colors to pick system records that display as points on the map.

  • Data Point Layer: This determines whether the layer is available on the map. The list is dynamically generated based on your modules.

  • Enable Create Button: This sets whether the shortcut to create a new record shows on the parcel card when you open it.

  • Visible: This sets the layer to be visible or not. If it is not visible, then the layer will not be drawn by default when the map loads.

  • Color: This is the color of the points.

Add Layers

In the Elevate version, it is possible to draw polygons, lines, and points as base layers on your map. Here are some examples of what you can draw.

Example of a Line Layer

Example of a Line Layer in the Display GIS Map, showing black lines drawn on the map.

Example of a Point Layer

Example of a Point Layer in the Display GIS Map. It shows building outlines with points that are numbered.

How to Add a Base Layer

  1. In the Add Layers tab, click + Add Layer; you can only add one new layer at a time. Global Settings for Map page showing the Add Layers tab selected, with a blue Add Layer button on the right side.

  2. Expand the New Layer. Global Settings for Map page showing the New Layer dropdown button. New Layer is on the left side of the box, and a down arrow is on the right. Clicking the arrow expands the field.

  3. Paste your link into the URL field and click Fetch. This checks the endpoint and pulls the layer name and all the fields. Global Settings for Map page. A red box highlights the URL field where users paste their link. Another red box highlights the Fetch button to the right, which pulls the layer details.

    • Custom Layer Name: This is the name that will show in the legend of the map.

    • Placeholder: This is the text that shows in the map search field when the layer is selected to perform the search.

    • Under Layer Settings, you can set the following:

      • Main Layer: The main layer is the layer on which all other layers are drawn on top of. There can only be one main layer, and it always appears in the legend at the bottom of the layer lists.

      • Visible: This controls if the layer is drawn by default when the map loads.

      • Custom Field Names: These will be the display names in the parcel card.

      • Key Field: This is how you denote which field is used as the key to tie it to parcel records in your system. Only one key field should be marked.

      • Key Field Name: This is almost always parcel_num. It connects the layer key field to the parcel ID in the parcel record. Overview showing the customizable fields for the map layer. Users can type names and use checkboxes to adjust layer settings.

  4. Search Fields: These fields can be searched using the search bar in the upper right corner. Good search fields should be somewhat unique to return useful results. Examples include parcel ID, address number, and street name. Display GIS Map with the Search Main Layer bar highlighted in a red box in the top right corner. Here, users can search fields.

  5. Click Save to save your layer. Bottom of the Layers settings page showing a blue Save button, highlighted with a red box.

Other Layers

You can add Custom Layers to your map by providing a link to a URL that serves a CSV. Other Layers can only be drawn as point layers. You must also enter latitude and longitude. Easting and Northing are not supported.

Note:

The CSV must be in an identical format to the following:

  • Parcel_number

  • URL - link to a record

  • Item_type

  • Marker_data - formatted HTML

  • Latitude

  • Longitude

How to Add an 'Other' Layer

  1. From the Others tab, click + Add Custom Layer. Viewing of the Global Settings for Map page. There are several tabs below the breadcrumbs trail, with the Others tab highlighted by a red box. A second red box highlights the blue Add Custom Layer button on the page.

  2. Click to expand the New Layer. A long horizontal box is highlighted with a red box. The box has New Layer on the left side and an up pointing arrow on the right side. Users can click the New Layer box to expand and add a new layer.

  3. In the settings, fill in the following:

    • Title: This will be used in the legend.

    • URL: This is the link from which the CSV will be fetched. Every time the map loads, the CSV will be pulled. The file is not cached.

    • Color: This will be used for the color of the points.

    • Visible: Sets whether the layer is shown by default when the map loads. Expanded New Layer section. A red box highlights four fields, which are a Title field, a URL field, a dropdown to choose a color, and a checkbox labeled Visible.

Legacy Version

The Elevate and Legacy versions of Map Settings have a few key differences.

Differences

  • To show system records on the map, you must set up point layers manually under Others.

  • Base layers can only support polygon layers. Point and line layers are not supported.

Basic Map Setting

Basic Map Settings are where you set the defaults for when the map loads. Your API key will be provided to you. You will need to set the following:

  • Latitude

  • Longitude

  • Display

  • Zoom

The checkboxes determine if the shortcut to create a new record appears on the parcel card.

Screenshot of the Global Settings for Map interface showing the Basic Map Setup tab with fields for API Key, Longitude, Latitude, Display mode set to Street View, and Zoom level 13. A row of checkboxes labeled Permit, Complaint, Inspection, Violation, Project, and License is highlighted and all are checked.

Add Layers

This is where you will add base layers for your map. Only polygon layers are supported.

Screenshot of the New Layer setup screen showing fields for Arcgis URL, Layer Name, Custom Layer Name, and Placeholder, along with checkboxes for Main Layer and Visible. A table below includes column headers for field configuration and a Save button is located at the bottom.

Others Tab

The Others tab lets you add custom point layers or set the system to show records as points on the map. This tab can only be used to show points. The parcel must have latitude and longitude filled in. Easting and Northing are not supported.

You can add the following system record types to show on the map:

  • Permits

  • Projects

  • Licenses

  • Inspections

  • Complaints

  • Violations

In the following URL, change YOUR SYSTEM NAME HERE to your system's name. Then change RECORD TYPE HERE to one of the of the record types listed previously.

  • https://www.civicgov4.com/{YOUR SYSTEM NAME HERE}/map/index?gis_ajax_call=1&format=csv&item_type={RECORD TYPE HERE}

Screenshot of the Global Settings for Map interface under the Others tab, showing a Permits section with fields for Title, URL, and Color. The URL field contains a template link with placeholders for system name and record type. Visible checkbox is checked, and a Save button appears at the bottom.

You will also need to fill out the following:

  • Title: This will be shown in the legend.

  • Visible: Sets whether the points show by default when the map loads.

  • Color: The color of the points on the map.

Global Settings for Map screen showing the Others tab. A Permits section includes editable fields for Title, URL, and Color. The Visible checkbox is checked, and a Save button appears at the bottom. Title is set to Permits, the URL contains system and record type placeholders, and the selected color is a deep blue.

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