# Choosing map boundaries with the assistant

Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface.

Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=assistant-boundaries
Updated: 2026-11-08

Ask the assistant to find and colour the boundaries on your open map, including large postcode and ZIP selections.

## 1. Every boundary on the current map

Keep Use my map settings selected. The assistant can look up every editable boundary in the current map, including postcode areas, districts and sectors, US ZIP and county maps, and other supported map types. A short preview of names does not limit which boundaries it can find. Only boundaries in the map you have open are available.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=assistant-boundaries#assistant-boundaries--complete)

## 2. Ask for the selection you want

For example: Colour every postcode district beginning YO blue, or Colour every ZIP code beginning 021 green. Keep leading zeros in ZIP codes. Include the state when a US county name could be ambiguous. Large selections use all matches, not just the first page of results. Ordinary colour, label and layout changes do not need an extra lookup.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=assistant-boundaries#assistant-boundaries--examples)

## 3. Checked before changes, with Undo

Selections are checked against the current map before any changes. Complete whole-map lookup groupings are checked for missing and overlapping boundaries. If the map has changed, ask again. Undo this job restores the previous map; supported spoken colouring instructions continue automatically.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=assistant-boundaries#assistant-boundaries--checks)

## 4. Names and regional groupings

Lookup confirms identifiers and any names supplied by the artwork. It does not invent official regions or place names missing from that artwork. The UK county grouping guide describes the validated country and regional presets and clearly labelled approximate custom arrangements.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=assistant-boundaries#assistant-boundaries--geography)

## Related guides

- [START HERE: names, colours & territories](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring)
- [Group a county map into countries or regions](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=county-regions)
- [How to create a postcode sales territory map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=territory-recipe)