# Add an inset from this map or another saved map Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset Updated: 2026-09-29 Show a busy part of your map in more detail, or bring in another map from your account. Each inset has its own position, size, view and background colour. It can follow the map you are editing immediately, or follow the latest saved version of a different map. ![Linked inset controls with a saved district map chosen as the source](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/linked-inset-panel.png) Choose another saved map, refresh its artwork and adjust the frame without changing the original. Select a numbered circle for instructions. ## The whole map and a closer look ![The UK district map shows a small gold territory in North Yorkshire. A larger inset at the bottom right shows its district boundaries and labels in detail.](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-live-inset.png) Both views show the same gold territories. The main map gives their national position; the inset makes the local boundaries easier to read. Colouring or changing map details on the main map updates both views. The inset has its own warm cream background; the main map keeps its blue background. ## Choose another saved map ![GBMaps saved-map picker with a district map selected, showing its name, map type, orientation and saved date](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-linked-map-picker.png) Search your own saved maps, select one and choose Use this map. Its latest saved artwork becomes the inset. Cancel leaves your current map as it is. ## An area overview with a district inset ![A UK postcode area map with an inset of a separately saved postcode district map coloured purple around Yorkshire](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-linked-inset.png) The main map shows postcode areas; the inset shows finer district boundaries from another saved map. Its cream background, close-up view and frame belong to this page. Edit and save the source map to update its colours. ## 1. Add a live inset Open Regions & Insets and choose Add inset map. A small second view appears near the bottom-left of the page. It starts at the centre and zoom of your main map. Use it for a city close-up, an island or an overview of your territories. You can add one custom inset to each map. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--add) ## 2. Use another saved map Choose another saved map opens a small map picker. Search by name, region or map type, select a row, then choose Use this map. The list shows each saved map’s name, type, page orientation and saved date when available. Only maps in your own account are listed; a map type needs an active licence before you can use it. For example, put a detailed postcode district map inside a postcode area overview. The source map itself is not changed. You can use one custom inset on the page, so choosing a different source replaces its artwork but keeps its frame and background. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--source) ## 3. Update the artwork without disturbing the inset Open source map opens the original in a separate tab. Make your changes there and save it, then return to this map. The inset checks for updates when you return, when you reopen the host map, and once a minute while its tab is visible. Refresh checks straight away. Your inset keeps its position, size, zoom, background and caption. Unsaved edits in the source tab do not appear in the inset. The link works for normal map features, including saved drive-time shapes; it does not request a new drive-time calculation. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--refresh) ## 4. Show or hide the inset without losing it Untick Show inset to hide it from the page and from PDF, PNG, JPG, SVG and PowerPoint downloads. Its position, zoom, size, caption and colours are kept. Tick the box again to bring it back in the same place, showing the latest source artwork. Save your map to remember whether the inset is shown or hidden next time you open it. This also works when its position is locked. Use Remove inset only when you want to remove its settings as well. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--visible) ## 5. Give it a short title Type a caption such as Leeds in detail or National overview, then press Tab or click outside the box. Leave it empty for a frame without a heading. The title belongs to the inset; it does not change your main map title. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--title) ## 6. Move, pan and resize Choose Position inset to show its blue strip and handles. Drag the blue strip to move the whole frame around the page. Drag inside the picture to pan the map within the frame. Drag a corner or side handle to change its size and shape. Click Finish positioning, press Escape or click elsewhere when you are happy. Clicking inside an unlocked inset also shows its handles. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--position) ## 7. Zoom into the detail you need With the pointer over the inset, roll the mouse wheel to zoom towards the pointer. On a touch screen, pinch with two fingers. The minus and plus buttons in the sidebar zoom around the centre. The main map stays where it is. Enlarging an area map does not add district or sector boundaries that are not present in that map. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--zoom) ## 8. Choose a useful starting view For an inset of this map, Use main view centres it on the main view. For a linked map, Use saved view fits the source map’s saved page view inside the inset. You can then pan and zoom independently. Fit whole map in inset fits the whole source artwork, including any supplied regional insets. Hidden unassigned areas stay hidden; fit uses the source map’s full extent. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--view) ## 9. Choose the frame and proportions Frame colour changes the outline. Keep frame proportions holds its current width-to-height ratio while you resize. Without that option you can make a tall, wide or square frame. Changing the frame shape reveals a different amount of geography; it never stretches the map. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--frame) ## 10. Lock the finished inset Tick Lock inset position & zoom to prevent accidental panning, zooming or resizing. Untick it to adjust the frame again. You can still change its caption, frame and background colours. A linked inset still receives saved artwork updates while locked. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--lock) ## 11. Colour once; see it in both views For an inset of this map, colouring shapes on the main map immediately changes the inset too. Territory colours, labels, boundaries, markers, dots, rings and other geographical artwork follow the main map. For another saved map, these details come from that map’s latest saved version instead. The source’s page title, legend and custom inset are not included. Your inset has its own optional title. Neither kind adds extra postcodes or values to the main map’s legend. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--live) ## 12. Save, reopen and download Save the editable map to keep its inset, caption, frame and background colours, size, position, zoom, visibility and lock settings. These are stored with the map in your account and restored when you reopen it. When Show inset is ticked, the inset also appears in PDF, PNG, JPG, SVG and PowerPoint downloads; blue editing handles are left out. Your usual map access is required for downloads. This is a page-layout feature for Design and Print View; it is not added to the separate On Google map. A linked inset stores a reference to its source map, so reopening it picks up that source’s latest saved artwork. Previously downloaded files remain unchanged. Keep the source map in your account if you want the link to continue working. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--save) ## 13. Undo a change or remove the inset Use the existing Undo and Redo buttons at the top of the map for inset moves, pans, zooms, resizing, title or colour changes, showing or hiding, and removal. A continuous drag counts as one change. Remove inset removes this extra view from the page, leaving the main map and its colouring intact. Undo can bring it back during the current editing session. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--undo) ## 14. Use the keyboard Choose Position inset to focus the frame. Arrow keys pan the map inside it; Shift with an arrow moves the frame. Plus and minus zoom. Escape hides the editing handles. You can also reach the sidebar controls with Tab. Keyboard movement is disabled while the inset is locked. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--keys) ## 15. Give the inset its own background colour Click the Background colour swatch and choose a colour for the space around the inset map. A new inset starts with the same background as the main map; after that, each keeps its own colour. For example, keep a blue background on the main map and choose white for a close-up. This does not recolour your territories or change the white title strip. You can change the background while the inset is locked. It is saved with the editable map and included in your downloads. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--background) ## 16. Return to a live view of this map Use this map switches the inset back to the map you are editing. The frame, caption and background are retained, and the view starts from the main map again. Undo can restore the previous source. The supplied London and regional inset switches below these controls still work separately. Older saved maps keep their existing behaviour. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--switch-source) ## 17. If the source map cannot be opened A message in the inset controls explains the problem. The source may have been deleted or transferred, its licence may need renewal, or your connection or sign-in may have ended. If a preview was already loaded in this editing session it stays visible, but saving or downloading a visible incomplete or unverified inset is stopped. Refresh after fixing the problem, choose another saved map, switch to Use this map, or untick Show inset to save or download the main map without it. Hiding keeps the link and frame settings for later. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=live-inset#live-inset--unavailable) ## Related guides - [Regions, London & inset maps](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=regions) - [Move, zoom & frame the map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=map-gestures) - [Show only your assigned territories](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=hide-unassigned) - [How to download your map as PDF, PNG, SVG or PowerPoint](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=downloads)