# When the map does not do what you expect Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting Updated: 2026-10-22 Start with the state of the controls. A hidden layer, the wrong colouring level or an unapplied draft often explains an unexpected result. ## 1. A click colours too much Read Colour:. On a detailed map it may be set to whole areas. Switch to the smaller boundary level. If a warning appears, Keep existing colours leaves your detailed work intact. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--click) ## 2. A click moves a circle or marker A placement checkbox is still on. Untick Place centre on map or Place on map when positioning is finished, then select the territory you want to colour. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--placement) ## 3. Scrolling changes the key, not the map Move the pointer off the key before scrolling. The key and travel legend deliberately have their own resize behaviour. Use their reset controls if they have become too small or moved out of view. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--key) ## 4. A label, polygon or location has disappeared Check its visibility switch, the region/inset controls and Hide unassigned areas. For imported London locations, check main-map versus inset placement. For a lookup, check the reported successful/missing rows. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--missing) ## 5. Google looks different or the menus vanish The geographic preview has a different background and rendering from the SVG page. Its editing sidebar is intentionally hidden. Go back to Design or Print View to edit, then reopen On Google to refresh it. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--google) ## 6. Rows will not import correctly Check headings, blank rows, row counts and postcode level. Advanced location settings accept either one shared value or a complete column. Read the exact row/column error and correct the source data. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--import) ## 7. A saved map or purchase is missing Check the account email and selected map type. A generated PDF is separate from an editable map. Refresh the file list after a successful save, but keep unsaved work open until you know it has been stored. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--save) ## 8. An export fails Keep the editor open and note the exact error text, chosen format, map type and whether a normal save succeeds. Try again only after the previous attempt has finished. If it persists, contact GBMaps with those details; a console status number alone is less useful than the response message. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--export) ## 9. The download cuts off part of the design Return to Print View and inspect all page edges. Move the artwork, key or annotation inside the page and export again. Design can show artwork outside the final page, which is useful while editing but does not enlarge the download. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--clipped) ## 10. Attachment or microphone unavailable For an attachment, check the file type and size in Give the assistant an image, PDF or spreadsheet. For speech, check the browser microphone permission and try typing if speech is unavailable. The working animation means a request is processing; avoid sending duplicates. Read a clarification or failure message before trying the same job again. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--assistant-file) ## 11. On Google could not load Choose Try again in the preview and check your connection. Return to Print View or Design to continue editing and keep unsaved work open. The geographic preview needs its background and polygon data to load. If it keeps failing, tell GBMaps the country, map type and exact message. This does not mean your saved map has been deleted. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=troubleshooting#troubleshooting--google-retry) ## Related guides - [Cannot sign in or receive a code?](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in-problems) - [Print View, Design & On Google](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=views) - [Colour whole areas or smaller districts](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colour-mode) - [Get a spreadsheet ready for import](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=import-checklist) - [Save, open & keep a separate copy](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=save) - [On Google: explore the geographic preview](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google)