# Colour postcode areas faster with Ctrl or Command

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

Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts
Updated: 2026-10-30

On a UK postcode map containing districts or sectors, hold Ctrl on Windows or Command (⌘) on Mac while clicking to temporarily reverse the Colour mode. Your normal mode stays selected afterwards.

## 1. Select the territory and check Colour

Select the territory name in the map key first. Read the Colour label to see whether a normal click affects a postcode area or a smaller district/sector. This shortcut needs district or sector shapes in the loaded UK postcode artwork; it cannot add missing detail to an area-only map.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--select)

## 2. Colour a whole postcode area in one click

While Colour is set to Postcode districts or Postcode sectors, hold Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ Command (Mac), then click one of the smaller shapes. All districts or sectors in that postcode area take your selected territory’s colour. For example, Ctrl-clicking YO18 on a district map colours the whole YO postcode area. Release the key to carry on colouring individual shapes.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--whole)

## 3. Colour just one smaller shape in Area mode

While Colour is set to Postcode areas, hold the same Ctrl or Command key and click a district or sector shape to colour just that smaller unit. Release the key for normal whole-area clicks again. The shortcut changes that click only; it does not switch the chosen mode.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--individual)

## 4. Review the replacement warning

If the parent area already contains individually coloured shapes, the tool may warn before replacing them all, including a partly coloured area or one using your selected colour already. Keep existing colours cancels the replacement. Colour whole area assigns the whole area to your selected territory. Undo restores the assignments if you change your mind.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--warning)

## 5. A small tip while you colour

After several individual clicks, a brief pointer-side tip may remind you of the whole-area shortcut. It fades away and may remind you again later; use its × to dismiss it. You can use the shortcut without waiting for the tip.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--tip)

## 6. On a phone or tablet

With touch controls, use the normal Colour selector to choose Postcode areas or the available district/sector level, then tap the map. A keyboard shortcut is optional, not required for colouring. US whole-state colouring has its own States choice; this postcode shortcut is not a US state command.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--phone)

### What this looks like

Current GBMaps controls with example maps and account details. Choose View larger to see the details.

![A tip beside your pointer — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261030-shortcut-hint.png?v=1793381905)

[**A tip beside your pointer**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--tip)

On Windows the tip shows Ctrl; on Mac it shows ⌘ Cmd. Use that key with a click, or dismiss the tip with ×.

![Check before replacing individual colours — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261030-whole-area-warning.png?v=1793381905)

[**Check before replacing individual colours**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring-shortcuts#colouring-shortcuts--warning)

Keep existing colours cancels. Colour whole area replaces the assignments inside that postcode area; Undo can restore them.

## Related guides

- [Colour whole areas or smaller districts](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colour-mode)
- [START HERE: names, colours & territories](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring)
- [Your first coloured map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=getting-started)
- [Import Excel: postcode territories](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=excel)
- [Use the map on a phone or tablet](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet)