# Create Dots: postcode locations Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots Updated: 2026-10-22 Plot customers, sites or depots from a list of postcodes. A dot can be a small location symbol or a large circle with a radius in miles. [Watch tutorial video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYR80kKLD6o) Some videos show an earlier layout. The written instructions below describe the current controls; this is a guide, not a video transcript. ![Create Dots: postcode locations — current GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/coverage-dots.png) Current controls. Select a numbered marker for its explanation. ## Different dots and shapes ![A Yorkshire map with a green circle, blue square, yellow triangle, purple hexagon and orange star at different locations. A larger hollow dashed circle appears around York.](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-dots.png) Advanced dots can use circles, squares, triangles, hexagons and stars. Different shapes and colours help distinguish depots, customers or other location types. The larger hollow circle demonstrates a coverage-style outline; the basic dot controls also let you adjust fill, transparency and line appearance. These are example positions. ## 1. Show dots Shows or hides the postcode-dot layer without deleting the locations. It is separate from the built-in town, village and city dots under Map details. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--show) ## 2. Postcodes: one per line Paste full postcodes, one on each line. The entry count helps you check the list. This panel is intended for the supported UK postcode maps; do not assume an overseas postal code can be geocoded simply because another map is open. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--list) ## 3. Clear text Empties the postcode entry box. It does not mean “delete the dots already on the map”. Use the delete button for that, or the visibility checkbox to hide them temporarily. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--clear) ## 4. Radius in miles Sets the size of the circles around the postcode locations, from 0.2 to 20 miles in this panel. It is a radius, not a diameter. Use a small radius for location points and a larger one to suggest straight-line coverage. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--radius) ## 5. Line width and Line colour Sets the outline thickness and colour. The width slider runs from 0.1 to 20. A thin dark outline can keep pale dots visible over coloured territories. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--outline) ## 6. Fill colour Sets the inside colour of the dots. Use More appearance options to make that fill translucent, allowing the territory map beneath it to remain visible. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--fill) ## 7. Add dots to map Looks up the supplied postcodes and draws the dots using the chosen appearance. Check the map and any lookup feedback before considering the import finished. Keep a copy of your postcode list if you will need to repeat the import. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--add) ## 8. Delete all dots Removes the dot collection from the map. It does not clear built-in settlement dots or marker boxes. Use Show dots if you only want them temporarily out of sight. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--delete) ## 9. Colour postcodes Turn the coverage into postcode territories with one click. Choose Add to existing to keep current colouring, or Replace colouring to start again from this coverage. The matching uses polygon centres; read the separate postcode-colouring guide for edge cases and overlaps. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--colour) ### What this looks like Current GBMaps controls with example maps and account details. Choose View larger to see the details. ![Find this tool in the menu — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261022-menu-importDotsMenu.png?v=1792654464) [**Find this tool in the menu**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots#dots--show) The current menu entry. Expand its options as described in the numbered instructions; extra controls appear when an item or data has been added. ## Related guides - [Dot transparency, outlines & dashes](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dot-style) - [Colour postcodes inside dots](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots-postcodes) - [Advanced dots & shapes: every column](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=advanced-dots) - [Marker Boxes: labelled places](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=markers)