Your first coloured map

A good territory map begins with a few clear names. Give each team, branch or service area its own zone in the legend (also called the key). Click a zone name in the legend to select it, then click inside the shapes on the map that you want to colour for that zone. You can tidy the labels and page layout afterwards.

See it on the map

Real map artwork · example settings

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1. 1

   Start with the names in your key

   Open START HERE and choose Add New Name. Type a useful name such as North team or Leeds depot. The entry appears in the map key as you type. Add one entry for each territory you want people to recognise. The name is a label for your territory; it does not search for or select a place automatically.

2. 2

   Choose the territory you are working on

   Click the zone name in the legend on the map, for example North team. Its name is highlighted to show it is selected. Now move your pointer onto the map itself and click inside each postcode or county shape that belongs to North team. Each shape takes that zone’s colour. Click a different zone name in the legend before colouring the shapes for your next team. You can also select a zone through its name box in START HERE.

3. 3

   Give each territory a clear colour

   Click its colour square to open the palette. Choosing a colour changes that entry and the polygons already assigned to it. Pick colours that remain easy to tell apart when the map is printed.

4. 4

   Tidy the map, then save it

   Use Map details to reduce clutter, Map Titles to describe the job and Key Settings to arrange the key. Check Print View before exporting. Save the editable map as well as downloading the finished image; the editable copy is what you will reopen to change the territories.

5. 5

   Choose the help that suits you

   Blue question marks open the illustrated guide for a control. Map assistant can answer a question, show a control or propose supported edits. You can speak or attach a reference file. On a phone, start with Tools or Speak; the same features are available in a compact layout.

6. 6

   Already have a postcode spreadsheet?

   Use Import Excel, directly below START HERE in the desktop menu, to paste postcodes and matching territory names. On a phone or tablet, open Tools → Import Excel. You can then refine the imported names and colours in START HERE. The two panels keep their entered values when you switch between them.

What this looks like

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