Navigate the preview map and find map features

Select platform: Android iOS JavaScript Web Service

This document describes how to navigate in the style editor and customize your preview map environment.

The style editor and its navigation controls such as search, zoom, 3D tilt, and the context panel with the map of Seattle.

In the style editor, you navigate on the preview map in the same way you navigate on any Google map:

  • Enter an address or location in the Search Google Maps box.

  • To center on your location (also known as locate me), click Locate me. You might have to grant location permissions.

  • Drag to move the map.

  • Zoom in or out using the plus (+) and minus (-).

To show or hide the controls for 3D, zoom, and locate me, select or deselect the Controls checkboxes in the context panel.

Customize your preview environment

The context panel also lets you customize your viewing environment to accurately test and preview your map styles. Use the controls in this panel to change the displayed map type and aspect ratio.

  • Map type: Use the drop-down list to switch the preview map to a different map type, such as roadmap, hybrid, or terrain.

  • Map view: Change the preview map's aspect ratio to either a desktop or mobile view to see how your styles appear on different devices.

Find map features

To find a map feature that you want to style, you can use the filter or the map inspector.

You can also expand and collapse map feature categories to find the map feature you want. Browse the list of map features at What you can style on a map.

Filter map features

The map features panel with a filter box and expandables for the Point of interest, Political, Infrastructure, and Natural parent features.

To find map features using the filter, under Map Features, enter a term in the Filter box.

If you can't find a map feature:

  • Don't use plurals. All of the categories are singular.

  • Try using a more generic term for the feature. For example, instead of "pizza parlor" or "fast food," search for "restaurant."

  • Try using a broader category, and then explore that category for the closest map feature. For example, instead of "theater," search for "entertainment."

Inspect map features

To find map features using the map inspector, perform the following steps:

  1. Left-click anywhere on the map to open the map inspector at your click point.

  2. Select a map feature in the map inspector to open it directly in the style panel.

    The Landmark map feature is selected in the map inspector and the style panel expands to show the customizable style elements.