# Map settings

_Last updated October 21, 2026_

> The map's title and description, basemap, map panel, legend, initial view, zoom and bounds.

> **Beta:** squidmaps is in beta. Features, the map spec and these docs may change without notice, and things may occasionally break. Export a copy of any map that matters to you, and tell us when something isn't right: use Beta feedback, or email support@squidmaps.io.

Settings for the whole map are in two places. The title, description and
basemap are in the left panel. The map panel, legend, initial view and
extent are in
the right panel when nothing is selected: click an empty spot on the map,
or press Esc, to see them.

## Title and description

At the top of the left panel. The title also sets the map's link, like
`squidmaps.io/you/your-map`. Click the description to edit it; it's
Markdown, so it can have **bold**, lists and links. Both appear in the
panel visitors see over the published map.

## Basemap

At the bottom of the left panel: Streets, Light, Gray or Dark, or one of
your own custom basemaps. Turn off **Show labels** when the basemap's
place and street names compete with your own.

- [Custom basemaps](https://squidmaps.io/docs/custom-basemaps): Make a basemap in your own colors.

## Map panel

What visitors can do in the panel over your published map, under its
description. Both options start off; turn them on in the right panel, or
in the header of **Preview** to see the change right away.

- **Feature list:** your features, by folder. Each folder has a checkbox,
  so visitors can hide its features on the map, like layers. Clicking a
  feature takes the map to it and opens its card or panel. Text and images
  aren't listed, but hiding a folder hides them too.
- **Search:** a box to find features by their name or description. With
  the feature list on, it narrows the list; without it, matches appear
  under the box.

Folders appear once in the list even when they hold both points and
shapes.

With both off, visitors who use a keyboard or a screen reader can still
reach your features: a **List this map’s features** link appears when
they tab into the panel, and shows the list.

- [Folders](https://squidmaps.io/docs/folders): Group features in the editor, and set which are drawn on top.

## Legend

A legend explains what your map's symbols mean, in a panel in the bottom
right corner of the published map.

1. In the right panel, choose **Create legend**.
2. On the right, under the symbols on your map, click each symbol to add a
   row for it. Each starts with a label from its features; change it to
   say what the symbol means.
3. Drag rows by their handles to reorder them, and give the legend a
   title, or none.
4. Check the preview on the left, then save.

To change a row's symbol, click it and pick another. A row whose symbol is
no longer on your map is flagged, so you can update it. Saving without any
rows removes the legend.

## Initial view

The area your published map opens on, fully in view on any screen size.

1. Choose **Define view**. A rectangle appears on the map.
2. Drag the rectangle, its corners or its sides to cover the area, then
   click **Done**.

**Edit** and **Remove** change it later. Without an initial view, the
published map opens where the editor was when you last published or
previewed it.

> **Tip:** Set an initial view, so the map opens on the same area for everyone, on phones and wide screens alike.

## Extent

How far visitors can zoom and pan the published map. The editor isn't
limited, so you can still go anywhere while editing.

### Zoom

- **Range:** visitors can zoom between the two ends of the slider.
- **Fixed:** visitors see one zoom level and can't zoom in or out.

The mark on the slider is the editor map's zoom, to help you choose.

### Bounds

An area visitors can't pan out of, to keep them where your story is.
Choose **Define bounds** and drag the rectangle as you would the initial
view. Without bounds, visitors can pan anywhere.

## In the map spec

Each of these settings is part of the map's document, under `name`,
`description`, `basemap`, `panel`, `legend` and `extent`.

- [Map](https://squidmaps.io/docs/spec/map): The map's own fields: name, basemap, extent, view, legend and panel.