Map Zoom
Maptaskr Power Maps provides multiple intuitive ways to zoom and navigate so users can quickly focus on the right geographic context—whether on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
Zoom Methods
| Method | How to Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse Wheel / Trackpad | Scroll up (zoom in) / scroll down (zoom out) | Smooth, continuous zoom. Respectful of system pointer settings. |
| On‑Screen Zoom Buttons | Click + or − buttons (usually bottom-right or top-left depending on theme) | Offers discrete zoom level steps. |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Press + (or =) to zoom in, − to zoom out | Works when map has focus. Great for rapid incremental zoom. |
| Double‑Click | Double‑click map to zoom in one level at pointer | Shift + double‑click to zoom out (if enabled). |
| Touch Pinch | Two‑finger pinch (in to zoom out / spread to zoom in) | Mobile and touch tablets. Smooth animated behaviour. |
| Touch Double‑Tap | Double‑tap zooms in one level | Often fastest for quick incremental zoom on phones. |
| Programmatic / Actions | Some Map Actions or filters may auto‑adjust zoom | Triggered by configuration (e.g., fit to selection). |
Panning / Navigating
| Interaction | Description |
|---|---|
| Mouse Drag | Left‑click and hold, then move the mouse to pan. |
| Touch Drag | Single‑finger drag moves the map. |
| Arrow Keys | Pan incrementally (↑ ↓ ← →) when map has keyboard focus. |
| Home Action (if configured) | Re‑centres map to default extent or saved profile view. |
| Geolocation (My Location) | Centres map on user’s current device position (if permission granted). |
Keyboard & Accessibility
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| + | Zoom in one level |
| - | Zoom out one level |
| Arrow Keys | Pan in respective direction |
Tips:
- Ensure the map element has focus (click once) before using keys.
- For screen reader workflows, Map Actions and structured panels complement keyboard navigation.
Precision Techniques
| Goal | Technique |
|---|---|
| Compare two nearby features | Alternate between slight wheel zooms and small pans. |
| Return to start extent | Use configured Home / Reset View (if exposed in controls). |
| Reduce clutter | Zoom in until labels and symbol density become readable. |
Performance Considerations
- Excessive rapid zooming may trigger multiple data refreshes—pause briefly after reaching a target level.
- Very high zoom levels on sparse datasets can produce empty tiles (normal for basemap coverage limits).
- Offline regions only include tiles up to their cached max zoom—beyond that you may see lower‑resolution imagery.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Possible Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom buttons disabled | Map still initialising | Wait for initial layer load to finish. |
| Wheel zoom not working | Map not focused / browser gesture settings | Click map then try again; check browser/system gesture preferences. |
| Arrow keys scroll page | Map lacks focus | Click inside map frame first. |
| Pinch zoom laggy | Device resource constraints | Close other heavy apps; reduce simultaneous active layers. |
Best Practice
- Use zoom box for analytical tasks instead of many wheel steps.
- Combine geolocation with a subsequent small pan to orient quickly.
- Teach users keyboard shortcuts (+ / − / arrows) to speed repetitive workflows.
The variety of zoom and navigation inputs ensures both casual and power users can explore spatial data efficiently and accessibly.