Converting annotations ↔ layers

Convert between annotations and data layers for flexible mapping.

Convert your map annotations into layers, giving you flexibility in how you work with and visualize your spatial data.

Felt recommends using layers to manage your spatial datasets. To learn more about editing data layers, see Editing layers.

Annotations vs. layers

Annotations are individual map objects that live at the top of your map. They're excellent for creating data, adding context, and storytelling on your map. Annotations are best for creating one-off data or storytelling.

Layers provide more advanced visualization options and data-driven styling capabilities. Converting annotations to layers unlocks all the features you have with layers. Layers are best for visualziing and managing datasets. And, layers are fully editable.

Converting annotations to layers

Converting annotations to layers is particularly useful when you've drawn annotations and added attributes that you now want to visualize based on those attributes.

To convert annotations to layers:

• Select the annotations(s) you want to convert

• Right-click and go to Actions → Convert to layer

• Your new layer will appear as a layer on your map and accessible from the legend or list

Converting a layer to annotations

Sometimes you may want to convert an entire layer to annotations. This can be helpful when you want to pull out certain features from a layer to highlight as an annotation on the map.

To convert layers to annotations:

• Select the layer you want to convert

• Go to Actions → Convert to annotations

• Your layer data will be transformed into individual annotations

Felt converts up to 1,000 features. A layer with more features than that can't be converted to annotations. For larger datasets we recommend using layers.

Converting specific features to annotations

Sometimes you many want to convert specific features within a layer to annotations. This can be helpful when you want to pull out certain features from a layer to highlight with annotations.

Extract can also be used to fetch pins, lines or polygons from layers.

• Add a layer to your map

• Click on the feature you wish to extract

• Click on the overflow menu in the popup, then on Convert to annotation

Extracted annotations will automatically be removed from your data layer. If you delete the extracted annotations it will be put back into your data layer.