> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.felt.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.felt.com/annotations/draw-on-the-map.md). # Draw on the map Add helpful text, arrows, data, and callouts to maps for clearer communication with annotation tools. {% embed url="" %} Annotations allow you to highlight important features, add context, and create a more engaging map experience. With annotations you can draw pins, lines, routes, areas, and circles. These drawn features can be exported as spatial data directly from the map. Other annotation tools like marker, text, notes, and links are designed to enhance your storytelling and guide viewers through your map's key points. All of Felt’s Annotations are located on the top [toolbar](/getting-started/tour-the-interface.md#toolbar) and can also be accessed via [shortcuts](/getting-started/keyboard-shortcuts.md). {% hint style="info" %} Annotations were formerly called "elements" in Felt. {% endhint %} ## Annotation tools Felt offers several [tools](/getting-started/tour-the-interface.md#tools) called annotations (formerly called "elements") to help you communicate your spatial narrative. To access the annotation tools, members with Edit or Contribute permission can click on the in the top toolbar, or from the button in the Field App. Annotations can be easily duplicated (**Cmd/Ctrl+D**), repositioned, rotated and [styled](/annotations/edit-annotations.md). {% hint style="info" %} Want to use your Felt-created data somewhere else? Points, lines, routes, polygons, and circles can be exported as GeoJSON files and brought into QGIS, OpenStreetMap or any of your tools of choice. See [#export-as-data](#export-as-data "mention") to learn more. {% endhint %} ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FsFj8dlTe7dlzFyFYwlxF%2F24.svg?alt=media\&token=819d8766-65f0-45c2-b6bd-e115f417c9c2) Pin * Add a pin to the map to locate a place. * Customize the pin style and add images and information fields in the detail panel. * Pins can also be added from Search — in edit mode, searching for a place and selecting a result shows an **Add…** menu with a **Pin** option (see [Navigation & Search](/tools/search.md#searching-for-places) for more details). {% hint style="info" %} **Tip:** You can paste geographic coordinates directly on a Felt map and a pin will be placed at that location. {% endhint %} ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FX7qFzmNlXMDoegP0BpPJ%2Fstroke-width-thin.svg?alt=media\&token=6d480ff5-1a15-4b3a-a728-e78338d57a7c) Line * Emphasize linear features by drawing lines on your map. * Vertices can be added or moved after the line is created. * If you wish to extend a line, click the last point and select ‘extend.’ * From the detail panel, turn the option for **Distance** on to **see the distance** of lines as you draw. * Hold **Shift** to draw straight or perpendicular lines. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2Fhbvq9o4NrbVU4fhmIYeE%2F24.svg?alt=media\&token=aa23d583-cc5e-4b65-9670-13dfe9ce9413) Route * Route will navigate to the shortest path between your first anchor and where you move your cursor. * To draw routes on the map choose drive, cycle, walk or flight options. * From the detail panel, turn the option for **Distance** on to **see the distance** as you draw. * Add anchors for more control over your path. * Hold **Shift** to draw a straight line. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FtNsx5XeCBZRRd4hhvaFK%2Fdata-polygon.svg?alt=media\&token=8f2037b1-c1da-48fe-8e22-f074513bbd17) Polygon * Emphasize areas by drawing polygons on your map. * Vertices can be added or moved after the polygon is created. * From the detail panel, turn the option for **Area** on to **see the area** of polygon features as you draw. ### Rectangle * Click to draw the first corner, then click again to set one side of the rectangle, and then extend in one direction complete the shape * Rectangles will always have 4 vertices * They can be resized or rotated after creation while the aspect ratio (length to width ratio) remains locked * Hold **Shift** after drawing the second corner to create a perfect square ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FpDVVXAqL6YrE8c4d2Vak%2Fplaceholder-circle.svg?alt=media\&token=20a5ce57-f40a-4dc0-a22a-8ebf3061914f) Circle * After selecting the Circle tool, click on the center and drag outwards to a certain radius. * The radius can be specified as a numeric value in meters, kilometers, feet or miles. * Area and perimeter can also be specified as numeric values — area in square meters, hectares, square kilometers, square feet, acres or square miles, and perimeter in the same units as radius. Editing any one of radius, area or perimeter resizes the circle to match and updates the other two, without moving its center. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2F4eCsnk3idwSynpT2OfWA%2Fmarker.svg?alt=media\&token=5e4279cd-3ab6-4579-9863-58e0fe9ae43d) Marker Create free-form markings like arrows to highlight areas of interest. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FtWKriLJxERofdsFUJyvi%2Fhighlighter.svg?alt=media\&token=895ee77c-fdae-4245-9625-26959d6f008c) Highlighter Add semi-transparent markings that allow the basemap to show through, perfect for subtle emphasis while maintaining visibility of underlying features. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2F2LSIhq0xZTyPIveIlxxI%2F24.svg?alt=media\&token=950e2b9e-7e05-4d0d-9ca8-cb85a980151d) Text Add labels and descriptions directly on your map. Adjust font style, size, color, and position to create clear, readable annotations. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FPz67rgK2RFHvFTjeBrQh%2Flist_note.svg?alt=media\&token=ff0f9a0c-fc4f-4a93-82d6-5f810606d4d6) Note Create text boxes to explain features or provide additional context. Notes are ideal for adding detailed information that wouldn't fit in a simple label. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FufS6fdVjFXZoapT2tqLt%2Flink.svg?alt=media\&token=6e046202-898d-4689-ab56-f3df06560234) Link Embed URLs like websites directly on your map either by selecting the link tool and entering the URL or by pasting the URL directly on your map. Links display with preview thumbnails by default. ### ![](https://217108486-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FmRfGitkyjOEMvVsEyGWN%2Fuploads%2FjYmjny4qiKRNogEvON0H%2Fvideo.svg?alt=media\&token=c789b161-5424-408d-8102-c132d6e32a45) Video Embed videos directly on your map, with preview thumbnails either by selecting the video tool and entering the URL or by pasting the URL directly on your map. YouTube links will display with full video previews. {% hint style="info" %} **Tip:** You can drag and drop photos directly onto your Felt map. If the image contains embedded location metadata (EXIF), Felt will read it and prompt you to place the photo at its recorded location. {% endhint %} ### Images * Felt can overlay images and PDFs on a map * Images uploaded to Felt are treated like Polygon annotations and sit on top of the layers * With these images you can set **Opacity** and **On click** behavior * There are two **On click** settings: **Do nothing** or **Show larger**
## Adding attributes Annotations have names, descriptions, and images, as well as an unlimited number of attributes (pairs of names and values). To add attributes: * Select an annotation or group of annotations you want to add attributes to. * In the detail panel on the right side, click on the **Details** tab. * Click **Add row** to create a new attribute. * Enter a name for your attribute (e.g., "year") and then press Tab to move to the value field. * Enter the value for your attribute (e.g., "1990"). * To add this attribute to multiple annotations at once: * Select a group of annotations * Click **Select group contents** * In the Details tab, look for the attribute you want to apply * Click the overflow menu (**···**) next to the attribute * Select **Add row to all selected annotations**
## Measure To measure distances and areas, see [Measure](/tools/measure.md). ## Convert annotations and layers {% hint style="success" %} Felt recommends using layers to manage your spatial datasets. To learn more about editing data layers, see [Edit features](/layers/edit-features.md). {% endhint %} You can convert pins, lines, polygons, and other annotations into layers to unlock all Felt's [layer ](/tools/table.md)functionality. Transform your hand-drawn map annotations into structured data that can be used in your Felt map or exported to other GIS applications. ### Annotations vs. layers [**Annotations**](/annotations/draw-on-the-map.md) 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**](/styling/style-vector-layers.md) 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 visualizing 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 annotation(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 specific features to annotations Sometimes you may 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](/tools/table.md). * Add a layer to your map * Click on the feature you wish to extract * Click on the overflow menu (**···**) in the popup, then click **Duplicate to annotation**
{% embed url="" %} ### Export as data You can download individual annotations using the overflow (**···**) menu or by using the right-click menu. **Types of annotations that can be exported** * ✅ Pins, lines, polygons, routes, circle, marker, highlighter and notes * ❌ Images, videos, links and text There are two ways to export your map annotations as GeoJSON: * Go to **Felt > File** from the top-left menu * You can export all annotations with **Export all annotations** or only selected annotations with **Export selected** * Alternatively, you can export selected annotations on the map by right-clicking and selecting the option **Export > To GeoJSON**
## Frequently asked questions
When should I use Layers instead of Annotations (formerly called "elements") for editing data on the map? For most workflows, editing data layers in Felt is the better choice. Annotations work well for quick markup and very small datasets. Here's when to use each: **Layer editing is best for:** * Asset tracking and managing datasets with more than 100 features * Using table view to see and edit all your data at once * Advanced styling options (categorical symbology, graduated colors, zoom-based visibility, label control, etc.) * Better map performance through tiling (especially important for large datasets) * The ability to export and reuse your data across multiple maps * Mobile data collection (see [Field App](/field-app/set-up-the-field-app.md)) * Professional and Enterprise workflows in Felt **Annotations are best for:** * Quick visual markup for presentations or comments * Simple styling for a handful of features * Lightweight additions that don't need structured data management * Personal plans in Felt (uploads aren't available on Personal, but annotations are) You can [convert annotations to a data layer](#converting-annotations-to-layers) to get started with editable layers. Right-click your group of annotations and select **Actions** → **Convert to layer** to unlock full layer functionality.
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