Map Settings
Introduction
The Map tab controls how the search map is rendered and how map markers and info windows are configured.
The Map tab controls how search results are displayed on interactive maps, including marker behavior, map appearance, and info window content. Map functionality relies on geocoded location data stored with Target Form entries and can be used together with proximity search to create location-aware search experiences.
This section is useful for store locators, business directories, property searches, service finders, and map-first search experiences.
If entries are not appearing as map markers, verify that location data has been indexed. See Importing Existing Entry Locations.
Configuring Map Settings
1. Map Display Mode
Map enablement defines where and how the map is shown for this search form.
Map Display Mode
Choose one of:
- Display in Results: map renders as part of the results layout.
- Display via Shortcode: render the map only where you place the dedicated map shortcode.
- Disable: hide the map output while keeping search/filter logic unchanged.
If no location source field is selected in Location Data Scope, the map section displays a warning and cannot be fully used.
The map display mode is useful when you want full control over layout (for example: map-only pages, split layouts, or side-map templates).
2. Map Settings
Map Settings control the base behavior and appearance of the map container.
Map Height
Set CSS height for the map container (for example, 320px or 50vh).
Map Type
- Roadmap
- Satellite
- Hybrid
- Terrain
Choose the map style to match your page context.
Default Zoom
Define the initial zoom level used when the map does not auto-fit to result bounds.
Enable Marker Clustering
Groups nearby markers automatically to keep the map legible when many points are returned.
Good for high-density geodata where many locations render in the same region.
3. Result Markers
Result markers define the marker icon used for each entry on the map.
Results Marker URL
Optional URL for a custom marker icon used for search results.
Leave blank to use the default marker icon (Default).
4. Visitor Marker
Configure how the searched origin location appears on the map.
Search Origin Marker URL
Optional custom icon URL for the visitor/origin marker.
Leave blank to use the default blue marker.
Search Origin Info Window Text
Optional info-window text for the origin marker.
The text can include the {address} placeholder.
5. Info Window Render Mode
Info Window Render Mode controls how marker popups are generated.
Render Mode
- Structured Fields: configure output using field selectors and repeaters.
- Custom Template: provide your own HTML template using merge tags.
Info Window Template
Available when using either mode, for selecting a built-in template variant.
6. Info Window Structured Output
Structured output builds each info window from selected sources and row definitions.
Title Field
Optional field used as the info-window heading.
Link Title to Details
When enabled, the title links to the entry details URL.
Main Image Field
Optional image source used as the primary info-window image.
Show Distance
Show calculated distance values when available.
Show Details Link
Show a dedicated details link in each info window.
Details Link Label
Text label for the details link. Defaults to View Details.
Info Window Details
Build additional rows using:
- Source: entry field or built-in source token (Entry ID, status, dates, distance, details link, etc.).
- Label Override: custom label text for that row.
- Format: Text / Link / Link (New Tab) / Image.
Rows can be added, removed, and reordered, and can be used to format compact, structured popup cards without custom HTML.
7. Info Window Custom Output
Custom Output mode gives full control over marker popup HTML.
Info Window Content Template
Write your own HTML template and insert supported merge tags from the target entry.
Use this mode when structured rows cannot match your exact design (cards, rich layouts, or branded tooltip markup).
See Search Templates & Merge Tags for available merge tags and custom template examples.
How Map Settings Work
Map settings are tied to map lifecycle and entry geocoding data.
If no location source is configured in Location Data Scope, map-related features cannot function because there is no coordinate data to render.
The typical flow is: location source + map mode → marker style settings → info-window render mode → marker detail/content configuration.
In practice, you usually configure results output first, then tune map mode and markers last so the map UI matches your front-end layout.
Tips for Setup
- Always set at least one Location Source Field before enabling map features.
- Use Display via Shortcode when you need the map in a separate column or section.
- Keep marker icons optimized and consistent for fast loading on large result sets.
- Use Structured Fields for stable templates; switch to Custom Template for custom markup/design control.