Informational Pop-Ups in GIS

Informational pop-ups in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer users a deeper understanding of map features with just a click. Whether you're highlighting tourist attractions, visualizing scientific data, or planning urban projects, pop-ups provide context, enhance interactivity, and make your maps more engaging. In this guide, we’ll explore what informational pop-ups are, why they’re essential, and how to customize them on platforms like GISCARTA.

What is an Informational Pop-Up?

An informational pop-up is an interface element that displays additional details about a selected map feature, such as a marker, polygon, or other geographic entity. It can include text, images, links, charts, and more, offering users a quick and interactive way to access relevant information without leaving the map.

Why Use Informational Pop-Ups?

  1. Provide Context: Pop-ups give users a deeper understanding of map features by offering detailed information.

  2. Enhance Interactivity: They make maps more engaging and user-friendly, encouraging exploration.

  3. Visualize Data: Pop-ups can display charts, images, 3D panoramas, and other visuals to make data more accessible.

  4. Improve Navigation: Include links to external resources or related pages for additional context.

Where Can Informational Pop-Ups Be Used?

  • Education: Explain historical events, geographical features, or scientific concepts with text, images, and videos.

  • Tourism and Travel: Highlight attractions with descriptions, photos, reviews, and booking links.

  • Scientific Research: Present research findings, charts, and environmental data for better visualization.

  • Construction and Design: Share project details, blueprints, materials, and timelines with stakeholders.

  • Healthcare: Display information about medical facilities, services, and regional health statistics.

  • Environmental Projects: Showcase data on environmental conditions for monitoring and management.

How to Set Up Informational Pop-Ups in GISCARTA

GISCARTA makes it easy to create and customize informational pop-ups. Here’s how:

Step 1: Access Layer Settings

  1. Click the three dots next to the layer name to open its settings.

  1. Navigate to the InfoWindow section.

Tip: Use the toggle switch to enable or disable pop-ups for the layer.

Step 2: Customize the Pop-Up

  1. Add a Title: Enter a name for the pop-up or use an attribute to dynamically generate titles.

  1. Choose Content: By default, all layer attributes are displayed in a table. 

Customize the table by selecting which attributes to show and adding pseudonyms for clearer labels.

  1. Add Elements:

  • Table: Include fields and values.

  • Text: Include static text or dynamic content from attributes.

  • Buttons: Add clickable buttons with custom links or links from attributes, colors, and text.

  • Iframes: Embed additional maps or web content directly in the pop-up.

  1. Set Location: Choose where the pop-up appears—on the map or in the side panel. Use the map for quick context and the side panel for detailed descriptions.

Step 3: Edit Attributes (Optional)

  1. Click the pencil icon in the top-right corner to enable editing.

  1. Update attribute values, add attachments (images or videos or any files), or create new objects directly from the pop-up.

Pro Tips for Effective Pop-Ups

  • Keep It Simple: Avoid overwhelming users with too much information. Focus on key details.

  • Use Visuals: Add images, charts, or videos to make pop-ups more engaging.

  • Dynamic Content: Use attributes to automatically update pop-up content based on data changes.

  • Test and Iterate: Experiment with different layouts and content to find what works best for your audience.

Why Use Pop-Ups in GISCARTA?

  • User-Friendly Customization: Easily create and modify pop-ups without coding.

  • Enhanced Data Visualization: Turn simple map features into rich, interactive experiences.

  • Improved User Engagement: Keep users on your map longer by providing valuable insights at their fingertips.

Conclusion

Informational pop-ups are a powerful tool for making your GIS maps more interactive, informative, and user-friendly. Whether you’re educating students, guiding tourists, or presenting research, pop-ups add depth and context to your data. With GISCARTA, creating and customizing pop-ups is simple and intuitive, helping you unlock the full potential of your geospatial projects.

Feb 10, 2025