Map folders vs. Collections – Avenza Maps

From the My Maps screen, depending on the Android or iOS device you have, there are different context menus that can be accessed to allow you to manage your maps and folders.

This article steps through the following:

Android Folders and Collections
iOS Folders and Collections

Android Map folders and Collections

For Android users the first option is accessible through in the lower right corner, and the second is by performing a long press on any one of the maps listed in the My Maps screen.

Add Icon

By tapping , in addition to adding a map, you are able to add a Folder, or a Collection in order to better organize your maps.

Folders

A folder allows you to group certain maps together based on your individual needs. The new sorting and filtering options work within folders, so you can have a mix of maps (Map Store, imported) and be able to sort and filter as you need.

To create a folder:

From the My Maps screen, tap
Select 'Add Folder'
Name the folder accordingly and select 'OK' to confirm

Collections

A collection is similar to a folder in that you can group certain maps together as you choose, however, the key difference is that a collection will allow you to automatically shift from one map to another while in the Map View based on your location/movement, rather than having to open each individual map manually. In addition to switching between maps based on location/movement, you can also pan/zoom between maps*

*The ability to pan/zoom between maps in a collection depends on the maps included, as well as the map scales used. Functionality may vary depending on the maps and scale used.

To create a Collection:

From the My Maps screen, tap
Select 'Add Collection'
Name the collection accordingly and select 'OK' to confirm

Viewing a map in a Map Collection

When you open a map that is part of a collection, an inset map in the top-left corner shows the extent of all the maps in a Map Collection. On the inset map, the current map will be highlighted orange. A + symbol represents the crosshair and the green dot represents relative position on the current map. The green dot represents your GPS location (if applicable). To go to an adjacent map, pan to the edge of the map and continue to pan in the direction of the adjacent map - the adjacent map will automatically load in the map view. This same effect can be achieved by manually moving between map locations.

To jump to any map in the collection, tap a map footprint on the inset map. The vertical column to the right of the inset indicates the map scale relative to the other maps in the collection.

To enlarge the inset map, swipe it to the right. To reduce the inset map, swipe it to the left. To hide the inset map, swipe it left until only a tab with an arrow shows. To show the inset map, tap the inset map tab or swipe right.

When maps share a similar extent but are of two different map scales, you can pinch to zoom to the larger or smaller scale map by zooming in or out and holding when you reach the maximum or minimum zoom level.

Managing folders and collections

By long pressing on a map, folder, or collection in the My Maps screen, you can access Edit Mode. This allows you to select, move, and delete your maps and folders. Once Edit mode is active, you can select additional maps and folders to edit them in batches.

Existing folders can also be turned in to collections (and vice-versa) using the options menu for folders in the My Maps list. To enable collection on an already created folder:

Tap to the right of the folder name
Tap on 'Convert to collection'

To disable collection on an already created folder:

Tap to the right of the map name
Tap on 'Convert to folder'

iOS Map folders and Collections

In the My Maps page, you can create & manage your maps, folders, and collections with the options () menus. The main options menu at the top of the My Maps page lets you create, select, and delete folders and collections.

Select Mode

Choosing 'Select' in the main options menu allows you to move () or delete () maps, folders, and collections in order to organize your maps.

Folders

To create a folder:

Tap at the top of the My Maps page
Tap 'Create folder'
Name the folder and tap ‘OK’

Collections

A collection is similar to a folder in that it groups maps together. However, a collection allows you to automatically shift from one map to another while in the Map View based on your location/movement, rather than having to open each individual map manually. In addition to switching between maps based on location/movement, you can also pan/zoom between maps*

*The ability to pan/zoom between maps in a collection depends on the maps included, as well as the map scales used. Functionality may vary depending on the maps and scale used.

To create a Collection:

Tap at the top of the My Maps page
Tap 'Create collection'
Name the collection and tap ‘OK’

To turn a Folder into a Collection:

Tap next to the folder you want to convert
Tap 'Convert to collection'

Viewing a map in a Map Collection

When you open a map that is part of a collection, an inset map in the top-left corner shows the extent of all the maps in a Map Collection. On the inset map, a darker gray and a + represents the crosshair and the relative position on the current map. The blue dot represents your GPS location (if applicable). To go to an adjacent map, pan to the edge of the map and continue to pan in the direction of the adjacent map - the adjacent map will automatically load in the map view. This same effect can be achieved by manually moving between map locations.

To jump to any map in the collection, tap a map footprint on the inset map. The vertical column to the right of the inset indicates map scale relative to the other maps in the collection.