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Plugin Description
Map Posts allows you to add location as post metadata and insert a map directly in the post, without ever leaving the editor.
No plugin configuration is required; simply install, activate and within the post editor define a location and insert a map.
WordPress 5.0 and Gutenberg Compatibility
Map Posts Free, as of version 1.2.2, works best with the Classic Editor enabled (meaning the Classic Editor plugin has been installed
and activated). It will also work with the Gutenberg editor, with the exceptions noted below. Map Post shortcodes can be
added in any block that allows text to be manually typed in; Map Post map insertion buttons are available if a classic editor block
is added (in Gutenberg editor click Add (block); scroll down to Formatting tab and expand; select the Classic block).
Post Map
There are 2 types of map that can be inserted. The first (Post Map) displays only one marker, which is the current location
associated with the post. Note that Map Posts automatically adds a location to every post, defaulting to co-ordinates of 0.00,
0.00 (the intersection of the Equator and the prime meridian). Post Maps are typically inserted to display
a location that is related to the post.
To actually insert the map, there are two options. If using the visual editor (or Classic Block), simply place the cursor in the
content area where you would like to insert the map, then click the Insert Post Map button. Alternatively you can simply type in the
Post Map shortcode, which is postmap. The second option can be done in visual or text editor mode.
All Posts Map
The second type of map is called the All Posts Map. This map inserts a marker for every post that is published (not saved as
a draft) and has a custom location (it has co-ordinates other then 0.00,0.00). Insert this map if you want to display
all post locations in relation to one another.
To actually insert the map, either use the Insert All Posts Map button from the visual editor toolbar, or type in the
shortcode allpostmap (in either visual or text editor mode).
Adding Location
To update the location, find the Define Map configuration panel within the post editor and expand it if necessary. If it is
not visible open the WordPress editor screen options and ensure Define Map is listed and is checked.
Locations can be updated by:
- Clicking on Map
- Dragging the Marker
- Typing in the Latitude and Longitude Manually
Co-ordinate Units
Map Posts uses latitude and longitude co-ordinates in decimal degree (DD) units. This means it will not recognize
co-ordinates in the format of degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS)or with N,S,E or W abbreviations indicating hemisphere.
If you intend to provide co-ordinates manually but they are in a non-supported format, there are a number of online
converters available:
Geoinfo San Diego State University
RapidTables
or Google:
convert degrees minutes seconds to decimal degrees
Map Configuration
You can further customize your map appearance by defining a width, height and initial zoom level.
- Map Width – as a percentage of width available, from 10 to 100 (default – 75%)
- Map Height – in pixels, from 10 to 10 000 (default – 300px)
- Initial Map Zoom – from 0 (world) to 18 (highest) – (default – 0)
NOTE: Map configuration applies to all maps (Post Map or All Posts Map) inserted in the post. Each post retains its own
configuration.
Preview Map
A preview map is used as a visual means to verify post location is correct. It shows the most recently successfully
saved location and the currently configured initial zoom level. The preview map height and width is fixed and
does not reflect custom map configuration. To verify the suitability of a customized height or width, insert a map
in the post and view it in preview mode.
Preview Map in WordPress 5.x using Block (Gutenberg) Editor
Map Posts Free was originally built for the classic WordPress editor (WordPress versions 4.x and earlier). It is not yet
up to full block editing standards. As a consequence, the map configuration panel continues to function (values entered
will be saved whenever the post is Saved as Draft, Published or Updated); the preview map however will not update until
the browser is refreshed (or a new edit session started).
To verify map configuration is successfully applied it is therefore recommended to insert a Post Map in the content
and preview the page; or refresh the browser page and verify the preview map updates correctly.
Saving Configuration
Location and map configuration is applied whenever a post is updated (when the Save As Draft, Publish or Update button
is clicked, depending on post status). If no data validation errors occur, the values entered will be saved to the
database and map configuration updated. It is possible for changes to be only partially saved – if any configuration
fails, it will revert to its last saved value and a message will be provided to the user.
Saving Configuration in WordPress 5.0 using Gutenberg Editor
Saving configuration entered through the metabox works normally however the fields do not update fully until the next
time the editor is loaded. This means that if you update configuration information and click Save as Draft, Update or
Publish, fields will show the last user entered information however you will not see the user message updated to indicate a
successful save or not. If there were input validation issues, error messages will not appear until the next time the post
or page is edited.
Layer Control
The public map (but not the preview map used for configuration) includes a layer control that allows map viewers
to select which base map to use (options include Standard, Humanitarian and Black and White OpenStreetMap;
Black and White High Contrast, Natural Terrain and Artistic Map (from Stamen)).
There are also some transparent layers than can be overlain the base maps; these include Trails and Topographic
relief. For the All Posts Map only, all the post locations are collected in a single layer and can be hidden or
made visible from the control as well.
Screenshots
The Define Map configuration screen including a preview map should be visible below the visual and text editor screens. If not, open Screen Options in top right corner and ensure Define Map is list and checked.
Post location is supplied by clicking on the preview map, dragging the marker or manually typing in known latitude and longitude. Optional map configuration includes map width (as a percentage of width available), map height (in screen pixels – but not exceeding 9999) and initial zoom level (default is 0 but a value around 14 or higher is recommended for most maps). Configurations are saved by saving the post (i.e. click Save as Draft, Publish or Update – depending on post status).
To actually insert a map in the post, place the cursor somewhere in the content area and (in Visual editor) click the Insert Post Map or Insert All Posts Map button. Alternatively to clicking the buttons type in the shortcode postmap or allpostmap (in Visual or Text editor).
The shortcode after insertion by clicking the button or manually typing in. To see the map as it appears in the published post, click Preview Changes or View Post. The Preview Map below Define Map also shows the currently saved location but does not use any custom width or height configuration.
Example of a Post Map. Open the layer control to select a different base map or add an overlay.
Selection of base maps and overlay options.
