Create Your First Map

This page walks through the fastest path to a working Topologis map. You will create a project, upload one dataset, make a few presentation changes, create a view, and then share the result.

It is a practical first-run guide, not a full reference. If you need detail on a specific part of the workflow, use the linked docs for that topic.

Before you start

For a first map, use a file you already have and keep the goal simple: get one dataset onto the map and make it shareable.

It helps to know a few things up front:

• New projects start from the workspace Projects page
• The editor is organized into Data, Styles, Tooltips, and Views
• Imported data becomes one or more layers in your project
• Filters belong to layers, while sharing and embedding happen from views
• Changes are not published automatically, so remember to use Save Changes

If you are not sure which data source to use first, upload a file. It is the shortest path and avoids extra setup.

Create a project

Go to your workspace Projects page and create a new project. Topologis opens the project editor immediately, so you can start working without any extra setup.

At this stage, do not worry about naming everything perfectly. The main goal is to get your first dataset into the project and prove the workflow from import to sharing.

Import your data

Open the Data tab and add your first dataset by uploading a file. You can either use the Upload File action or drag a file into the project.

For a first map, this is the best path because it is direct and does not depend on an external URL or a connected Google account. Topologis also supports imports from a URL and Google Sheets when you need refreshable sources later.

Depending on the file type, you may be asked to review import settings before the layer is added. If that happens, confirm the columns and geometry settings, then finish the import. For more detail, see Import Data.

Choose a render mode

Once your layer appears in the project, select it in the Data tab and review its Render Mode.

In many cases the default mode is enough for a first pass. If the map does not communicate the data well, switch to a mode that fits the dataset better:

• GeoJSON or Tiles for standard feature layers
• Heatmap for dense point data
• Point Clusters when many points overlap
• Hexbin when you want aggregated point patterns

Do not try to optimize every setting on the first pass. Pick the mode that makes the data readable, then move on. When you need more control, use Layer Render Modes.

Apply styles

After the layer is readable, move to the Styles tab and create or adjust a style for it. Styles are reusable, so you can keep presentation settings separate from the raw layer data.

For a first map, focus on simple improvements:

• Make the layer stand out clearly against the basemap
• Use colors that match the message of the map
• Avoid styling choices that make labels, boundaries, or dense point data harder to read

Once the style looks right, assign it to the layer. If you want more detail on styling options, continue with Styles.

Add filters and tooltips

Next, make the map easier for someone else to understand.

In the Data tab, add a filter only if it helps a viewer answer a real question, such as narrowing features by category, date, or value. Filters are layer-based, so start with one useful filter instead of building a complex filter set on your first map. See Filters for the full workflow.

Then open the Tooltips tab and choose the fields that should appear when someone clicks a feature. This is usually where raw data becomes readable. Rename fields, hide noisy properties, and format values so the tooltip reads like a finished map instead of a table dump. See Tooltips for more.

Create a view

When the project looks good, create a view in the Views tab. This is the step that turns your edited project into a presentation you can share.

A view controls how the map is shown to the audience, including:

• Which layers are enabled
• Which filters are enabled
• The starting camera
• The map style and presentation settings
• Sharing and embedding options

For a first map, create one clean view with the right visible layers and the camera positioned where a viewer should start. If you need more depth, go to Views.

Share or embed your map

Select the view you want to publish, then use that view’s share or embed settings.

If you want to send the map directly to someone, copy the shareable link. If you want to place the map on a website, copy the embed script and container code from the view. This separation matters: Topologis shares views, not raw project layers.

You can also add a PIN to a shared view when needed. For deeper guidance, see Sharing and Embedding.

Save and update your project

Before you leave the editor, click Save Changes. Topologis tracks unsaved edits in the project, and your work is not fully committed until you save.

This is also how future updates work. If you change the project later, then save again, the shared view or embed reflects the updated project configuration. That lets you keep improving one project while continuing to publish from the same workflow.