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Feature Selection & Popup

When the Pointer tool is active, clicking on the map identifies features at that location. The results are displayed in a popup overlay on the map.

How Selection Works

Active Layer Selection

If an active layer is set, clicking the map performs a lookup against that layer first:

  • Features found in the active layer are highlighted and shown in the popup
  • The results also appear in the Data Table
  • You can edit and manage attachments for active layer features

Multi-Layer Selection

In addition to the active layer, all other visible vector layers are also queried. Results from multiple layers appear together in the popup, allowing you to inspect features from any visible layer.

No Active Layer

If no active layer is set, only the multi-layer lookup runs. You can still see feature information but cannot edit or access layer-specific tools.

Selection Modifiers

ActionBehaviour
ClickClear previous selection and select new feature(s)
Shift + ClickAdd to existing selection (active layer only)
Ctrl + ClickToggle individual features on/off (active layer only)
Ctrl + DragRadial (radius) selection — selects all features within a drawn circle (active layer only)
Ctrl + Shift + DragSpecial radial selection on line layers — selects only lines that do not neighbour other features (e.g. street-facing erf lines), ignoring the layer's Radial Select Filter

Radial Selection

Hold Ctrl and drag on the map to draw a circle. All features from the active layer within that circle are selected. This is useful for selecting many features in an area at once.

Non-Neighbouring Radial Selection (Line Layers)

Hold Ctrl + Shift and drag to draw the selection circle (shown dashed) on a line layer. This works like radial selection, with three differences:

  • The layer's Radial Select Filter is ignored — every line inside the circle is considered.
  • It only works on Line String / Multi Line String layers (a warning is shown otherwise).
  • Only lines that do not neighbour other features are selected. Lines that lie on top of another feature, or that are enclosed between two closed rings of line work (for example a boundary shared between two erven), are skipped. On an erven-lines layer this selects the street-facing lines only.

The surrounding line work just outside the circle is fetched automatically as context, so blocks that are only partially covered by the circle still classify correctly.

The Feature Popup

When features are found, a popup appears anchored to the clicked location.

ButtonIconDescription
Previous / Next Navigate between selected features (active layer only, when multiple features selected)
FocusZoom the map to fit the feature's extent
DirectionsOpen Google Maps directions to the feature
Set Active LayerMake this layer the active layer (non-active layers only)
EditOpen the record edit dialog (active layer only, requires edit template)
AttachmentsOpen the attachments dialog for this feature (active layer only) (Example in feature popup image above)

Layer Navigation

When multiple layers have features at the clicked location:

  • The header shows the count (e.g. "3 layer(s) with features")
  • Use the layer selector dropdown to switch between layers
  • By default, the active layer is shown first

Feature Navigation

When the active layer has multiple features selected:

  • Use the Previous () and Next () buttons to step through them
  • The counter shows your position (e.g. "2 / 5")
  • Navigation wraps around from the last feature back to the first
  • The map pans and highlights each feature as you navigate

Minimise

Click the minimise button to collapse the popup to a small floating badge. The badge shows the number of selected features, so you can keep track of your selection while the map stays clear. Click the badge to expand the popup again.

Moving the Popup

You can drag the popup away from the feature to keep it out of your way. A connector arrow is drawn from the popup back to the feature it belongs to, so you never lose track of which feature you are looking at.

Smart Positioning

If the popup would extend beyond the visible map area, it automatically repositions itself and draws a connector line back to the feature anchor point.

Toggling the Popup

You can disable the feature popup entirely using the Show Popup toggle () in the bottom layers panel toolbar. When disabled, map clicks will not show the popup overlay.

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