A Google map - with the default control set:
Google Maps - The Default Controls
When showing a standard Google map, it comes with the default control set:
- Zoom - displays a slider or "+/-" buttons to control the zoom level of the map
- Pan - displays a pan control for panning the map
- MapType - lets the user toggle between map types (roadmap and satellite)
- Street View - displays a Pegman icon which can be dragged to the map to enable Street View
Google Maps - More Controls
In addition to the default controls, Google Maps also has:
- Scale - displays a map scale element
- Rotate - displays a small circular icon which allows you to rotate maps
- Overview Map - displays a thumbnail overview map reflecting the current map viewport within a wider area
You can specify which controls to show when creating the map (inside MapOptions) or by calling setOptions() to change the map's options.
Google Maps - Disabling The Default Controls
You may instead wish to turn off the default controls.
To do so, set the Map's disableDefaultUI property (within the Map options object) to true:
Google Maps - Turn On All Controls
Some controls appear on the map by default; while others will not appear unless you set them.
Adding or removing controls from the map is specified in the Map options object.
Set the control to true to make it visible - Set the control to false to hide it.
The following example turns "on" all controls:
Example
panControl:true,
zoomControl:true,
mapTypeControl:true,
scaleControl:true,
streetViewControl:true,
overviewMapControl:true,
rotateControl:true
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Google Maps - Modifying Controls
Several of the map controls are configurable.
The controls can be modified by specifying control options fields.
For example, options for modifying a Zoom control are specified in the zoomControlOptions field. The zoomControlOptions field may contain:
- google.maps.ZoomControlStyle.SMALL - displays a mini-zoom control (only + and - buttons)
- google.maps.ZoomControlStyle.LARGE - displays the standard zoom slider control
- google.maps.ZoomControlStyle.DEFAULT - picks the best zoom control based on device and map size
Example
zoomControl:true,
zoomControlOptions: {
style:google.maps.ZoomControlStyle.SMALL
}
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Note: If you modify a control, always enable the control first (set it to true).
Another configurable control is the MapType control.
Options for modifying a control are specified in the mapTypeControlOptions field. The mapTypeControlOptions field may contain::
- google.maps.MapTypeControlStyle.HORIZONTAL_BAR - display one button for each map type
- google.maps.MapTypeControlStyle.DROPDOWN_MENU - select map type via a dropdown menu
- google.maps.MapTypeControlStyle.DEFAULT - displays the "default" behavior (depends on screen size)
Example
mapTypeControl:true,
mapTypeControlOptions: {
style:google.maps.MapTypeControlStyle.DROPDOWN_MENU
}
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You can also position a control, with the ControlPosition property:
Example
mapTypeControl:true,
mapTypeControlOptions: {
style:google.maps.MapTypeControlStyle.DROPDOWN_MENU,
position:google.maps.ControlPosition.TOP_CENTER
}
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Google Maps - Custom Controls
Create a custom control that always takes you back to London, when clicked (if the map is dragged):
Example
controlDiv.style.padding = '5px';
var controlUI = document.createElement('div');
controlUI.style.backgroundColor = 'yellow';
controlUI.style.border='1px solid';
controlUI.style.cursor = 'pointer';
controlUI.style.textAlign = 'center';
controlUI.title = 'Set map to London';
controlDiv.appendChild(controlUI);
var controlText = document.createElement('div');
controlText.style.fontFamily='Arial,sans-serif';
controlText.style.fontSize='12px';
controlText.style.paddingLeft = '4px';
controlText.style.paddingRight = '4px';
controlText.innerHTML = '<b>Home<b>'
controlUI.appendChild(controlText);
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