How to Use the Swipe Layer Tool

The Swipe Layer Tool allows you to swap between two data layers by “swiping” a bar across your map. This tool is particularly useful for showing off changes in data over time. This tool is accessible to all SparkMap users.

Add Layers to Your Map

Select Your Swipe Option

Select Your Swipe Layers

Swipe and Compare

Step 1 – Add Layers to Your Map

The Swipe Layer Tool is only accessible once you add at least two layers to the Map Room.

Once you’ve added your map layers and zoomed into your location of interest, access the Tool by clicking the “Tools” tab in the left menu and scrolling to the Swipe Layer heading (Figure 1).

A SparkMap visitor selects Swipe Layer from the list of tools in the left menu. — *Figure 1 – Tool is highlighted for selection*

Step 2 – Select Your Swipe Option

When you select the Swipe Tool, Horizontal Swipe (left to right) will be automatically selected. Click the dropdown menu (Figure 2) to change to Vertical Swipe (top to bottom).

Box showing horizontal and vertical swipe options — *Figure 2 – Swipe options*

Step 3 – Select Your Swipe Layers

If you have more than two layers loaded on your map, the two most recently added layers will be automatically selected to swipe between. If you would like to change the layers, click the drop down menu under the “Switch map layer” heading and select your first layer in box one, and the second layer in box two (Figure 3).

Pop up showing loaded map layers to choose from — *Figure 3 – Layer selection pane*

Step 3 – Swipe and Compare

Use the Swipe Tool to slide back and forth, revealing similarities and differences between two layers added to your map (Figure 4).

Map with swipe in the middle of it — *Figure 4 – Tool in action*