Using the Geography Field Type

Xano's Geography Field Type is a powerful tool that allows you to store and manipulate location data with ease. Whether you're building a mapping application, a delivery service, or any other location-based feature, this versatile field type has got you covered. Let's dive into the different options available and how you can leverage them to create amazing experiences for your users.

Working with Points

Points are the most basic form of location data, representing a single position on a map. To store a point, follow these steps:

1. Click the "+" icon in your table to add a new field.
2. Scroll down and select "Geography" from the field types.
3. Choose "Point" as the geography type.
4. Click inside the field to open the map interface.
5. Pan and zoom the map to your desired location.
6. Click on the map to drop a pin and set your point.
7. Click "Save" to store the point in your table.

If you need to store multiple points, you can use the "Point Collection" option instead. This allows you to add multiple points to a single field, which can be handy for displaying multiple locations or creating a route.

Creating Paths

Paths are perfect for representing routes or journeys between multiple locations. Here's how you can create a path:

1. Follow steps 1-3 above, but select "Path" as the geography type.
2. Click inside the field to open the map interface.
3. Click on the map to set the starting point of your path.
4. Click again to add additional points, creating a multi-point path.
5. Drag the points to adjust the shape and positioning of your path.
6. Click "Save" to store the path in your table.

Similar to points, you can also create a "Path Collection" to store multiple paths in a single field.

Drawing Polygons

Polygons are useful for defining areas or boundaries on a map. You can use them to search for locations within a specific region or to highlight custom shapes. Here's how to create a polygon:

1. Follow steps 1-3 above, but select "Polygon" as the geography type.
2. Click inside the field to open the map interface.
3. Click on the map to set the first point of your polygon.
4. Click additional points to create the desired shape.
5. Close the polygon by clicking on the starting point again.
6. Adjust the shape by dragging the points as needed.
7. Click "Save" to store the polygon in your table.

You can also create a "Polygon Collection" to store multiple polygons in a single field.

Tips and Tricks

• Use the address search bar to quickly find and set locations by entering an address.
• Combine different geography field types to create powerful location-based features (e.g., store a polygon for a delivery area and a point collection for customer locations).
• Explore Xano's other videos and resources to see practical examples and use cases for the Geography Field Type.

With its intuitive interface and powerful capabilities, Xano's Geography Field Type empowers you to build location-aware applications without writing a single line of code. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring the possibilities today and take your app to new heights!