Getting Started: I want to view and print maps

This page sets out the simple steps to use Roam to search, view, annotate and print Ordnance Survey maps.

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Overview

Lots of the functions in Roam can be found in the left panel. If you can't see it select the arrow at the bottom left of Roam.

Zoom and Pan

Zoom

There are a number of different views on the data ranging from 1:8,000,000 to 1:500.

You can zoom between them by:

• using the scroll wheel on your mouse,

• the zoom bar on the right of the map,

• by double clicking on the map

• or by using the zoom tool found at the top right++ of the map.

• you can use the plus and minus keys on your keyboard to zoom in/out of map views.

Pan

You can pan the map by:

• using the pan arrows in the top right of the map

• or by clicking and dragging the map.

• You can also use your keyboards arrow keys to move around the map.

For more information on the mapping products available through Digimap Roam, see the Data Products section of the help pages.

Search

You can search for a location in Roam using a place name, road name, postcode, grid reference, easting/northing or latitude/longitude.

• Type your placename, postcode or coordinates in the search box at the top left

• Select the magnifying tool button or select return.
• Your search results will be divided into different categories e.g. "Places", "Roads" etc.
• Select a result to generate a map centred on that location.

Select map features

1. Use the Basemaps button to change the default Basemap that is being displayed. Note: there may not be alternative basemaps for every map view.
2. The Map Content area in the left panel can be used to turn different layers of the map on and off.
3. Note: Map Content is not available for every map. To find a map where you can do this, try checking the different Basemaps.
4. Uncheck the boxes next to any unwanted layers and customise your map display.  

Add drawings to your map

The drawing tools in Digimap Roam allow you to draw symbols, lines, shapes and text on your maps.

You can add labels to your features and select colours and styles.

Click Drawing Tools on the left panel:

For more detail help on the Drawing Tools, please see the How to use the Drawing Tools help page.

Save your map

• Select My Maps, then Save on the left panel.
• Give the map a name and select the Save button.
• NOTE: Other details about the map such as the map view and the date it was created will be saved. Any drawings you have added to the map will also be saved.

View Saved Maps

• Select My Maps, then Open .
• Select any saved map to view it.

Print your map

The print button on the top menu bar takes you to a print window where you can create A4 to A0 files to print.

• Options include: page size, title, print scale, print format, page layout, as well as options to include your name, your annotations, national grid lines, hill shading and legend.
• The Content Preview tab shows a small area of map content.
• The Layout Preview  tab shows the extents of the area that your map will cover. The map can be dragged in either preview tab to change the extents covered.
• With your options made, select the Generate Print File button
• Open your print download file in your PDF reader software and click print.
• NOTE: Legends are provided as a separate pdf file.

More help information

A more detailed help page on how to use Roam is available in Digimap's help pages.