Add and Edit Map Pin Drop Questions in Engagement Questionnaires

Collect location-specific feedback from residents by adding map pin drop questions to your engagement questionnaires. Map pin drop questions allow respondents to identify specific locations on an interactive map by placing pins, making them ideal for gathering input on infrastructure needs, service locations, problem areas, or development preferences.

Quick Steps

1. Navigate to Ask > Surveys > Build select your survey
   
   
2. Drag "Map Pin Drop" from the Content sidebar under "OTHER"
3. Drop the question into your desired position in the questionnaire
4. Configure question text, pin options, and map settings in the modal that opens automatically
   
   
5. Click "Save" to apply changes and see the in-builder preview

In-Depth Guide

Adding a New Map Pin Drop Question

Access the Questionnaire Builder Navigate to the Engage section and go to the Activities listing screen. Find your engagement questionnaire and select "Edit" to open the Questionnaire Builder interface.

Add the Map Pin Drop Question From the Content sidebar on the right, locate "Map Pin Drop" under the "OTHER" section. Drag the Map Pin Drop element and drop it into your questionnaire at the desired position.

The questionnaire builder will display a drop zone where you can position your new question. Release the Map Pin Drop element when the drop zone appears in your preferred location.

Configure Question Settings Once you drop the Map Pin Drop element into your questionnaire, the configuration modal automatically opens. Enter your question text in the main question field. Write clear questions that explain what locations or information you're seeking. For example, "Mark locations where you would like to see new bike lanes" or "Identify areas where street lighting needs improvement."

Add Support Text (Optional) Use the Support Text field to provide additional context, instructions, or clarification about how to use the map interface. This text appears below the main question and can explain pin placement, provide examples, or clarify what information should be included.

Configure Pin Options In the "Pins Options" section, set up the types of pins that respondents can place on the map:

• Pin Type: Choose the pin color and style from the dropdown (e.g., Red, Blue, Green)
• Pin Label: Enter a descriptive label for this pin type (e.g., "Problem Area," "Preferred Location")
• Pin Limit: Set how many pins of this type respondents can place using the dropdown
• Comment Box: Toggle to enable or disable comment fields for each pin placed

Use the "Add Pin" button to create additional pin types with different colors, labels, and purposes.

Configure Map Layers (Optional) Click "Add Map Layers" to enhance the map with additional contextual information:

• Upload .txt format files containing geographic data
• Paste GeoJSON code directly for custom map features
• Supported feature types: Point and Polygon
• Not supported: LineString, MultiPoint, MultiLineString, and MultiPolygon

Map layers help provide context like district boundaries, existing infrastructure, or planning zones.

Configure Advanced Settings Toggle available settings to customize map behavior:

• Restrict Pin Drops to Inside Polygons: Limits where respondents can place pins to specific geographic areas defined by uploaded polygon layers

Save Your Configuration After configuring all settings, pin options, and map layers, click "Save" to apply your changes. The modal will close and you'll see an in-builder preview of your map pin drop question within the questionnaire.

Editing Existing Map Pin Drop Questions

Locate and Select the Question In the Questionnaire Builder, find the map pin drop question you want to modify. Click on the edit icon on the question block to open the configuration modal and access all editing options.

Modify Question Content Update the question text, support text, pin options, or map layers as needed. You can add, remove, or modify pin types and their settings. Click "Save" to apply your changes and close the configuration modal. Once saved, you'll see an in-builder preview of your updated question.

Manage Pin Types Add new pin types with different colors and labels, remove existing ones, or modify pin limits and comment settings. Ensure your pin options capture the specific location feedback you need.

Update Map Layers Add new geographic context layers, remove existing ones, or update layer data to ensure the map provides appropriate context for respondent decision-making.

Adjust Settings Modify geographic restrictions or other advanced settings based on your specific mapping needs and geographic constraints.

Reorder Questions Reposition map pin drop questions within your questionnaire flow using two methods:

• Drag-and-drop: Click and hold the question block, then drag it to a new position. The questionnaire will show drop zones indicating valid placement locations.
• Toolbar: Use the reordering options available in the question's toolbar for precise positioning.

Remove Questions To delete a map pin drop question, use the delete option in the question's toolbar. The question will be removed immediately without a confirmation prompt.

Question Design Best Practices

Provide Clear Pin Purpose Use descriptive pin labels that clearly explain what each pin type represents. Vague labels can lead to inconsistent pin placement across respondents.

Set Appropriate Pin Limits Consider realistic pin limits that allow meaningful input without overwhelming the map or creating data management challenges.

Use Map Layers Strategically Include contextual layers that help respondents make informed decisions about pin placement, such as district boundaries, existing facilities, or zoning information.

Consider Geographic Scope Ensure your map area covers the relevant geographic scope for your question while maintaining sufficient detail for precise pin placement.

Enable Comments When Needed Use comment boxes when you need additional context about why respondents chose specific locations or what specific issues they're identifying.

Methodology

Pin Placement Data Collection Map pin drop responses capture precise geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) for each pin placed, along with pin type, optional comments, and placement timestamp.

Map Layer Integration Uploaded geographic layers provide visual context and can restrict pin placement to specific areas. Point and Polygon features are supported for displaying boundaries, facilities, or zones.

Pin Type Processing Each pin type is recorded with its associated color, label, and any comments provided. Multiple pin types allow for categorized location feedback within a single question.

Geographic Restriction Enforcement When polygon restrictions are enabled, the system prevents pin placement outside defined geographic boundaries and provides feedback to guide valid placement.

Comment Collection When comment boxes are enabled, text feedback is collected and associated with specific pin locations for detailed contextual information.

Language Support Map pin drop questions support multi-language engagement questionnaires when configured. Question text, support text, and pin labels are translated, while geographic coordinates remain universal.

Edge Cases, Exceptions & Known Issues

Drag and Drop Functionality

• Questions must be dropped in valid drop zones within the questionnaire area
• Dropping questions outside the builder area will not add them to your questionnaire

Accessibility Limitations

• ⚠️ Pin Drop questions aren't accessible to screen-reader users and cannot be set as Required
• Alternative question types should be considered for fully accessible questionnaires
• Visual-only interaction may exclude some respondents

Map Layer File Requirements

• Only .txt format files are supported for geographic data uploads
• Supported feature types are limited to Point and Polygon geometries
• Complex geographic data may need preprocessing before upload
• Large layer files may affect map loading performance