Services for creating interactive maps. Create an interactive map

published: 2016-04-08

Perhaps one of the most requested methods for presenters is to be able to embed maps from Google Maps into PowerPoint. A quick web search might give you workarounds on how to take screenshots and embed them in your slides, but we have something much better. is an add-in for office applications such as PowerPoint, Word and Excel that allows you to generate and insert maps directly to your files via Google Maps.

Install Maps for Office from the Apps Store

To get this add-on, go to App Store via tab Insert and search Maps for Office.

You will notice that the add-on has a price tag of around $3.5. Alternatively, you can install the app on an experimental basis. Once installed, you will be able to find and insert maps through Google Maps into PowerPoint slides, Word documents And spreadsheets made in Excel.

Map Generation via Google Maps for Office Documents

The good thing about this add-in is that it allows you to generate maps from a specific location using an address or longitude/latitude.
You can also get to select map types such as hybrid, terrain, satellite and road maps. The add-on uses the API Google Maps which gives you perfect Google Maps integration in your Office applications. The add-on uses common APIs, however, you can also use your own API to use with the add-on.

For more detailed information see the add-in download page below. This add-in works with the following Office applications:

  • PowerPoint 2013 or later
  • Word 2013 or later
  • Excel 2013 or later
  • Excel Internet

Go to Office cards

Alternative Method to Insert Custom Cards in PowerPoint

While maps via Google Maps may seem like a good choice, sometimes you may just want a map for a continent, country, region or world map to design specific to your theme. In such a case, you might be better off using editable PowerPoint Maps. slidemodel is a subscription-based vendor PowerPoint templates which offers one of the most editable maps you can ever find.

These maps can be edited down to the specific provinces of a country, and if you're using a continent map, you can even extract countries separately from the main map. You can also recolor sub-maps and drag to extract parts of the main map. In addition, these templates come with GPS marker graphics that you can use to highlight specific areas. All card templates are very good quality and are ideal for professional presentations.

They differ in some features of working with data, displaying information on maps, and, of course, functionality. Storymap will help you in case if:

    • you need to create a simple, visual, mobile-friendly map, consisting of a relatively small number of marker points;
    • your task is not to visualize large amounts of data, various statistics, but only to show the location of some important objects for the material;
    • it is important to show directional movement from one point to another - for example, the route of an international research expedition or something similar.

Getting Started

The service was developed by Knight Lab, and therefore is very similar to other applications created by the lab - and . Creating maps based on it is very simple, fast, they look at the same time (including on mobile devices) is beautiful, as they can include a wide variety of multimedia content. Let's figure out how to work with this application.

The Storymap interface does not have a Russian version, but if you do not speak English, this is not a problem - you need to remember a small number of fairly universal words that will allow you to navigate the application.

To start creating interactive map, press the big green button in the center of the screen and log in with your Google account. Unlike Timeline, it is needed here only for entry.

The Storymap workspace is a bit like a familiar presentation application. In fact, here you also make a set of slides, only each of them has a link to certain place on the map. So, on the left you have a list of slides, in the center is a map for finding locations, on the bottom are fields for entering text and attaching additional files to slides.

We add the first mark on the map by clicking on Add Slide and plus in the left column. Then we will need to select a point on the map to which it will refer. For this, there is a search box on the map itself, which is implemented here through Google. And this means that you can enter addresses in Russian and, moreover, accurate to the street and house. We find the desired mark, and Storymap transfers its marker there.

By the way, you can make your own markers if for some reason you don't like the standard ones: the settings button is in the lower right corner - marker options.

Everything you do can be viewed even before the publication of the project, through the preview - it is located in the second tab in the center under the word Preview. Each created slide can be conditionally divided into two parts: on the left - a map, on the right - all the content that you link to it. What can be tied?


First of all, an illustration is a column with the heading Media. It can be downloaded from a computer, or added via a link if it is already published somewhere on the web. Here is a description and an indication of the source of the image. Further, on the right - the main content. In general, under the entire part with content - from illustration to text, you can put your own background, this feature lies under the Background options button. Well, and finally, you can include almost anything in the text description of the mark on the map, since embed codes are supported here. And this means that almost any multimedia elements will be included here.


Remember that unlike Google Maps or Yandex. Maps on the Storymap are important in the sequence of the added slides. That is, the reader will move around the map in the order in which you lined them up.

When all the points and descriptions are added, you can look at the settings a little more - in Options at the top left. Here you can specify the size of the embedded map (if you will place it on a page of your site or blog), the content language (if you specify Russian, navigation in the created map will automatically be translated to it), the display style of the map itself, the font and text of the button inviting you to viewing. Another option is already hidden under the Share menu item - this is the ability to set the desired image under the title screen of the map.

Would you like to see what the finished result of creativity with Storymap might look like? see the map Tour of Media Power by Oksana Silantieva in 2016.

Purpose of work: To learn how to create a multi-level interactive map using PowerPoint.

Exercise:

1. Master the basic functions of PowerPoint.

2. Learn how to insert the components needed to create an interactive map in PowerPoint.

4. Be able to create "return buttons".

Work order:

1. Open the PowerPoint program in the Microsoft Office folder by clicking: Start - Programs - Microsoft office - PowerPoint . The main program window will open. 2. Click: File - New - New Presentation . 3. In the windowLayout Contents chooseBlank slide. 4. Insert the main map of the project into the program, for which do:Insert - Picture - From File and specifying the address of the map, download it (Fig. 1). 5. In the main menu, perform the following algorithm: slide show slide change . In the window that opens, find the mode P rectangle outside . With it, the effect of changing cards is the most rational. Then uncheck the modes On Click And Automatically . Mark Apply to all slides.

Fig.1 Main window of the program PowerPoint.

6. To ensure the interactivity of the map, you should select the objects that will be linked by hyperlinks to the attached slides. The execution algorithm is as follows: Insert - Picture - Auto Shapes. In the windowAutoShapes choose:Basic Shapes - Polyline . With the help of the cross-shaped cursor that appears, we outline the boundaries of the object on the map. Be sure to close the line to get the whole object. 7. To remove the fill and make the selected area invisible, place the cursor on the object and right-click. In the window that opens, select AutoShape format. In the window that opens (Fig. 2), set Fill transparency 100%. Then do: Line Color - Other Colors (fig.3) – Line transparency 100% - Approx.

Rice. 2. Program window. Rice. 3. Program window Colors . AutoShape Format

8. Click: Insert - Create Slide . 9. In the windowLayout Contents chooseEmpty slide . 10. Insert a drawing (map, photo, table, graph, etc.) into the opened slide, which will be a hyperlink. For this inrun the following algorithm: Insert - Picture - From File and enter the file address. 11. Return to the main map, for which click the left mouse button in the windowStructure on the first slide. 12. C using a hyperlink, you should link the selected objects of the main map with the attached slides. To do this, place the mouse cursor on one of the selected objects and right-click. In the window that opens, select Hyperlink . 13. In the window that appears Adding a hyperlink (fig.4) choose Link to a location in the document . Select a location in the document slide 2 (or other associated with this object) . Similarly, hyperlinks are created with other objects. In attached slides, you can also highlight objects and set hyperlinks to other slides, etc.

Fig.4. Program window Adding a hyperlink.

14. For the normal functioning of the interactive map, back buttons should be placed on the attached slides, providing a transition to the main map. The algorithm is as follows: in the window Structure click the left mouse button on the image of the second slide, and then successively click Slide Show - Action Buttons - Action Button: Back .Use the cursor to select a place on the slide for the back button. A window will appear Setting up an action (Fig.5). Install in the window By mouse click the following settings: Follow the hyperlink The first slide is OK. 15. To test the functioning of the interactive map, press: Slideshow - Start showing. We carry out a check.

Rice. 5. Program window Setting up an action

Purpose of work: To learn how to create a multi-level interactive map using PowerPoint.

Exercise:

1. Master the basic functions of PowerPoint.

2. Learn how to insert the components needed to create an interactive map in PowerPoint.

4. Be able to create "return buttons".

Work order:

1. Open the PowerPoint program in the Microsoft Office folder by clicking: Start - Programs - Microsoft office - PowerPoint . The main program window will open. 2. Click: File - New - New Presentation . 3. In the windowLayout Contents chooseBlank slide. 4. Insert the main map of the project into the program, for which do:Insert - Picture - From File and specifying the address of the map, download it (Fig. 1). 5. In the main menu, perform the following algorithm: slide show slide change . In the window that opens, find the mode P rectangle outside . With it, the effect of changing cards is the most rational. Then uncheck the modes On Click And Automatically . Mark Apply to all slides.

Fig.1 Main window of the program PowerPoint.

6. To ensure the interactivity of the map, you should select the objects that will be linked by hyperlinks to the attached slides. The execution algorithm is as follows: Insert - Picture - Auto Shapes. In the windowAutoShapes choose:Basic Shapes - Polyline . With the help of the cross-shaped cursor that appears, we outline the boundaries of the object on the map. Be sure to close the line to get the whole object. 7. To remove the fill and make the selected area invisible, place the cursor on the object and right-click. In the window that opens, select AutoShape format. In the window that opens (Fig. 2), set Fill transparency 100%. Then do: Line Color - Other Colors (fig.3) – Line transparency 100% - Approx.

Rice. 2. Program window. Rice. 3. Program window Colors . AutoShape Format

8. Click: Insert - Create Slide . 9. In the windowLayout Contents chooseEmpty slide . 10. Insert a drawing (map, photo, table, graph, etc.) into the opened slide, which will be a hyperlink. For this inrun the following algorithm: Insert - Picture - From File and enter the file address. 11. Return to the main map, for which click the left mouse button in the windowStructure on the first slide. 12. C using a hyperlink, you should link the selected objects of the main map with the attached slides. To do this, place the mouse cursor on one of the selected objects and right-click. In the window that opens, select Hyperlink . 13. In the window that appears Adding a hyperlink (fig.4) choose Link to a location in the document . Select a location in the document slide 2 (or other associated with this object) . Similarly, hyperlinks are created with other objects. In attached slides, you can also highlight objects and set hyperlinks to other slides, etc.

Fig.4. Program window Adding a hyperlink.

14. For the normal functioning of the interactive map, back buttons should be placed on the attached slides, providing a transition to the main map. The algorithm is as follows: in the window Structure click the left mouse button on the image of the second slide, and then successively click Slide Show - Action Buttons - Action Button: Back .Use the cursor to select a place on the slide for the back button. A window will appear Setting up an action (Fig.5). Install in the window By mouse click the following settings: Follow the hyperlink The first slide is OK. 15. To test the functioning of the interactive map, press: Slideshow - Start showing. We carry out a check.

Rice. 5. Program window Setting up an action

Interactive game "Find 10 Differences" in PowerPoint do it yourself

Murzakaeva Elmira Rafailovna, teacher of the MAOU "Gymnasium No. 1" Republic of Bashkortostan, city of Sterlitamak
Description: I present to you a master class on creating an interactive game "Find 10 Differences" in PowerPoint. This material will be useful for teachers elementary school, preschool education, teachers additional education, students of pedagogical educational institutions. Tasks of this kind can be used to develop concentration, perseverance, and the interactive version will make it more interesting, unusual and exciting for children. This task can be performed both individually at the computer, and group at interactive whiteboard.
Target: creating an interactive game "Find 10 Differences" in PowerPoint
Task:
- to get acquainted with the technique of creating an interactive game "Find 10 differences" in PowerPoint.

Progress:

1. Create new presentation. On the first slide we write the name of our game "Find 10 Differences". To do this, in the "Insert" section, select the WordArt command.


2. We are looking for a suitable picture on the Internet, save it to a pre-created folder for our pictures. Insert it into the presentation on slide 2. Copy it and paste it so that we have the same size pictures next to each other. It is better to choose pictures in landscape orientation and create a folder where you will save your favorite scenes.


3. On the first slide, insert the text "START THE GAME". When you click on the text, the "Format" section appears, there we select the sample we like, so that this inscription becomes like a button. We choose a design.



4. Now we need to make our button work, for this we need to put a hyperlink on it. Right-click on the text and select Hyperlink from the menu that appears.


5. The "Insert Hyperlink" window pops up, select the "Place in Document" section and make a hyperlink to slide 2, where our task will be located. Now, when viewing the presentation, our button will take us directly to the task itself.


6. We begin to work directly on the task itself. Insert any autoshape under our pictures, copy it 10 times. We number our figures, in my case an asterisk, from 1 to 10, for this we use the “Inscription” function (section “Insert”).



7. Now the hardest part begins - you will need to create differences in the pictures. On the Internet, we look for pictures that fit the plot, with a transparent background, or remove the background in Photoshop. We save the drawings we like in a folder.


8. Insert our drawing into the presentation. Reduce the size and make the object more invisible.


9. Now we need to make it stand out when you click on the difference. To do this, set up the animation. We click on the object (in this case, the bird) and add the animation SELECT - RESIZE.


10. After we set the “Selection” animation, we go into the animation area, there on our object with the right mouse button we call the menu - TIME - SWITCHES - START PERFORMING THE EFFECT WHEN CLICKING - AND THERE WE SELECT THE SAME OBJECT ON WHICH WE PUT THE ANIMATION (IN OUR CASE PICTURE 10).



11. Further, so that we do not get confused about how many differences were found, we need to make sure that after each click on the differences, asterisks come out. To do this, we need to set the animation. Select an object (in our case, an asterisk) and add an entry animation (any one you like).


12. In the animation area for our asterisk, select in the settings - RUN AFTER THE PREVIOUS. We change the ORDER of the animation, put the star after the picture, for this you need to select the animation of the star and drag it DOWN with the ARROW at the bottom of the animation area.



13. Instead of pictures, you can insert text or shapes. For example, let's make a bracelet for a monkey. To do this, insert the figure ARC. In the format section, select the thickness and color. Animation is set up as described above.



14. After all 10 differences are done, create a new slide. On it, we can already do another task, or you can just write "Well done." Let's insert a button on the second slide the same as on the first one, just write "END THE GAME". We display the hyperlink in the document on the 3rd slide.


All our game is ready! Of course, the work is painstaking, but I am sure that the children will tell you THANK YOU for this!

Presentation on the topic: Find 10 differences