> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.encord.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Curate Geospatial Data

Encord supports curation of data with geographical custom metadata. You can filter data by geographical custom metadata, but Encord provides a *Map View* to select/filter data using geo-borders.

## STEP 1: Apply Geospatial Custom Metadata

Before you do anything, you need to apply geospatial custom metadata to your data. To learn how to apply geospatial custom metadata:

1. Create a [Metadata Schema](/sdk-documentation/index-sdk/custom-metadata/sdk-index-metadata-schema)

2. Apply [geospatial custom metadata](/sdk-documentation/index-sdk/custom-metadata/sdk-import-custom-metadata#geospatial-custom-metadata) on [new data](/sdk-documentation/index-sdk/custom-metadata/sdk-import-custom-metadata#import-custom-metadata) or [existing data](/sdk-documentation/index-sdk/custom-metadata/sdk-import-custom-metadata#import-to-files-already-in-index).

## STEP 2: Filter Data

Use the following ways to filter geospatial custom metadata:

* Custom metadata filter
* *Map View*

1. Go to **Data** > **Explore**.

2. Select the folder containing the files.

3. Perform one of the following:

   * Filter the data units using a custom metadata field.
   * Use the *Map View* to select/filter the data units.

**Custom Metadata Filter**

<video controls className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/docs-media.encord.com/static/img/videos/Data-Index/data-geospatial-filter.mp4" />

**Map View**

<video controls className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/docs-media.encord.com/static/img/videos/Data-Index/geospatial-map-view.mp4" />

## Map Style Picker

The *Map View* includes a style picker in the bottom-right corner of the map. Use it to switch the map background between three styles:

* **Map** — Standard vector map. Respects your dark or light mode setting.
* **Satellite** — Satellite imagery with street overlays, useful for real-world visual reference.
* **Terrain** — Topographic/outdoors style, useful for understanding elevation and landscape context.

<Note>The **Map** style is the only style that adapts to dark and light mode. **Satellite** and **Terrain** styles always display in their default appearance regardless of your mode setting.</Note>

<Note>Your style selection resets to **Map** each time you reload the page.</Note>

### Switching styles

Switching between styles preserves your current map position — including location, zoom level, bearing, and pitch. Any rectangle selections you have drawn on the map also persist across style switches.

To switch the map style:

1. Open the *Map View* in the Geospatial Explorer.
2. Locate the **Map / Satellite / Terrain** pill control in the bottom-right corner of the map.
3. Click the style you want to apply. The map background updates immediately and your position and any drawn selections are retained.

## Map Interaction

When you open the *Map View*, the map starts in cursor/select mode. You can pan and interact with the map immediately without needing to switch modes first. To draw a rectangle selection, use the draw tool in the map toolbar.