Create a custom area by drawing on the map

User Permissions note

• Only Group Admin and Power Users can create custom areas

• Navigate to the custom areas page by clicking Group Admin > Manage Custom Areas

1. Click Add Custom Area  
2. Name your custom area (this must be unique, you cannot have areas with the same name)
3. Provide a description. The description is optional but it is a useful way to explain to others within your organisation how and why the area was created
4. Categorise your area. If your group has categories set up, you can assign this new area to one of the categories available
5. Select Draw on a map for the area type

Draw your area

Now you can use the drawing tool:

• Zoom in and out as far as you would like using the scroll bar
• Click on the blue Jump to Location button to open a popup where you can enter a postcode or address and jump to that location
• Drop points on the map around the area you would like to define
• Once the area is complete, you may edit it by clicking and moving the pointers on the map
• If you would like to start again, click Start Over in the top left of the box
• Once you are happy with your shape, select save and you will return to the main Manage Custom Areas page.

When your custom area has been created you will be able to:

• Explore data for the area on the dashboard
• Create a report for the area
• Take a look at the area on the map and overlay indicators

Common questions

How is data calculated for the areas I have drawn on the map?

To calculate data for ‘drawn on map’ areas, Local Insight uses a population-weighted methodology to identify the underlying component areas. Data is then aggregated for those underlying component areas. Read more on methodology for custom area aggregation.