Reordering Map Layers - MapInfo_Pro - 2023

Map layers display in the order that they are listed in the Layers window, with the bottom layer drawn first and the top layer (which is always the Cosmetic Layer) drawn last. It is important to order your layers correctly.

For example, you have a layer of customer points and a layer of census tracts. If the layers are incorrectly ordered in the Map window, MapInfo Pro might draw the customer points first and then display the census tract layer second. Your points would be obscured by the census tract layer. You can reorder how layers are displayed in a Map window two ways.

To reorder the layers in a map:

1. On the HOME tab, in the Windows group, click Tool Windows, and click Explorer from the list, to open the Explorer window.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Select the layer or layers you want to reorder and use the Move Layers Up and Move Layers Down buttons to position the layer(s) where you want them.
   • Click the layer or layers and drag it (or them) to the new position. When you use the click and drag method, the cursor changes and as you move the cursor, a marker displays indicating the layer's new position.

     If you cannot move a layer to a particular position (for example, attempting to move a layer above the Cosmetic layer), the cursor changes to a circle with a slash through it to let you know that you cannot move the layer to the proposed position.

     Note: Since the Cosmetic layer is always the top layer, reordering has no effect on it. You cannot move a layer above the Cosmetic layer.

Layer order is also important when you use the Select button. The Select command selects objects from the topmost Selectable layer. If you have several objects at the same location, it is difficult to select the exact one you want. You can reorder your layers in Layers window so that the layer you want to select from is the new topmost layer.

MapInfo Pro does not allow you to control the front-to-back ordering of objects within a single map layer. If you are editing a table, and you draw a line on top of a circle, the line might appear in front of or behind the circle; you cannot control whether it is in the front or the back. You can, however, control the front-to-back ordering of objects in a Layout window.

These topics are useful in understanding the reordering of Map Layers.

• Reordering Thematic Layers
• Changing the Order of Contiguous Layers
• Changing the Order of Random Layers
• Grouping Layers
• Reordering Thematic Layers in the MapInfo Pro: Creating Thematic and Themed Maps Guide

Changing the Order of Contiguous Layers

To change the order of one or more contiguous layers in the Layer list:

1. On the HOME tab, in the Windows group, click Tool Windows, and click Explorer from the list, to open the Explorer window.

   The Maps list has multi-select capabilities.

2. Hold down the Shift key.
3. Select the layers and drag them up or down in the list.
4. Click OK to save your changes.

Changing the Order of Random Layers

To change the order of one or more layers in the Layers window:

1. On the HOME tab, in the Windows group, click Tool Windows, and click Explorer from the list, to open the Explorer window.

   The Maps list has multi-select capabilities.

2. Hold down the Ctrl key.
3. Select the random layers you want to move and drag them up or down in the list.

You can also use the Move Layers Up or Move Layers Down buttons to move one or more layers. You cannot reorder or remove the Cosmetic layer. It will always be the top layer.

See also:

• Reordering Map Layers
• Removing a Layer from the Map
• Changing how a Layer Displays on the Map