Create & display a map

In Progress Map Ultimate, a map is a dedicated entry under Progress Map → All Maps. Each map has its own post type, query, layout, and tools. You embed it on any page with a shortcode.

Before you create a map

  1. Connect the post types you need under Progress Map → Plugin settings. If a post type is missing from the map’s “Main post type” list, it is not selected globally yet — see Connect post types.
  2. Have a Google Maps API key saved.
  3. Ideally, create at least one test post with coordinates so you can verify markers quickly — see Add locations.

Create a new map

  1. In wp-admin, go to Progress Map → Add New Map.
  2. Enter a clear title (for example “Properties – Paris” or “Store locator”).
  3. In Main post type, select the post type this map will load.
  4. Click Publish.

After the first save, Ultimate loads the full settings metaboxes (Query, Layout, Map, Markers, Infoboxes, and more) and the side widget Map Shortcode.

Change the post type later

If you change Main post type, click Update. Metabox options that depend on taxonomies or fields for that type will resynchronize. Double-check Query settings afterward.

Normal map vs search map

Under How would you like to use this map? (available after the first publish):

Mode Behaviour
Normal map Locations load as soon as the map is ready (default directory / listing map).
Search map The map starts empty (or mostly empty). Locations appear after the visitor uses a search or filter tool (address search, faceted search, Draw a Search, Markers Filter, etc.).

Tip: Pair a search map with the Heatmap layer so visitors still see density before they search (Map settings → Heatmap layer).

Other important map-level options

Display locations with no coordinates?

  • No (default) — only posts with valid lat/lng appear as markers.
  • Yes — posts without coordinates can still appear in the carousel (or in List & Filter if that module is enabled), but they will not have a map pin.

How to get the posts link?

Controls whether infobox / carousel links use the normal single-post URL or a URL stored in a custom field (overrides the global “outer links” setting when needed).

Display the map on the front end

Shortcode (pages & posts)

After publishing, open the Map Shortcode side panel and copy:

[cspm_main_map id="123"]

Replace 123 with your map’s ID (the panel already shows the correct ID). Paste it into any page, post, or block that accepts shortcodes.

PHP (theme / template)

echo do_shortcode( '[cspm_main_map id="123"]' );

Other core shortcodes

Ultimate also provides specialized shortcodes (light map, static map, street view, contact map, route map, front-end form). See the Shortcodes index when you need a lighter or single-location embed. The main listing experience uses [cspm_main_map].

Legacy shortcode [codespacing_progress_map] still maps to the main map for old content, but new pages should use [cspm_main_map id="…"].

Verify your first map

  1. Publish a page containing the shortcode.
  2. View it while logged out (or in a private window) to avoid admin-only script differences.
  3. Confirm tiles load and at least one marker appears.
  4. Click a marker — infobox / carousel should react according to your layout settings.

If the map is blank, check API key errors in the browser console, confirm Query settings are not excluding all posts, and see Troubleshooting.

Cache management

Each map includes a Cache Management panel (when available in your version). After large content changes (many new locations, query changes), clear or regenerate that map’s cache so the front end stays in sync.

Next steps

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