OpenStreetMap for Beginners Part 1: Add points of interest

This short video demonstrates how to add points of interest (POIs), such as shops and cafes, to OpenStreetMap (using the in-browser editor, Potlatch 2).

OpenStreetMap
for Beginners
Part1: Add points of interest

Welcome to OpenStreetMap!
This short video will show you how to add a point of interest (POIs)

such as a shop or a café, to the map.

First: select the area you wish to edit
and zoom in.

Now, click on the "Edit" tab.

Log in, using your OpenStreetMap username and password

If you don't yet have an account, click on "Register now" to create one.

On the right-hand side is the editable map,

on the left is the sidebar that currently shows drag-and-drop points of interest icons.

To zoom in and out of the map use the "+" and "-" buttons on the top right-hand side

or use your mouse wheel.

To move around the map either use the arrow keys or click and drag in an area where there are no map features.

If you accidentally drag one of the features, such as a road: don't panic!

You can use the "Undo" button at the top of the screen to reverse the change.

The "Undo" button is also useful for reversing any other errors you may make.

Existing points of interest are shown as an icon or green dot

Click on any of these to view their details in the sidebar.

Here we are looking at a church. The basic tab shows the name, religion, denomination and the source of the data.

Depending on the type of feature, you'll see other tabs for recording further details.

To reset the sidebar to display drag-and-drop icons, just click in an area with no map features.

To add your new point of interest simply click and drag its icon from the sidebar onto the map,

then drag it to the correct position.

Next, complete its name and other details in the sidebar.

If you know the address you may complete it on the "Address" tab, or the website on the "Web" tab.

It is helpful to tag the source of your data, so other mappers know where the information is coming from

in this case, it's "local_knowledge".

When you are ready to save your changes to the map

click on the "Save" button in the top right-hand corner.

Enter a brief comment about the change you have made

this helps other mappers.

Now, click on the "Save" button at the bottom of the comment box.

Remember: your changes will be saved to the live OpenStreetMap database.

So, if you are just messing about: don't save.

Once you have saved your changes you may click on the "View" tab to return to the main map.

It usually takes a few minutes for new features to be rendered on the map

However, depending on the load of the server it may take significantly longer,

so please be patient.

Most maps you come across on-line or on paper do not give you permission to copy their information and add it to OpenStreetMap.

So please: don't copy from other maps!

You can find further information on the OpenStreetMap Wiki

click on the "Documentation" link to the left of the map.
wiki.openstreetmap.org