# Turn map layers on and add sources

Last updated: 2026-10-27

> Show extra data over your map, such as protected areas or tree cover loss, and add layers from the source library or from a file.

Layers put extra data over your map: your own records, protected areas, tree cover loss, land cover and more. Anyone can turn layers on and off. Editors and admins can also add new ones.

## Turn a layer on or off

1. On the map, click the **Layers** button (stacked squares) at the top right, or press `Shift+L`.
2. Click a layer to turn it on or off.

Hover over a layer to see more:

- **ⓘ** tells you where the data comes from.
- **⋯** has **Show legend** when the layer has a legend. Editors and admins also see **Zoom to fit**, which moves the map to the layer's data.

![The Layers panel open under its button, with Sources at the top and the Contour Lines layer showing its ⓘ and ⋯ buttons](https://restorationscope.com/docs/figures/en/layers-panel.png)

## Add a layer from the source library

1. In the **Layers** panel, click **Sources**.
2. Find the layer you need. Filter by **Coverage** (for example **Global** or **Brazil**) or **Topics** (for example **Forest & Carbon** or **Biodiversity**), or type in **Search layers**.
3. Click **⊕** at the start of its row (pointing at it shows **Add layer**).

![The Data sources window with the Coverage and Topics filters, Search layers, and a list of layers, the first one showing Add layer](https://restorationscope.com/docs/figures/en/layer-sources-library.png)

The layer now shows in the **Layers** panel for everyone in your app. To take it out, click the check mark on the same row (**Remove layer**).

## Add a layer from a file

1. Drag a GeoJSON or GeoTIFF file onto the map.
2. Give the layer a name and click **Upload & process**. For a GeoJSON file, click **Done** when processing finishes; a GeoTIFF window closes on its own.

Drop one file at a time. ZIP files and folders aren't accepted; to bring in a Shapefile, open it in QGIS and export it as GeoJSON first.

## Style a layer

On a computer, hover over a GeoJSON layer you uploaded and click **⋯** to change its **Color** or **Hide fill**. For a GeoTIFF you uploaded, click the pencil instead and set its **Opacity**. A layer you uploaded from a file can also be renamed (**Rename**) or deleted (**Delete**). **On by default** makes the layer show when anyone opens the map.

Adding sources and styling layers work on a computer. On a phone, the **Layers** panel turns layers on and off; editors and admins can also choose **Zoom to fit** from a layer's **⋯**.