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URL parameters

A deployed APEx Geospatial Explorer reads a small set of query-string parameters on load. These override the defaults baked into the configuration so you can deep-link to a specific view, layer set, or layout without editing the JSON.

The same reference table is rendered in-app on the Settings tab so it travels with the config.

URL Parameters reference table on the Settings tab listing variant, zoom, layerGroups, and lat/lng with examples

Supported parameters

Parameter Example Effect
variant=<fullscreen\|standard> &variant=fullscreen Overrides the layout variant. fullscreen hides the chrome around the map; standard shows the configured sidebar.
zoom=<level> &zoom=10 Sets the initial map zoom. Integer in the map's zoom range.
layerGroups=<group-name> &layerGroups=Soils&layerGroups=Cities Activates one or more interface groups at start. Repeat the parameter to enable multiple groups.
lat=<latitude>&lng=<longitude> &lat=52.0&lng=-2.0 Sets the initial map centre. Decimal degrees. Both values must be supplied together.

Syntax rules

  • The query string must start with ?. Subsequent parameters are joined with &.
  • Spaces in interface group names must be percent-encoded as %20 (Urban Ecosystems → Urban%20Ecosystems).
  • Unknown parameters are silently ignored — safe to add tracking or campaign parameters alongside.
  • Parameters that fail to parse (for example zoom=abc or lat=999) fall back to the configured default for that field.

Examples

Standard URL — uses every default from the config:

https://explorer.sef-ecosystems.apex.esa.int/

Parameterised URL — open in fullscreen, with two interface groups active, centred at 43°N 22°E and zoomed to level 6:

https://explorer.sef-ecosystems.apex.esa.int/?&layerGroups=Urban%20Ecosystems&layerGroups=Coastal%20Ecosystems&zoom=6&lat=43.0&lng=22.0
  1. Configure the view you want in the explorer (active groups, centre, zoom).
  2. Read the resulting URL parameters from the address bar — the explorer keeps lat, lng, and zoom in sync as you pan and zoom.
  3. Copy that URL as your share / bookmark / embed link.

Layer-level state

Per-layer toggles (visibility, opacity, time slider position) are not part of the URL parameter contract today. Use interface groups to express "open this collection of layers".