The Bing Maps Web Part in SharePoint Online is a built-in modern web part that allows users to embed an interactive map directly onto a SharePoint page.
It leverages Bing Maps to display geographic locations based on an entered address, coordinates, or a well-known place name. Once added, the map can be customized with options like map type, zoom level, and a custom pin label for the location. This web part is available exclusively in SharePoint Online and modern pages; It provides a simple, embeddable way to visualize locations without external embeds or custom code.
The Bing Maps Web Part in SharePoint Online is a built-in modern web part that allows users to embed an interactive map directly onto a SharePoint page.
It leverages Bing Maps (Microsoft's mapping service) to display geographic locations based on an entered address, coordinates, or a well-known place name (e.g., "Microsoft Campus, Redmond, WA"). Once added, the map can be customized with options like map type (road, aerial, bird's eye, or streetside), zoom level, and a custom pin label for the location. This web part is available exclusively in SharePoint Online and modern pages; it is not supported in SharePoint Server 2019 or classic pages. It provides a simple, embeddable way to visualize locations without needing external embeds or custom code.
Benefits
- Ease of Use and Quick Integration: Users can add a fully interactive map with minimal setup—just input an address—and it renders instantly, making it ideal for displaying office locations, event venues, or client sites on team sites, intranets, or project pages.
- Customization Flexibility: Options to adjust view modes (e.g., aerial for satellite imagery or bird's eye for angled views), zoom levels, and pin labels allow tailored visualizations that enhance user engagement and context (e.g., adding "HQ Building A" to a pin).
- Enhanced Collaboration and Accessibility: Supports interactive features like panning and zooming, improving spatial awareness for remote teams. It's responsive on mobile devices and integrates seamlessly with other SharePoint elements, such as event or news web parts for location-aware content.
- No Additional Licensing: As a native SharePoint feature, it requires no extra tools or APIs, reducing setup time and costs while ensuring secure, Microsoft-hosted mapping data.
How to Use It to add and configure the Bing Maps Web Part on a SharePoint Online modern page:
- Enter Edit Mode: Navigate to your SharePoint page. If not already in edit mode, click Edit in the top-right corner.
- Add the Web Part:
- Hover your mouse above or below an existing web part (or under the title area) to reveal the + icon.
- Click the + and search for "Bing maps" or scroll to find it under the "Media" section.
- Select the Bing maps web part to insert it.
- Configure the Web Part:
- In the web part toolbox (on the right), enter the Location (e.g., an address like "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA" or a landmark like "Eiffel Tower").
- Optionally, add a Pin title for a custom label on the map pin.
- Choose the Map type from the dropdown: Road (default, for streets), Aerial (satellite view), Bird's eye (angled aerial), or Streetside (street-level panorama).
- Adjust the Zoom level slider (1 for global view, up to 20 for street-level detail).
- Toggle Show pin text on/off to display/hide the pin label.
- Publish the Page:
- Click Republish or Save and close to make the changes live. Users can then interact with the map by clicking, zooming, or dragging.
For advanced scenarios, combine it with other web parts (e.g., embed multiple maps in a section layout) or use it in lists for dynamic location displays. If you need to embed a Bing Map from an external source, consider the Embed Web Part instead, but the native Bing Maps option is simpler for basic needs.