Map Control - how to capture the map as an image

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Posted on by CateR

Hi Brains Trust,

Does anyone know a way to capture a Map control as an image in a canvas powerapp?
I previously was using an Image Control that referenced Bing and converted the image to JSON so the image could be saved to SharePoint, retrieved in the app as an image and included in a PDF Report along with other information captured in the app. Unfortunately it is no longer working due to Bing being depreciated so I have switched over the Map Control but there doesn't seem to be a way to capture the map as an image. I also tried installing this component: Screenshot/Screenshot_1_0_0_1_managed.zip at master · ritikaagarwal08/Screenshot · GitHub but the output does not display/include the Map control as demonstrated in the image attached.

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AmínAA 1,228 Moderator on at

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Greetings @CateR!

With the retirement of the Bing Maps Get a Static Map API. You are left with two viable ways to solve your problem.

A quick workaround, although not exactly recommended, as it is not a proper solution, is to create a dedicated “print screen” that contains only the map at the desired view. Add a button that navigates to this screen, calls the function Print(), and then immediately returns the user to their original screen. The user can then save the printed output and re-upload it into the app. It’s simple to implement but requires a few manual steps from the user (Which is most likely, a bad idea).

The proper way to solve this is to use the Azure Maps Render – Get Map Static Image API, which lets you request an image of the map. This does take some initial setup and is not exactly free and unlimited. You can check it out in the Azure Maps Pricing page.

Edit: Quick edit, after further reviewing this, I found out that you can, in fact, continue to use Bing Maps for now as described in the Official Blog post, as well as the Bing Maps Get a Static Map API learn post. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend relying on Bing Maps . . . While it might work for you in the short/mid term, it will eventually become a problem, either for you, or the next developer who has to work in this.

If you find my response helpful, please give it a Thumbs Up. Should this answer resolve your question, kindly mark the post as Solved. Otherwise, feel free to reply, and I’ll be happy to provide further assistance.
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WarrenBelz 155,623 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi @CateR,

I will give you a further option - put the map in a Container and use the PDF function on the Container. You can then email the file back to the user. You could also use a Flow to store it as an attachment or in a SharePoint Library.
With( {_File: PDF(Container1)}, Office365Outlook.SendEmailV2( User().Email, "Map file", "Your map is attached", { Attachments: { ContentBytes: _File, Name: "Map.pdf" } } ) )

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AmínAA 1,228 Moderator on at

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Hi there @WarrenBelz!

I tested this out before making my answer, as I thought it would be a valid method, although Instead of sending an email, I saved it to a variable and previewed it in a PDF viewer. The map seemed to not get recorded... instead showing a black rectangle where the map should be. I haven’t tested the SendEmailV2 function yet, although it would be extremely rare for it to work when sending an email but not when saving it to a variable...

I'll test it out, and come back later with feedback on this!

Edit: Hi there @WarrenBelz! I re-tested this to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake, and I’m seeing the same result as in the PDF Viewer. . . a small black rectangle where the map should be. I’m not sure whether I’m doing something wrong or if something else is going on, but here’s what I get in the email.

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CateR 86 on at

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Hi @WarrenBelz! and @AminAA,

I got a black box when I tried sending PDF(Container) as email attachment.

I don't really want to go down the path of setting up a subscription to Azure maps to capture images with the overly complicated setup.

Any other suggestions??

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WarrenBelz 155,623 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi @CateR,

I probably should have expected that one - the PDF function does not like rendering URL-based image controls and it seems that the map control is another example. A bit of research suggests it is rendered in an iFrame and that the Print() function suggested by @AmínAA may also has issues. Sorry, I have no more ideas.

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AmínAA 1,228 Moderator on at

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Hi there @CateR & @WarrenBelz!

The Print() function did work in my testing (Image below). The problem still being, that it isn’t a proper solution, as it requires several user steps to work properly, but it is an option, also as I mentioned in the edit of my first reply, another option would be to keep using Bing Maps, although that also wouldn't be a good idea in the long term.

So, either you use a dedicated “print screen,” keep using Bing Maps, set up Azure Maps, or you’re out of luck based on everything I’ve checked.

Now, that being said, you can always change how your solution works, and instead of saving an image of the map, you can save coordinates, that you can then, recover to use in any other map. With the coordinates you might not have the image saved on the table, but you have the specific data to set up any other map in any place (in theory).

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AmínAA 1,228 Moderator on at

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Greetings @CateR!

Do you still need any additional help with this issue, or has your question already been resolved? If it’s been solved, please remember to mark any, and all replies that helped you as accepted answers by selecting the checkbox “Does this answer your question?”. This helps others in the community find the solution more easily. Otherwise, feel free to reply for further help!

Best regards,
Amín Abuhammadi Ajado

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