Custom color palettes for Data Library layers

You can apply a custom colour palette to a Data Library layer, such as ZIP codes, counties or congressional districts. Create a palette manually or generate one with AI, then save it to My palettes for use on other layers and maps.

Open the palette editor

1. Find the layer under Data Library on the Launch Pad and click Style, or find it on the Data tab in Maps & Data and click Style Layer. The layer styling panel opens.
2. Choose a Theme Mode that uses colours:
   • Unique Values (Categorical): one colour per category.
   • Color Bins (Choropleth): a colour ramp across number ranges.
   • Density Heatmap (Heatmap): the heatmap colours for point layers.
3. Under the Palette, Color Ramp or Heatmap Palette list, click Edit palette….

The editor opens with the colours the layer uses now. Every change shows on the map immediately.

Edit the colours

• Change a colour: click a swatch and select a new colour.
• Add a colour: click + Add colour. A palette can have up to 20 colours.
• Remove a colour: click the x next to a swatch. A palette needs at least 2 colours.
• Reorder colours: drag a swatch by its handle. On a keyboard, focus the handle and press Alt with an arrow key.
• Name the palette: type a name in the box at the top.

How the colours are used depends on the mode:

• Categorical: the colours are used in order, one per category. If there are more categories than colours, the palette repeats.
• Choropleth and Heatmap: the colours form a ramp. ScribbleMaps blends evenly between them to fit the number of bins.

Create a palette with AI

1. Type a short description in the box next to Generate with AI, for example "ocean blues", "autumn" or "pastel brand colours".
2. Click Generate with AI.

The new colours replace the ones in the editor, and the map updates. You must be signed in to use AI.

Save and reuse palettes (My palettes)

• Save: click Save to My palettes. The palette is saved to your account.
• Use a saved palette: open the editor on any Data Library layer and click the palette under My palettes.
• Update a saved palette: load it, change it, and click Save to My palettes again.
• Delete: load it and click Delete from My palettes.

Note: You can save up to 50 palettes. You must be signed in to save palettes.

Apply or cancel the changes

• Click Done to keep your palette. The list then shows Custom: and your palette name.
• Click Cancel to go back to the colours the layer had before you opened the editor.

Your custom palette is saved with the layer when you save your map.

See also

• Style Change—Polygons, Lines, Markers & Labels