Symbols and colors are chosen and saved in the Stop File to represent stops as they are displayed on the map with the Stop File open. There are several ways to use symbols and colors to quickly identify types of stops. Use colors and/or symbols to identify customers who receive deliveries on specific days of the week (red for Mondays, yellow for Tuesdays, etc.) or a circle for convenience store deliveries and a square for grocery store deliveries. With 30+ symbols and 40+ colors to choose from, numerous combinations can be used to customize the map display. 

 

Symbols: Symbols are used to represent each stop (or Truck) displayed on the map when the Stop File (Truck File) is open. The symbols are chosen from within the file during the editing process.

 

To change or add a symbol type for any record:

  • Double-click on any cell or column within the Stop File to open the Stop Dialog box. 
  • On the right side of the Stop Dialog box under Location, locate the Symbol box and use the drop-down arrow to select from the options listed: 

 

 

Color Chart

The map symbol color chart lists the various colors available to assign to each symbol chosen for display on the map. To choose or change the symbol color:

  • Double-click any cell on the line of the record to be edited to open the Stop Dialog box.
  • On the right-hand side of the dialog box under Location, locate the Color box and use the drop-down arrow to select from the options listed. 

 

 

Display/Edit Stop Info on the Map

DirectRoute allows you to display and edit the spreadsheet data for a symbol that you point to on the map. The Stop Info box displays the spreadsheet row and focuses the corresponding symbol on the map.

 

Detailed info related to each stop can be seen in the Stop Info Box that appears on the screen when the mouse cursor is positioned/hovers over the stop (Ctrl+click).

Info in the center of the box (custom user-defined fields) will always be white text on black background.

The header color indicates a stop's status. 

  • Yellow = unloaded stop prior to routing; no footer.
  • Red = unloaded stop in routing mode; footer reads Unloaded.
  • Blue = loaded stop in the routing mode; footer message reads Route, Leg, and Sequence #.

 

When stops (routing mode) are tightly grouped on the map, all stop info is displayed in one box; the footer lists the number of stops loaded vs. total stops displayed.

 


Tip: While we use the Stop File as our example in this section, the same can be applied to the Truck File and/or Route File (Truck Info box, Route Info box), as this option is available for any spreadsheet record.