query_rendered_features: Query rendered features on a map in a Shiny session

In mapgl: Interactive Maps with 'Mapbox GL JS' and 'MapLibre GL JS'

Query rendered features on a map in a Shiny session

Description

This function queries features that are currently rendered (visible) in the map viewport. Only features within the current viewport bounds will be returned - features outside the visible area or hidden due to zoom constraints will not be included. Use get_queried_features() to retrieve the results as an sf object, or use the callback parameter to handle results automatically when they're ready.

Usage

query_rendered_features(
  proxy,
  geometry = NULL,
  layer_id = NULL,
  filter = NULL,
  callback = NULL
)

Arguments

proxy	A MapboxGL or Maplibre proxy object, defined with mapboxgl_proxy(), maplibre_proxy(), mapboxgl_compare_proxy(), or maplibre_compare_proxy()
geometry	The geometry to query. Can be: NULL (default): Query the entire viewport A length-2 vector c(x, y): Query at a single point in pixel coordinates A length-4 vector c(xmin, ymin, xmax, ymax): Query within a bounding box in pixel coordinates
layer_id	A character vector of layer names to include in the query. Can be a single layer name or multiple layer names. If NULL (default), all layers are queried.
filter	A filter expression used to filter features in the query. Should be a list representing a Mapbox GL expression. Using this parameter applies the filter during the query WITHOUT changing the map display, avoiding race conditions. If you've called set_filter() separately, you must pass the same filter here to get aligned results.
callback	A function to execute when results are ready. The function will receive the sf object as its argument. If provided, this avoids timing issues by automatically handling results when they're available.

Details

Viewport Limitation

This function only queries features that are currently rendered in the map viewport. Features outside the visible area will not be returned, even if they exist in the data source. This includes features that are:

• Outside the current map bounds

• Hidden due to zoom level constraints (minzoom/maxzoom)

• Not yet loaded (if using vector tiles)

Avoiding Race Conditions

IMPORTANT: set_filter() is asynchronous while query_rendered_features() is synchronous. Calling query_rendered_features() immediately after set_filter() will return features from the PREVIOUS filter state, not the new one.

Safe Usage Patterns:

Pattern 1: Query First, Then Filter (Recommended)

query_rendered_features(proxy, layer_id = "counties", callback = function(features) {
  # Process features, then update map based on results
  proxy |> set_filter("highlight", list("in", "id", features$id))
})

Pattern 2: Use Filter Parameter Instead

# Query with filter without changing map display
query_rendered_features(proxy, filter = list(">=", "population", 1000),
                         callback = function(features) {
  # Process filtered results without race condition
})

What NOT to Do:

# WRONG - This will return stale results!
proxy |> set_filter("layer", new_filter)
query_rendered_features(proxy, layer_id = "layer")  # Gets OLD filter results

Value

The proxy object (invisibly). Use get_queried_features() to retrieve the query results manually, or provide a callback function to handle results automatically.

Examples

## Not run: 
# Pattern 1: Query first, then filter (RECOMMENDED)
proxy <- maplibre_proxy("map")
query_rendered_features(proxy, layer_id = "counties", callback = function(features) {
  if (nrow(features) > 0) {
    # Filter map based on query results - no race condition
    proxy |> set_filter("selected", list("in", "id", features$id))
  }
})

# Pattern 2: Use filter parameter to avoid race conditions
query_rendered_features(proxy,
                        filter = list(">=", "population", 50000),
                        callback = function(features) {
  # These results are guaranteed to match the filter
  print(paste("Found", nrow(features), "high population areas"))
})

# Query specific bounding box with callback
query_rendered_features(proxy, geometry = c(100, 100, 200, 200),
                        layer_id = "counties", callback = function(features) {
  print(paste("Found", nrow(features), "features"))
})

# ANTI-PATTERN - Don't do this!
# proxy |> set_filter("layer", new_filter)
# query_rendered_features(proxy, layer_id = "layer")  # Will get stale results!

## End(Not run)

mapgl documentation built on Aug. 18, 2025, 5:35 p.m.