Meta-representational competence (diSessa, 2004) encompasses ability to choose the optimal external representation for a task and to use novel external representations productively. Research on this aspect of spatial intelligence reveals large individual differences in ability to adaptively choose and use external visual-spatial representations for a task. This research suggests that we should not just think of interactive external visualizations as ways of augmenting spatial intelligence, but also consider the types of intelligence that are required for their use.