The Internet is changing the way maps are viewed
Google Maps is a popular and free online mapping service that provides traditional maps, driving directions, location photos and satellite imagery. Within seconds, any Internet user can quickly discover an address and many details about its location. While Google Maps also allows for the simultaneous plotting of numerous locations on a single map, its online interface does not make this feature accessible. Instead, location data must be created in a spreadsheet and converted into a "KML" file format that is understood by Google Maps. These steps are straightforward, and do require an additional data conversion utility.
Instructions
1. Acquire spreadsheet software. Use any spreadsheet program you desire. Microsoft Excel is a common application for this purpose, but there are also many free options. The Open Office suite is free open-source office software, including a spreadsheet program. Google also provides a free online spreadsheet program in its Google Docs system.
2. Locate a spreadsheet conversion utility that transfers data into the Google Maps data format. Batch Geo is a good free option that allows anyone to quickly paste map data into the Batch Geo website and immediately convert and map the data on Google Maps.
3. Enter your mapping data into a spreadsheet. Follow the spreadsheet format required by the mapping utility you will use. For Batch Geo, for example, the map data must be separated into multiple columns to separate the street address from the rest of the address. Additional columns provide the name of each address for its plotted location on the Google Maps website.
4. Copy the spreadsheet data. Use your mouse to drag over the columns and the rows that contain information. Then use the copy button or the "Control-C" keyboard shortcut to copy the data.
5. Paste the map data into the map utility. Then press the utility's convert or map button to complete the process. The data is opened in Google Maps and each location is identified.
Tags: Google Maps, data into, spreadsheet program, conversion utility, data must