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To import a list of locations, use Google My Maps on a computer: prepare a supported file or Google Sheet with a header row and a location column, then add a layer and import the data. My Maps is the custom-map tool behind this workflow; Google says maps created in My Maps can be viewed in Google Maps on a computer. The import controls are not available in the Google Maps phone apps. Google’s import instructions and platform guidance explain the supported process.
What you need before importing
Use Google My Maps on a computer and sign in to your Google account. Your locations can come from a spreadsheet or a supported file. Google lists CSV, TSV, KML, KMZ, GPX, XLSX, Google Sheets, and photos stored in Google Drive or Google Photos as import sources. Photo imports are a separate option; the column and row guidance below applies to data files.
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For a data file, put column titles in the first row and include at least one field My Maps can use to locate or draw each feature:
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- Latitude and longitude coordinates
- Street addresses
- Place names
- WKT-formatted geometry
CSV files and Google Sheets can contain WKT geometry. Google specifies that the WKT column should be named WKT; during import, select that column when prompted so My Maps interprets the values as geometry.
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Check Google’s import limits
Google’s My Maps Help page says not to import files with more than 2,000 rows. It lists a maximum of 5 MB for unzipped KML or KMZ files, 40 MB for other supported file types, and 100 photos per import. The Help page does not state when these limits were last updated.
Import a file, spreadsheet, or address list
- Open My Maps on a computer. Go to Google My Maps and sign in. Open a map you made, viewed, or that was shared with you, or choose Create a new map. Google’s map creation and access instructions describe these options.
- Add a layer. In the map legend, click Add layer. A layer holds the imported locations or features.
- Name the layer and choose Import. Enter a useful name, then click Import beneath the layer.
- Select your source. Upload the supported file or choose the appropriate source, such as a Google Sheet, and confirm the selection.
- Choose the location field if prompted. Select the column containing addresses, place names, or coordinates. If you are importing WKT geometry, choose the WKT column so the geometry is used to place the feature.
- Review the map. Check that the expected features appear in the correct places and that the layer contains the data you intended to import.
Google documents this workflow, but it does not guarantee that malformed or incomplete files will import successfully. If the file is rejected or locations do not appear as expected, use the checks below.
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Update data in an existing layer
For Google Sheets and CSV data, My Maps offers distinct reimport choices. Pick based on whether you want to replace, update, append, or combine data; these options do not have the same effect. When matching rows, use a stable shared identifier, such as a record ID, where possible. Google asks you to select corresponding columns, but does not promise that differently formatted address strings will be matched automatically.
| Reimport option | What happens | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Replace all items | The layer’s map data is replaced with features from the selected file. Google says styles set by a data column are copied to the replacement data. | A complete refresh when the new file should become the layer’s full contents. |
| Update matching items | You choose a column in the existing layer and its corresponding column in the uploaded data. Matching features are preserved, including photos and custom styles; new uploaded features are added; old features with no match are deleted. | Refreshing matched records while retaining their existing photos and custom styles. Check the match key carefully because unmatched old items are removed. |
| Add more items | Data from the sheet or CSV is appended to the existing layer. | Adding rows without replacing existing layer data. |
| Merge matching items | Datasets are combined using a shared or matching column. | Joining related information, such as state data and election data matched by state code. |
Google’s instructions for updating map data describe these reimport choices. Before choosing an update action, confirm whether unmatched old features should remain or be removed.
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Fix common import problems
- The file is not accepted: Check that it is one of Google’s supported formats and within the applicable row and file-size limits. For non-photo data, make sure the first row contains column titles.
- Locations are not recognized: Verify that the chosen column contains usable addresses, place names, latitude/longitude coordinates, or WKT geometry. If the file has multiple plausible columns, select the correct location field when My Maps asks.
- A Drive source will not open: Google advises allowing
https://mymaps.google.com/to open Drive where relevant. - WKT imports as map geometry: That is expected when you select the WKT column. Google cautions that editing this column afterward may be difficult, so keep the source geometry intact if you may need to change it.
- A KML import is missing elements: My Maps may omit some KML content, including HTML or JavaScript in info balloons, tours, time-based elements, image and screen overlays, MultiGeometries, 3D models, and folders. A successful import does not necessarily mean every complex KML feature was carried over.
Can you import locations from a phone?
No. Google says My Maps is not available on Android or iPhone and iPad. Use a computer for the documented import workflow. My Maps maps can be viewed through Google Maps on a computer, but that does not make the phone app an import interface. See Google’s platform availability guidance.
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