Most folks know that using Excel is a great way to store location data, as you can easily arrange addresses, city names, states, zip codes, and other pertinent information into neat rows and columns. 

With ShowMyMap, you can create an interactive map using your Excel location data in a jiffy! But why bother with a map, you might ask?

Having a map to visualize your data can help you formulate an efficient plan on how to go about following up on your company’s lead prospects, for example, or picking up donations for your community drive, or figuring out the best route when picking up and walking dogs from all over the neighborhood.

ShowMyMap’s interactive map also allows you to click on any markers to get more information on any location data; choose specific location data/map markers to display; zoom and pan the map; share the map with others; and many more.

Generate Your Map From Excel

You can easily convert your spreadsheet data into a map using ShowMyMap’s convenient tools and advanced algorithms, and with the benefit of Google Maps’ innovative API. you may even use Numbers or Google Docs to organize your location data and still be able to generate a map from it. 

The more data you have, the better your map will look. But you can also create a map from only a single column of data, such as if you only have city names or zip codes. 

If you have your location data on hand, you can start creating your map now! Just follow the steps below. 

1. Once your spreadsheet is open, press Ctrl + A or Cmd + A to select your location data. 
2. Press Ctrl + C or Cmd + C to copy the data. 
3. Go to the ShowMyMap homepage: https://www.showmymap.com/.  
4. In the Copy + Paste Your Data box, paste your data by pressing Ctrl + V or Cmd + V. 
5. Click “Create Map.”*Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop your XLS or CSV file into the appropriate box
6. You will be prompted to use the Geo Decoding section. Choose allthe appropriate fields that apply to your location data, i.e., if your data includes an address, city or county, state, zip code, and/or latitude and longitude.*You may opt to configure the Map Preview and Customize Map sections before proceeding to the final steps. Or you can make changes to your map after it’s been created and saved.
7. Click “Make Map” and wait for the ShowMyMap’s geocoder to do its job. 
8. When the geocoding process is done, you will be prompted to “Save Map & Continue.”
9. Select how you want to save your map: public, unlisted/private, or password protected. 
10. Input your map’s title, your email, and any notes or description you might want to add (the latter is optional).  
11. Click “Save Map.” Once your map has been saved, you will be provided with your map’s URL.  
12. Click “View Saved Map” and then you will be directed to your map page.

Watch The How-To Video

Here’s a short video to show you how the process works.

Map Sharing

If you saved your map as “Public” or “Unlisted,” you can give others access to it in a number of ways. Anybody who has access will also be able to explore your map using the many, helpful features of ShowMyMap. Here are your options for sharing. 

1. Copy your map’s URL from your web browser’s location bar, and then paste the URL into an email, an instant message, or anywhere you want it posted, such as on your Twitter account and Facebook page.
2. Embed your map directly into a web page, or embed a simple badge that shows a map preview and which is linked to your full map. You can retrieve the embed code from the email you received when you saved your map. An embed code is also provided when you edit your map. 
3. Load the KML version of your map to view it in Google Earth