Import is a powerful feature to add and edit data on your interactive map.
With Import, you can pull lots of content into your map all at once. We recommend using this feature if you want to add more than 20 locations to your map.
You can also use the import for bulk updates or to change the order of locations on your map. Check our video tutorial of how to use the import feature –
With the Import and Export feature, you can:
How to import new locations
1. Generate a template
We recommend you first generate a template. To create a template, add at least a few locations on your map using the editor and then use the Export button to generate your template.
Important: In order to generate the template from the Export, you must first publish your map, otherwise the Export will return an empty file. To publish your map for the first time, click on the “Publish” button on top of the editor.
2. Add your data to the template
Add your data to the template. See below the specifications for each field.
The order of the locations in your map and categories will follow the order of the locations in the import file.
Save the file as CSV with utf8.
Important: Do not change the names of the import fields in the template header. The import will NOT work.
3. Import the data
Click on the import button and select the CSV file.
The order of the locations in your map and categories will follow the order of the locations in the import file.
The import fields
The following fields are supported for import. Please check carefully each field before creating your import file.
| Fields | Type | Description | Format | Range | Note |
| mapmeId | optional | Id | This field is used ONLY used when updating existing locations. It is generated with the data Export. | ||
| name | required | The name of the location | text up to 128 characters | ||
| description | optional | The description of the location | text up to 8192 characters | Can include HTML. We recommend no more than 1000 chars | |
| categories | optional | The category assigned to the location | text up to 128 characters per category | To select multiple categories, separate with “;” sign as in: category1;category2;category3 | |
| address | optional | The address of the location | text up to 256 characters | You can either enter the address or the lat/long. If you enter both the lat/long will be used to place the marker | |
| latitude | optional | The longitude of the location | number | -90 to 90 | |
| longitude | optional | The latitude of the location | number | -180 to 180 | |
| pitch | optional | The 3D effect of the location view | number | 0 to 60 | 0: the map is flat 60: the map is set at a 60-degree angle |
| zoom | optional | The zoom of the location view | number | 2 to 22 | 2: the map shows the entire world 22: the map is fully zoomed in 3D buildings are displayed at 15 and above |
| bearing | optional | The angle of the location view | number | 0 to 360 | |
| actionText | optional | The action button text | text up to 128 characters | Example: Book now | |
| actionUrl | optional | The action button URL | URL up to 1024 characters | Example: https://mywebsite.com Need to start with https:// | |
| imageUrl | optional | The image URL | URL up to 1024 characters | Example: https://mywebsite.com/myimage.jpg Need to start with https:// |
ADD Vs. SYNC import options
Note: the ADD or SYNC options are only relevant for maps with existing data. When importing data to a new map, both options will lead to the same result.
Import with the ADD option
When selecting the ADD option, the import will add new locations to the map.
Existing locations that are NOT in the import file will not be removed by the import and will remain on the map.
Import with the SYNC option
When selecting the SYNC option, the map will reflect exactly the content of the import file after the import.
All locations that were on the map prior to the import and which were not included in the import file will be removed.
Be aware that this cannot be undone.
Update, Delete or Sort your Locations
You can use the import and export feature to edit, delete or sort existing locations in your map. This can save you time if you want to make a large number of similar edits (bulk edit) such as change the 3D effect or zoom level of your location.
Update your locations
To update your locations, please use the following steps:
- Export the locations
- Edit your locations in the CSV file using Excel or Google docs. Make sure you save your file as CVS utf8
- Do not modify or delete the mapmeId field. It is used to identify the locations to be updated
- Select either the ADD or SYNC mode
- Import the updated file
Mass Delete Locations
- Export the locations
- Delete the locations you want to remove from your map in the CSV file using Excel or Google docs. Make sure you save your file as CSV utf8
- Select SYNC mode
- Import the updated file
Sort your locations
- Export the locations
- Change the order of your locations in the CSV file using Excel or Google docs. Make sure you save your file as CSV
- Do not modify or delete the mapmeId field. It is used to identify the locations to be updated
- Select the SYNC mode
- Import the updated file
Click here for more info on sorting locations into categories
Import of images
Online images can be imported by adding in the header the field “imageUrl”.
The image URL needs to start with https, for example: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons//Tour_Eiffel_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg
Export your Map Locations
You can use the Export feature to get a file with all your location data. The file will be in a CSV format.
The Export feature takes the data from all the published locations as well as locations that are still in draft mode. So the data export reflects exactly the locations displayed in the preview.
Locations that you have deleted are not exported even if you have not published the map after deleting those locations.
To export your locations, on the Import and Export tab, simply click on the Export option.
Important note about editing using Excel
If you are using non-English or special characters, your CSV file must be encoded in the UTF-8 or UTF-16. Excel 2011 and beyond do not have options to encode UTF files.
Before importing, you can change Excel ANSI encoding to UTF-8 with Notepad. Open the .csv file in notepad then select File > Save As. At the bottom you will see encoding set to ANSI, change it to UTF-8 and save the file.
You can also use Google Sheet to save your import data as CSV files.
If you have a KML file (e.g generated from a Google My Map), you can use one of the online converters to generate a CSV file.
Text with Double quotes
If you want to import text with a double-quote, you will need to escape the double quote using another double quote as in this example:
Beautiful house in the heart of the “”hells kitchen””, lots to eat, and drinks in that block.