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Import/Export: Descriptions, Examples, Restrictions and Workarounds - CSV, DXF, GeoJSON, GPX, KML, KMZ, SHP

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Description and example of a CSV file

CSV stands for Comma Separated Values, a text file format for storing tabular data (rows and columns).

If you view the contents of the CSV file in text editor software, the values are separated by commas.

An example use for a CSV file is: You can use MS Excel to view the listed attribute data describing the overlays (markers, etc.) on a map. 

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Definitions for the types of data

Definitions.png

There are 2 levels of column headings:
  • Top-headings.
  • Lower-headings.

Each top heading displays a definable heading. 

Note: When you use your own spreadsheet data, the definable headings are the data in the column heading cells from your spreadsheet.
 
Each lower heading is the preset heading that’s currently selected in the drop-down list.
For example; "Title" and "Description".
Note: You'll learn about each preset heading in STEP 3 of the current article: View the reference list describing the purpose of each preset heading
 
Below the two-column headings, you will see the rest of the cells, each called a: value cell. This is the data from the regular cells (not column headings) in your spreadsheet.
Note: If a column of value cells is numerical data, you can create a heatmap to visually compare each marker's number. We recommend you first complete STEPS 1-3 of the current article. Then you'll be ready to learn about heatmaps by visiting this link: Add a heatmap base layer at marker locations

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View the reference list describing the purpose of each preset heading

Note: If you want the app to automatically select the preset heading, write the exact spelling for the definable heading.
For example: "Latitude".
REFERENCE LIST CONTENTS
 
 

Marker

 
 
 

Address

 
 
 

Coordinates

 
 
Notes:
 
The data from certain preset headings is also added to the marker's list of attributes. These are the preset headings:
  • Folder.
  • Attribute.
  • Rotation.
  • Address.
  • City.
  • State/Province.
  • Country.
  • Zip/Postal Code.
If you’re creating a heatmap to compare numerical data in a column, you must select the preset heading: "Attribute".
 
To learn how to create a heatmap, visit this link: Add a heatmap base layer at marker locations
 

MARKER

Preset heading:  "Title" 
Note:  If you don't select "Title" for one of the columns, the left-side column will be automatically considered the "Title" column. So the value cells located in the left-side column will be considered the marker titles. 
Definable heading:  N/A
Value cell:  The marker's title. 
Where in app? 
You will see the value cell's text in the:
  • Marker's row in the Layers Panel.
  • Marker editor window.
  • Info bubble - (top).
 
For example:   Value cell:
"Bernal McDonalds".

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Preset heading:  "Description" 
Definable heading:  N/A
Value cell:  The marker's description.
Where in app? 
You will see the value cell's text in the:
  • Marker editor window.
  • Info bubble - (top).
 
For example:  Value cell:
"105 Bernal Rd".

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Preset heading:  "Folder" 
Definable heading:  The category describing the folders.
Value cell:  The name of the folder containing the marker.
Where in app?  You will see the value cell's text on the folder's row in the: Layers Panel.
 
"Folder" data is also added to the marker's list of attributes. So you will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"Group".
 
Value cell:
"California".

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Preset heading:  "Attribute" 
Note:  You can produce the same results as "Attribute" by not changing the default preset heading: "Select".
 
Learn the basics about attributes by visiting this link: How to manually add an attribute to an overlay
Definable heading:  The category ("attribute-name") describes the "attribute-values".
Value cell:  The "attribute-value" describes the marker.
Where in the app?  You will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"Website".
 
Value cell:
"http://www.mccalifornia.com/21146".

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Preset heading:  "Rotation" 
Note:  The direction rotates clockwise starting from North as 0°.
Definable heading:  The category describing the rotations.
Value cell:  A number from 0 to 360.
Where in the app?  In the Map View, you will see the marker is a red arrow pointing in the direction specified as the value cell's number.
 
"Rotation" data is also added to the marker's list of attributes. So you will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"Direction".
 
Value cell:
"95".

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ADDRESS

Note:
Unique location data enables the app to select the correct location to place a marker. So consider which combinations of preset headings will produce unique location data.
For example; The preset headings ("Address", "Zip/Postal Code", and "Country") will produce more unique location data than only ("Address", and "Country").
 
Your account will be debited a single geocode for each location you import/convert from an address into coordinates on the map.
 
If you provide a location's coordinates instead of an address, your account won't be debited a geocode.
 
To learn more, visit this link: Purchase more geocodes
 
Preset heading:  "Address" 
Definable heading:  The category describing the addresses.
Value cell:  The address of the marker location. 
Where in app?  In Map View, you will see the marker located at the address.
 
"Address" data is also added to the marker's list of attributes. So you will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"Address".
 
Value cell:
"105 Bernal Rd".

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Preset heading:  "City" 
Definable heading:  The category describing the cities/towns/etc.
Value cell: The city/town/etc. of the marker location.
Where in app?  In Map View, you will see the marker located in the city/town/etc.
 
"City" data is also added to the marker's list of attributes. So you will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"City".
 
Value cell:
"San Jose".

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Preset heading:  "State/Province"
Definable heading:  The category describes the states/provinces.
Value cell:  The state/province/etc. of the marker location.
Where in the app?  In Map View, you will see the marker located in the state/province/etc.
 
"State/Province" data is also added to the marker's list of attributes. So you will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"State".
 
Value cell:
"CA".

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Preset heading:  "Country" 
Definable heading:  The category describes the countries.
Value cell:  The country of the marker location.
Where in the app?  In Map View, you will see the marker located in the country.
 
"Country" data is also added to the marker's list of attributes. So you will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"Country".
 
Value cell:
"United States".

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Preset heading:  "Zip/Postal Code"
Definable heading:  The category describing the Zip/Postal Codes/etc.
Value cell:  The Zip/Postal Code/etc. of the marker location.
Where in the app?  In the Map View, you will see the marker located in the Zip/Postal Code/etc.
 
"Zip/Postal Code" data is also added to the marker's list of attributes. So you will see the data from both the "definable heading" and the "value cell" in the: Info bubble - (listed).
For example:  Definable heading:
"Zip".
 
Value cell:
"95119".

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COORDINATES

Note: You can import unlimited locations into maps if you use coordinates instead of addresses.
 
Preset heading:  "Latitude" 
Definable heading:  N/A
Value cell:  The latitude coordinate of the marker in the format: DD (Decimal Degrees).
Where in the app?  In Map View, you will see the marker is located at the latitude coordinate.
 
You will see the value cell's coordinate in the: Marker editor window. 
For example:  Value cell:
"37.231648400".

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Preset heading:  "Longitude" 
Definable heading:  N/A
Value cell:  The longitude coordinate of the marker in the format: DD (Decimal Degrees).
Where in the app?  In Map View, you will see the marker is located at the longitude coordinate.
 
You will see the value cell's coordinate in the: Marker editor window. 
For example:  Value cell:
"-121.773259500".

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Description and example of a DXF file

DXF stands for Drawing Interchange Format, a file format developed by Autodesk. A DXF file contains vector data that can be used in CAD (computer-aided design), and other types of software. An example use for a DXF file is: you can transfer the data for a polygon into Autodesk's AutoCAD. 

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Description and example of a GeoJSON file

GeoJSON is a file format for displaying geospatial data in online maps.

A GeoJSON file contains annotated geographic data in a JSON-based format.

An example use for a GeoJSON file is: you can transfer the data for marker locations from ArcGIS (Esri) into Scribble Maps.

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Description and example of a GPX file

GPX stands for GPS Exchange Format, an open standard used in many devices and programs. A GPX file contains GPS and attribute data in XML format. An example use for a GPX file is: you can transfer the data for a hiking trail into Google Earth Pro.

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Description and example of a KML file

KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language, a file format for displaying geographic data in online maps (2D) and Earth browsers (3D).

A KML file contains annotated geographic data in XML format. Examples of the data include; polygons, lines, captions, icons, and image overlays (via URLs).

An example use for a KML file is: you can transfer data for a hiking trail from Google Earth Pro into Scribble Maps.

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Why isn't the data displayed in the Layers Panel?

If the data doesn't appear in the Layers Panel, you may need to perform a hard refresh in your browser. Then start the import procedure from the beginning.

These instructions explain how to perform a hard refresh in several popular web browsers:
  • Windows - "Chrome"/"Firefox"/"IE"/"Edge"
    Quick Key: Hold down the "Ctrl" key, and press the "F5" key.
     
  • Mac - "Chrome"/"Firefox" / "Safari"
    Quick Key: Hold the "command" key, and press the "R" key.

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Why won't the KML file import or upload?

To import/upload a .kml file into Scribble Maps, the .kml file must contain the actual data. Open the KML file to make sure it doesn't contain a list of links to KML files.

Note: KML files that are linked to other KMLs or Web Map services DO NOT work. This is the most common reason KML files fail to import. 

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How do I import or upload a KMZ file?

A KMZ file is a zipped folder containing usable KML file(s).

A KMZ file cannot be used in Scribble Maps.
 
You can extract the KML files for import/upload in Scribble Maps. 

To extract the usable KML file(s), unzip the KMZ file by using an online service, such as:
www.ezyzip.com > Extract KMZ file

To learn more about KMZ files, visit these external links:

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Description and example of a SHP file

SHP stands for shapefile, a file format developed and regulated by Esri. The downloaded shapefile is a compressed zip file.

Inside the zip file, the required individual files (.shp, .shx, and .dbf) contain vector and attribute data for map locations.

An example use for a shapefile is: you can transfer the data for a hiking trail into ArcGIS (Esri), or Google Earth Pro.

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How do I import or upload a SHP file?

A SHP file is a zipped folder containing usable SHP file(s).

A SHP file on its own will not work.

To import SHP, be sure to use the entire Zip file, which includes .shp, .shx, and .dbf required files.

Note: SHP files do not have to be in a .zip file. You can drag-and-drop all the files at once to also work. If imported separately, they will NOT work.

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See also

Import/Export Files & Data - GeoJSON, images, PDF, CSV, KML, GXP, SHP, DXF, SMJSON, SMT, WKT, etc.

How to manually add an attribute to an overlay

You can filter which marker overlays are displayed by considering attributes. To learn how; visit this link:
Create a filter to segment which overlays are displayed

Format the date/time data to prepare the imported spreadsheet for filtering

Add a heatmap base layer at marker locations

Purchase more geocodes

 
 

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