Notes:
To import a KML file, you must be logged-in to a Pro account. To learn how to upgrade, visit this link: How to upgrade to a Pro account

 

For a specific instruction explaining how to import a KML file containing a polygon of a region, visit this link instead:
Import a KML file containing a polygon of a region (country, state, city, ZIP code, etc.)

Contents

Description and example of a KML file

Import the KML file

(Optional) How do I import or upload a KMZ file?

(Optional) Troubleshooting - Why isn't the data displayed in the Layers Panel?

(Optional) Troubleshooting - Why won't the KML file import or upload?

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: lines, polygons, 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.

To learn more about KML files, visit this external link: KML Documentation Introduction

Import the KML file

Note:
If you need sample data, you can download the KML file at this link:

data.gov > City of New York > Community Districts

1. Login to your Scribble Maps account at:
   https://www.scribblemaps.com/create 
   (Optional) To learn how to log in, visit this link:
   How to login/register
    
2. Click the "MENU" button in the top toolbar. Then, under the "Share, Other" heading, click the button: "Import File".
   OR
   Click on the Import File button at the top of the Layer's Panel displaying the tooltip: "Import Files & Data".
   Regardless of the method you choose, the "Import Files & Data" window will appear.
    
3. Under the "Upload files" heading, click the button: "Choose file". On your computer, find the KML file. Click to select the file. Then click the "Open" button. The file will be listed in the box on the left.
   OR
   Drag & drop the file into the window.
    
    
   Note: You can also drag & drop the file directly into Map View. This method will take you directly to this point.

(Optional) Import Styling

1. Select the colour and style for any lines or polygons you might have in your KML file.
   • Choose the colour/pattern of the fill area.
      

     For help with pattern fill, visit: Choose the fill pattern.

      
      
   • Change the line/border colour.
   • Change the line/border thickness.
   • Change the line/border style.
   • Change the end cap style.
    
2. Select the Marker style for any markers you might have in your kml file by clicking on the marker icon.
   The marker selector window will pop up.

   For help selecting a marker, visit: Create a marker - (Marker Tool).

3. From the Detail drop down menu, select the detail level.

   A lower number will mean higher performance.

   A higher number will provide more acuracy at closer zooms but have lower performance.

   If creating a zoomed out map or creating a lot of regions it is best to use a low number.

    
4. Check Restrict to Area.
   Restricts the data imported to a selected area (shape/polygon). Useful when importing large data sets to keep map size down.

Complete the import

1. Click the "Import Files" button.
    
2. (Optional) In Map View, you may need to move and zoom the map to see the imported data. 

   To move the map:

   1. Select the Hand Tool in the top toolbar.
   2. In the center of the Map View, you will see the crosshair reticle.
   3. In the Map View, click-and-drag the map so the chosen location is at the reticle.
      When you later zoom-in, you will see the map zooms in to the location at the reticle.

   To zoom-in/out, there are 2 options:

   Option 1

   In the top-right corner of the Map View, click the:

   • Zoom-in button, "+".
   • Zoom-out button, "-".

   Option 2

   Use the scroll wheel on your mouse.

   For Windows

   • Scroll forwards to zoom-in.
   • Scroll backwards to zoom-out.

    

   For Mac

   • Scroll backwards to zoom-in.
   • Scroll forwards to zoom-out.

    

    
3. (Optional) You can center the map to display a specific:
   • Folder/group of overlays.
   • Single overlay.

   To center the map:

   1. (Optional) If the "LAYERS" Panel isn't open on the right-side of the browser window, click the vertical bar. 
   2. Find the group or single overlay's row in the Layers Panel.
   3. Click the centering button.
      The centering button is the gray circle with a dot at the center.

    

(Optional) 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

• KMZ File Format
• KMZ Files

(Optional) Troubleshooting - 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.

• Windows - "Chrome"/"Firefox"/"IE"/"Edge"
  Hold down the "Ctrl" key, and press the "F5" key.
   
• Mac - "Chrome"/"Firefox" / "Safari"
  Hold the "command" key, and press the "R" key.

(Optional) Troubleshooting - 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.

See also

Import spreadsheet data to produce markers on a map - (MS Excel/Google Sheets/etc.)

Import map data from a GeoJSON file - "Menu > Import GeoJSON"

Import map data from Google My Maps