Import a KML file containing a polygon of a region (country, state, city, ZIP code, etc.)

Note:
The region you want to import might be available as a preset in Scribble Maps. Visit this link to learn how to: Produce a preset polygon of a region (country, state, city, etc.)

 

For a general instruction explaining how to import a KML file, visit this link:
Import a KML file - "Menu > Import KML"

 

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

Contents

Description of a KML file

Download the KML file from a web page

Upload the KML file from your computer into Scribble Maps

View and save the polygons

(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 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).

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

Download the KML file from a web page

1. Perform a web search for a KML file including polygon(s) representing a defined area. 
   For example, you could perform a Google search for "site:data.gov New York community districts KML". Then you could find this web page in the search results:

   https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/community-districts/resource/26641906-8d2e-4363-b13a-e2108403d021
    
2. Download the file.
    
3. You will see the downloaded file in your browser. The file's default location will usually be your computer’s "Downloads" folder. The file’s:
   • Type will be: "KML".
   • Name will end with: ".kml".
    
4. (Optional) You can quickly view the XML data if you open the file by using text editor software. For example:
   • Notepad on Windows systems.
   • TextEdit on Mac systems.

Upload the KML file from your computer into Scribble Maps

1. Login to your Scribble Maps account at:
   https://www.scribblemaps.com/create 
   (Optional) To learn how to login, visit this link:
   How to login / register
    
2. Click the "MENU" button in the top toolbar.
    
3. Under the "Share, Other" heading, click the button: "Import KML".
    
4. Under the "KML File" heading, click the button: "UPLOAD FILE".
   The "Open" window will appear.
    
5. In your computer, find the KML file. Click to select the file. Then click the "Open" button.
   A pop-up will appear displaying the message: "KML Imported".
    
6. Click the "Ok" button.
    

View and save the polygons

1. (Optional) In the 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, you will see the map zooms to/from 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.

    

    
2. (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.

    

    
3. Save the map.
   To learn how to save maps, visit this link: Save a map

(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 down 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

Draw a large and detailed polygon

Create a smoother version of a line/border - "Smoothing > Bezier"

You can use a imported region polygon to create a clickable region. For example: Districts in New York City. A map viewer can then click on the polygon to hyperlink to a district's Wikipedia page. To learn how to create clickable regions, visit this link:
Create a clickable region polygon for linking to a web page

You can also add a clickable region polygon to an embedded map on a website. For example, the website of a real estate company. A website visitor can then click on the polygon to hyperlink to a web page displaying the properties for sale in the region. To learn how to embed maps on blogs and websites, visit this link:
Embed a map on a blog/website - General