How to Import KML, GPX and GeoJSON, and Export Your Places

Updated 6 October 2026

You can drop a KML, GPX, GeoJSON, Excel or CSV file straight into the Map Studio, check the preview and add the places to your map. When you are done, export your places as GeoJSON, KML or CSV to use them in other tools.

What each format is

KML is the format used by Google Earth and Google My Maps. It holds placemarks with names and descriptions.
GPX is the format of GPS devices, fitness watches and hiking apps. It holds waypoints and recorded tracks.
GeoJSON is an open web format used by many mapping tools and developers.
CSV and Excel are plain tables with a name and a latitude and longitude on each row.

Import a file

Open the Map Studio and go to the Places tab.
Drop the file onto the import box, or click it to browse.
Check the preview. Good rows are ready to import, and any row with a problem is highlighted with the reason, such as a latitude outside the valid range.
If a spreadsheet uses unusual headings, choose which column holds the name, latitude, longitude and category.
Press Import valid rows. The map zooms to your places.

Export your places

In the Export tab, choose a data format under Export locations and press Download locations. GeoJSON suits web tools and developers. KML opens in Google Earth and My Maps. CSV opens in Excel and Google Sheets and is the easiest to edit by hand. Names, categories and coordinates are included.

Move places between tools

From Google Earth: save your places as KML and import the file here.
From a hiking watch or app: export the GPX file, import it, and style the waypoints with your own colours and names.
To a spreadsheet: export CSV, tidy the data, and import it again when you are ready.
To a colleague: save the project file. It keeps positions, styles and settings, so they see exactly what you see.

If an import does not work

No places appear. The file may hold only lines or areas. Place markers need points.
Pins land in the wrong country. Latitude and longitude may be swapped. Check the preview.
Odd characters in names. Save the file as UTF-8 before importing.
The file is very large. Split it into smaller files by region and import each.

Privacy

Files are read in your browser and are not uploaded to a server. See the privacy policy for the details.

Prepare a spreadsheet for a clean import

Most import problems come from the table, not the tool. A few minutes of tidying saves a lot of fixing later.

One place per row. Avoid merged cells, subtotals and notes in the middle of the table.
Clear headings in the first row, for example Name, Latitude, Longitude and Category. The Studio recognises these automatically.
Keep coordinates in their own columns. Do not combine latitude and longitude in one cell unless you separate them with a comma and use the paste box instead.
Use a Category column if you want colours by group, such as Hospital, School or Depot.
Delete blank rows and hidden sheets you do not need.

A simple example

A file with the rows "Head office, 24.8607, 67.0011, Office" and "Depot, 24.9056, 67.0822, Warehouse" imports as two pins with names and categories. Turn on Colour by category in the Style tab and each group gets its own colour, ready for a legend.

Keep a backup of your data

Your places are saved in your browser automatically, but a copy you control is safer. Export your places as CSV or GeoJSON and save the project file now and then. The project file also keeps styles, label positions and routes, which a plain data export does not.

Check the result after importing

Once the places are on the map, zoom out to see them all and look for stragglers far from the rest. A single pin in another country usually means one row has swapped or mistyped coordinates. Click that place in the Locations list, correct it, and carry on. Then save the project file so the cleaned version is the one you keep.

Common questions

Can I import a GPS track as a line?

Place markers are imported as pins. To show a path, draw a route or an area with Routes and areas in the Studio.

Which format should I export?

Use CSV for spreadsheets, KML for Google Earth and GeoJSON for web tools. If you are not sure, CSV is the safest.

For a spreadsheet walkthrough, read how to plot coordinates from Excel. If your coordinates are in degrees, minutes and seconds, see the converter guide.