Getting to Know Google Maps Engine

Getting to Know Google Maps Engine

Getting to know Google Maps Engine

  1. Map Panel- Displays the title, description, layers, and items of the currently open map.
  2. Search Box - Search for places, businesses, intersections, addresses and more on Google Maps.
  3. Map Tools- Includes undo, redo, select, marker, line/shape, directions, and ruler.
  4. Menu- Includes new, open, delete, embed, and export functions. Maps are saved automatically as changes are made.
  5. Layer Options- Maps can have multiple layers of data formatted with consistent color schemes, icons, and labels. Location data from spreadsheets can also be imported into layers.
  6. Items-Markers, shapes, and lines that are added to a map will be listed below each layer title.
  7. Base Map- Select the desired version of your base map.
  8. Share- Your map can be shared at any time to anyone on the Internet, to only people with the link, or to specific people you invite. Other map users can be given the ability to edit, or just to view.
  9. Zoom- Use these buttons or a scrolling mouse wheel to zoom in or out of the map.

Creating a Custom Map

  1. Navigate to
  2. Sign in to your Google account using the link in top right corner.
  3. Click the Create a new map button.
  4. Click on “Untitled map” in the upper left to add a Title and Description for your map.
  5. Click the Save button.

Editing a Saved Map

  1. Navigate to
  2. Sign in to your Google account using the link in top right corner.
  3. Click the Opena map button.
  4. Choose your map and click Select.

Adding and EditingMarkers

  1. Use the search bar to find a location.
  2. Method 1:
  3. Click on a suggestedmarker on the map and choose Add to Map.
  4. Click the pencil icon to edit the title and description.
  1. Method 2:
  2. Find your desired location on the map.
  3. Click on the Add Marker icon.
  4. Your cursor will turn into a plus sign. Click your mouse button on the map to place your marker.
  5. Add a Title and Descriptionin the info window and click Save.
  1. Add an optional web image or video to your marker by clicking on the camera icon in the edit mode of the info box.
  2. Add a link to a website by simply typing the URL into the description box.
  1. You can change the icon style for your marker by clicking the paint bucket icon next to the saved location in your map panel.
  1. To movea marker, click on it once in the map or left panel to open the info window.Then drag the marker to its new location.
  1. To edit a marker's title or description, click on it once in the map or left panel to open the info window and thenclick on the pencil.
  1. To delete a marker, click on it once in the map or left panel to open the info window and thenclick on the trash can.

Adding and Editing Lines or Shapes

  1. Click the Draw a line icon.
  2. Your cursor will turn into a plus sign. Click once on the map to start the line or shape.
  3. Click at each point of your line or shape.
  4. To pan the map, click and hold the mouse then move your cursor to the edge of the map.
  5. To finish drawing your line, double click on the last point. To finish drawing your shape, click on the starting point to complete it.
  6. Add a Title and Description in the info window and click Save.
  1. To move a line, click once on the line and then drag the points.
  2. To delete a point from your line, right-click on the point and choose Delete point.
  3. To add a point to your line, click on one of the semi-transparent points on the line.
  4. You can change the line and shapeappearance by clicking the paint bucket icon next to the saved item in your map panel.

Sharing Maps

  1. Click the green Share button.
  2. Click Change... and choose a visibility option:
  3. Public on Web: anyone with Internet access can find, no sign in required
  4. Anyone with the Link: anyone who has the link can access, no sign in required
  5. Specific People: only people explicitly granted permission can access
  6. Click Save.
  7. If you chose “Anyone with the Link” then copy the URL and share it with people.
  8. If you chose “Specific People” then type the email addresses of the people you want to share with in the text box below "Invite people." You can add a single person, a mailing list, or choose from your contacts.
  9. Choose the access level from the drop-down menu next to each collaborator: "Can view," or "Can edit."
  10. Click Done.
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