If you have a list of locations in Excel containing latitude and longitude coordinates, you do not need to create every placemark manually in Google Earth Pro. You can prepare the coordinates in a spreadsheet, save the file as CSV, and import the points directly into Google Earth Pro.
This is useful for mapping survey points, monitoring stations, project locations, facilities, sampling sites, or other geographic data. Google Earth Pro converts imported coordinate records into placemarks that can be viewed and organised in the Places panel.
The workflow covered in the supplied reference material is essentially:
Excel → CSV → Google Earth Pro → latitude/longitude fields → styled points → KMZ
Prepare Your Coordinate Data
Before opening Google Earth Pro, prepare your spreadsheet.
A simple table could contain:
| Name | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Site A | -10.6800 | 35.6500 |
| Site B | -10.6900 | 35.6600 |
| Site C | -10.7000 | 35.6700 |
The latitude and longitude columns are the most important fields. Google Earth Pro supports coordinate data in formats including decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds, and degrees-decimal-minutes.
For a straightforward workflow, decimal degrees are convenient because they can be stored as numerical values in the spreadsheet.
If you also need to download the coordinate, see our guide on How to Extract Coordinates from Google Earth Pro, where we explain how to do it step by step.
Step 1: Save the Excel File as CSV
If your coordinates are currently in Microsoft Excel, save the spreadsheet as a CSV (Comma delimited) file.
In Excel:
- Open your coordinate table.
- Select File → Save As.
- Choose the location where you want to save the file.
- Select CSV as the file format.
- Save the file.
The reference material follows the same Excel-to-CSV workflow before importing the data into Google Earth Pro.
Step 2: Open Google Earth Pro
Launch Google Earth Pro on your computer.
You can optionally check the coordinate display format under Tools → Options → 3D View. Google Earth allows users to display coordinates as decimal degrees, DMS, DMM, or UTM.
Step 3: Import the CSV File
From the Google Earth Pro menu:
File → Import
Navigate to the folder containing your CSV file and select it.
Google Earth Pro opens an import window where you can specify how the information in the file should be interpreted. Google's official instructions identify Delimited as the field type for CSV data and Comma as the delimiter for a standard comma-separated file.
Check the preview before continuing. If the columns appear correctly separated, click Next.
Step 4: Select Latitude and Longitude
Google Earth Pro will ask you to identify the fields containing the geographic coordinates.
Select:
- Latitude → your latitude column
- Longitude → your longitude column
Make sure these fields are mapped correctly. Swapping latitude and longitude can place your points in a completely different location.
Google's import procedure specifically requires selecting the spreadsheet fields containing latitude and longitude information.
Click Next.
Step 5: Check the Field Types
Google Earth Pro may ask you to specify the type of each field.
Coordinate fields should be treated as numerical data. Other columns, such as site names, can be treated as text.
The reference workflow uses floating-point fields for latitude and longitude because coordinates can contain decimal values.
Click Finish when the fields are correctly configured.
Step 6: Apply a Style to the Imported Points
Google Earth Pro can ask whether you want to apply a style template to the imported features.
Selecting Yes allows you to customise how your points appear.
For example, you can use a name field to label locations and change the:
- Placemark icon
- Colour
- Label appearance
- Height settings
Google also allows style selections to be saved as a template for future datasets.
This is particularly useful when importing many similar datasets because you do not have to recreate the same visual settings every time.
Step 7: Check Your Imported Coordinates
After completing the import, Google Earth Pro displays the locations as placemarks.
Open the imported folder and turn its visibility on if necessary. Click individual points to check their names and coordinate information.
If a point appears in the wrong location, first check the original CSV for errors and confirm that the latitude and longitude fields were assigned correctly.
Step 8: Save the Imported Data as KMZ
Imported data can initially appear under Temporary Places. If you want to keep the data after closing Google Earth Pro, save it to a permanent location.
Right-click the imported data and choose the option to save the place or folder. The reference workflow saves the imported coordinate data as a KMZ file, which can then be shared or opened in supported geographic software.
Once you have completed this process, you may also want to learn How to Change Coordinates from Decimal Degrees to Degrees Minutes Seconds in Google Earth Pro, if you need to coordinate system of WGS84.
Google also recommends moving imported data out of Temporary Places when you want to preserve it.
Common CSV Import Problems
If Google Earth Pro does not display your coordinates correctly, check these points:
- Columns are combined: Make sure the CSV is actually comma-delimited and select Comma during import.
- Wrong location: Check that latitude and longitude have not been reversed.
- No points appear: Check the coordinate values and field assignments.
- Labels are missing: Use the style template and select the appropriate name field.
- Numbers are treated as text: Check the CSV formatting and field types. Google notes that quotation marks around numeric values can cause them to be interpreted as text.
Key Things to Remember
CSV import is particularly useful when you have many coordinate points. Instead of creating placemarks individually, you can prepare the data in a spreadsheet and import the entire dataset into Google Earth Pro.
For additional information and the latest guidance, see the official Google Earth Help documentation on Create and manage placemarks and coordinates.
For the best results, keep your latitude and longitude columns clearly identified, verify the coordinate format, check the import preview, and inspect several points after importing.
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