Geocode the spreadsheet addresses into separate latitude and longitude columns, review failed or approximate results, then create a Google My Maps layer and import the Sheet. Choose the coordinate columns to position each placemark and a stable name or ID column as the marker title.
Give the map a stable table, not a visual spreadsheet
My Maps treats each row as one feature. Keep the header in the first row and use descriptive, unique column names. A practical map table includes a stable ID, marker title, address, latitude, longitude, category and any text you want in the marker description.
| Column | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Location ID | Stable key for updates | STORE-014 |
| Name | Marker title | North Loop showroom |
| Address | Human-readable reference | 123 Example Ave, Minneapolis, MN |
| Latitude | North–south position | 44.986 |
| Longitude | East–west position | -93.276 |
| Category | Styling and filtering | Retail |
Geocode and review before importing
Select the address rows, return latitude, longitude and status, then filter anything that did not geocode. Coordinates should remain numeric and in separate columns. Latitude must be between -90 and 90; longitude must be between -180 and 180.
Review at least a sample on an independent map. A coordinate pair can be syntactically valid while representing a city center instead of the intended building. Add city, region, postal code and country when source addresses are ambiguous.
Import the Google Sheet into a layer
- Create or open a map.
Visit Google My Maps and create a new map under the intended Google account.
- Add a layer and choose Import.
Select Google Drive, locate the prepared spreadsheet, and choose the correct worksheet.
- Choose position columns.
Select latitude and longitude. If you use one combined coordinate field, verify its order.
- Choose the marker title.
Use a human-readable name backed by a stable ID—not the address if several records share one building.
- Style and inspect.
Color markers by category, open samples and confirm that descriptions contain no data you should not share.
Plan the update process before sharing the URL
Google documents replacing all items, updating matching items and adding new items through reimport. Stable IDs reduce ambiguity. Keep the source spreadsheet as the system of record, document which column is the merge key and test reimport on a copy of the map.
Respect the 2,000-row import limit and sharing model
Google currently says not to import files with more than 2,000 rows. Dividing a dataset into random layers can make a map technically importable but unusable. For larger datasets, choose a platform designed for clustering, filtering and access control at that scale.
Sources and methodology
Technical claims were checked against the sources below on August 18, 2026. Product limits and third-party pricing can change; verify the live documentation before designing a production workflow.
Common questions
Can Google My Maps import a Google Sheet directly?
Yes. Google My Maps accepts Google Sheets along with CSV, TSV, KML, KMZ, GPX and XLSX files.
How many spreadsheet rows can My Maps import?
Google’s current My Maps help says not to import files with more than 2,000 rows. Split larger datasets into appropriate layers or use a different mapping platform.
Should My Maps use addresses or coordinates?
Both are supported, but reviewed coordinate columns make the geocoding result explicit and reusable. They also let you resolve bad rows before the map import.
Does My Maps stay synchronized with every Sheet edit?
Not as a live two-way database. My Maps supports reimporting and replacing or merging layer data from a Sheet, but updates require a deliberate reimport workflow.