Mapmaking Update: ZeeMaps allows Google CSVs

My post last week on simple ways for journalists to make maps seems to have done some good.

Pankaj K Garg, of ZeeMaps left a comment noting that after reading my post, he decided to add a long-desired feature to the application: direct CSV import from Google Docs:

Now, you can select Additions -> Upload CSV file and just click on "Use Google Spreadsheet" to upload your data from a Google Spreadsheet.

The requirements are: (1) the spreadsheet must be named ZeeMap-map-number, where map-number is the number for your map, and (2) you must allow zeemaps at gmail dot com view access to the spreadsheet.

Hope this makes it a bit easier to work with ZeeMaps.

I tried this out with a map I'd been playing around with for work. Here's what it looks like when 188 California cities decide to sue the state over the Legislature's move to raid local funds in an effort to close a budget gap:

Other than specifying a Google Spreadsheet to use, uploading follows the same process. You will have to explicitly share the spreadsheet with Zeemaps. Just allow the app to view your data, not to change it.

I'd still recommend geocoding locations yourself (and when you do so, it's often better to spell out the full name of the state, unless you really mean Windsor, Canada, not Windsor, California).

I'm not sure if updating the spreadsheet updates the map. It doesn't look like it. But this is certainly an improvement.

Thanks Pankaj.

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