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How to load KML or KMZ files to an interactive map question
How to load KML or KMZ files to an interactive map question

Uploading GIS shapefiles (.KML/.KMZ) to set a boundary on an interactive map question

Tyree Dickerson avatar
Written by Tyree Dickerson
Updated over a week ago

First, export your shapefile to a .KML or .KMZ file from your chosen GIS software. (These files cannot be created in PublicInput.)

KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language. KML files are file formats used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth. You will need to use a shapefile to add a map boundary to this question type. This can be done in software such as Google Earth or ArcGIS.

Please note that there are several constraints on KML files used on our system in addition to file size. There can be issues if there are too many objects on the map for Google Maps to handle.

  • Maximum fetched file size (raw KML, raw GeoRSS, or compressed KMZ): 3MB

  • Maximum uncompressed KML file size: 10MB

  • Maximum number of network Links: 10

  • Maximum number of total document-wide features: 1,000

  • Map Boundary should be a closed-shape


Once you're ready to upload your .KML/Z file, Head to the Project Questions and Dynamic Content area of the project page, and click the green "+ Add Question" button:

From this list of question types, select "Interactive Map Response (Pin/Line)."

In the pop-up field, enter a prompt or question.

From the question creation box, add your KML or KMZ file.

Your shapefile will appear as a layer on top of the map on your live site.

To learn more about how you can use this map question type, and how to create custom map pins, check out our article here!


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