Introduction
This free Google Maps™ tutorial has been produced by White Rock Solutions as part of a series of complete and comprehensive step by step guides to using Google Maps™ to add a searchable interactive Google™ location map to your web site.
Overview : Add Placemarks (Markers), Lines and Shapes to your Custom Google Maps™
After signing in to Google™ with your Google™ account you can personalize your custom Google Maps™ by adding placemarks (markers), lines and shapes.
Part 1 – Pre-Requisites for Using My Maps
Part 2 – Add a Placemark (Marker) to your Custom Google™ Map
Part 3 – Edit / Delete a Placemark (Marker) on your Custom Google™ Map
Part 4 – Add a Line to your Custom Google™ Map
Part 5 – Edit / Delete a Line on your Custom Google™ Map
Part 6 – Add a Shape to your Custom Google™ Map
Part 7 – Edit / Delete a Shape on your Custom Google™ Map
Part 8 – Re-order the list of Placemarks, Lines and Shapes on your Custom Google™ Map
Part 9 – Reference : Rich Text Toolbar
Pre-Requisites for Using My Maps.
1.1 – Google™ Account
To use the My Maps feature of Google Maps™ you will need an existing Google™ account. Alternatively, you can create a new Google™ account.
1.2 - Sign in to Google Maps™ with your Google™ Account
(a) Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser.
(b) Click the Sign in link in the top right hand corner of the page to sign in to Google™ with your Google™ account.
(c) Enter your Google™ account Email and Password details and click the 
button.
Add a Placemark (Marker) to your Custom Google™ Map
If not already signed in, sign in to Google™ with your Google™ Account. Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser and select the My Maps <tab>.
(a) In the “Created by me” list of maps, ensure the Map you would like to edit is selected (
). If not, click using your left mouse button the check box () to the left of the Map title in the list to select the Map.
(b) Click the 
button to activate edit mode and display the Map and any existing Placemark, Line or Shape properties.
(c) Navigate to the location on the map where the Placemark should be located.
The map Navigation and Zoom Control (GLargeMapControl) is overlayed on the top left hand corner of the map. Use the directional arrows to pan (move) the map up, down, left or right. The “+” button can be clicked to zoom in on the map and the “-“button can be clicked to zoom out on the map. The map can be reset by clicking the center navigational button. Alternatively, use the zoom slider to zoom in or zoom out more than one level at a time.
Notes
- An alternative way to pan (move) the map is to place your mouse cursor over the map until the mouse cursor changes to a hand. Click and hold the left mouse button until the mouse cursor changes from a hand to a fist and “drag” the map up, down, left or right.
- An alternative way to zoom in on the map is to “double click” on the map using the left mouse button.
- An alternative way to zoom out on the map is to “double click” on the map using the right mouse button.
(d) If necessary, use the Map Type Control overlayed on the top right hand corner of the map to change the map view from Map (Street) to Satellite to pinpoint the location on the map where the Placemark should be located.
(e) Click with the left mouse button the 
button on the map editor toolbar. A new Placemark will be overlayed on the map. Move your mouse cursor to the location on the map where the Placemark should be located and click with the left mouse button to anchor the Placemark on the map.
If you click the button in error press the “Esc” key on your keyboard immediately to remove the placemark overlayed on the map.
(f) After the Placemark has been positioned on the map. It appears in a list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes below the map properties to the left of the map.
(g) After the Placemark has been positioned on the map, the Placemark Info Window automatically opens to allow the Placemark properties to be edited.
- Enter a Title for the Placemark
EG: Story Bridge Adventure Climb
- Enter a Description for the Placemark
EG: The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a soft adventure experience with a difference and the most spectacular way to discover Brisbane. You'll be exhilarated by the breath-taking panorama of Brisbane and its surrounds. You will hear interesting and factual commentary by experienced climb leaders, including history and heritage information of both the city and the bridge.
Notes
- The Placemark description can be entered as Plain text, Rich text or alternatively you can edit the HTML code directly. By default, Plain text is selected; click the respective link to switch to Rich text or Edit HTML*.
* Google™ may automatically “strip out” any HTML it considers unsafe or malicious.
- The Rich Text toolbar provides some basic text formatting options. A detailed expalanation of each toolbar button is available in Part 9 of this tutorial – Reference : Rich Text Toolbar.
- As you type the Title and Description of the Placemark, the title and description of the Placemark in the list below the map properties to the left of the map is dynamically updated.
- Change Placemark Icon image
Click the image of the default Placemark Icon to the right of the Placemark title. To change the Icon image click the image of the new Icon. Alternatively, click the “<< Back” link to return to the Placemark Info Window without making any changes.
Note
In addition to the default icons you can click the “Add an icon” link to specify the URL address for an alternative Icon image. These Icons will then be available to use with other Placemarks by clicking the “My icons” link.
(h) Once you have finished editing the Placemark properties click the 
button to save your changes to the Placemark or alternatively click the 
button to exit without saving any changes.
(i) Click the 
button to save your map. Alternatively, click the 
button to save changes to your map and exit edit mode.
Edit / Delete a Placemark (Marker) on your Custom Google™ Map
If not already signed in, sign in to Google™ with your Google™ Account. Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser and select the My Maps <tab>.
(a) In the “Created by me” list of maps, ensure the Map you would like to edit is selected (). If not, click using your left mouse button the check box () to the left of the Map title in the list to select the Map.
(b) Click the button to activate edit mode and display the Map and any existing Placemark, Line or Shape properties.
(c) Click the Placemark to be edited in the list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes below the map properties to the left of the map.
(d) To re-position the Placemark click the 
button on the map editor toolbar. Move the mouse cursor over the Placemark icon until the cursor changes from a “hand” to a “pointed finger”. Click and hold down the left mouse button and drag the Placemark Icon to its new location. Release the left mouse button to drop the Placemark to anchor it to its new location.
(e) To edit the Placemark title, description or icon image follow the instructions for adding a new Placemark (Refer Part 2 of this tutorial – Add a Placemark (Marker) to your Custom Google™ Map).
(f) To delete a Placemark click the “Delete” link in the lower left corner of the Placemark Info Window. Alternatively, click the Placemark with the right mouse button and select “Delete” from the context menu to delete the Placemark. Google™ will prompt you to confirm your request to delete the Placemark.
(g) Once you have finished editing the Placemark properties click the button to save your changes to the Placemark or alternatively click the button to exit without saving any changes.
(h) Click the button to save your map. Alternatively, click the button to save changes to your map and exit edit mode.
Add a Line to your Custom Google™ Map
If not already signed in, sign in to Google™ with your Google™ Account. Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser and select the My Maps <tab>.
(a) In the “Created by me” list of maps, ensure the Map you would like to edit is selected (). If not, click using your left mouse button the check box () to the left of the Map title in the list to select the Map.
(b) Click the button to activate edit mode and display the Map and any existing Placemark, Line or Shape properties.
(c) Navigate to the location on the map where the Line should START.
The map Navigation and Zoom Control (GLargeMapControl) is overlayed on the top left hand corner of the map. Use the directional arrows to pan (move) the map up, down, left or right. The “+” button can be clicked to zoom in on the map and the “-“button can be clicked to zoom out on the map. The map can be reset by clicking the center navigational button. Alternatively, use the zoom slider to zoom in or zoom out more than one level at a time.
Notes
- An alternative way to pan (move) the map is to place your mouse cursor over the map until the mouse cursor changes to a hand. Click and hold the left mouse button until the mouse cursor changes from a hand to a fist and “drag” the map up, down, left or right.
- An alternative way to zoom in on the map is to “double click” on the map using the left mouse button.
- An alternative way to zoom out on the map is to “double click” on the map using the right mouse button.
(d) If necessary, use the Map Type Control overlayed on the top right hand corner of the map to change the map view from Map (Street) to Satellite to pinpoint the location on the map where the Line should START.
(e) Click with the left mouse button the 
button on the map editor toolbar. A crosshair 
is overlayed on the map. Move your mouse to the location on the map where the Line should START and click with the left mouse button to anchor the START of the Line on the map.
If you click the button in error press the “Esc” key on your keyboard immediately to remove the crosshair overlayed on the map.
(f) Each Line can have multiple anchor points. Move your mouse to the location on the map of the next anchor point and click with the left mouse button to add another anchor point for the Line on the map. Continue to click and add as many anchor points as required. To complete the Line double click the left mouse button to add an END anchor point.
(g) After double clicking the left mouse button to add an END anchor point and complete the Line, the Line appears in a list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes below the map properties to the left of the map.
(h) In addition, the Line Info Window automatically opens to allow the Line properties to be edited.
- Enter a Title for the Line
EG: Walking Route from Queen St. Bus Station
- Enter a Description for the Line
EG: If you arrive in the city center by bus and are walking to Story Bridge Adventure Climb follow this route from Queen St. Bus Station to the attraction.
Notes
- The Line description can be entered as Plain text, Rich text or alternatively you can edit the HTML code directly. By default, Plain text is selected; click the respective link to switch to Rich text or Edit HTML*.
* Google™ may automatically “strip out” any HTML it considers unsafe or malicious.
- The Rich Text toolbar provides some basic text formatting options. A detailed expalanation of each toolbar button is available in Part 9 of this tutorial – Reference : Rich Text Toolbar.
- As you type the Title and Description of the Line the title and description of the Line in the list below the map properties to the left of the map is dynamically updated.
Click the image of the default Line Style 
to the right of the Line title.
- Click the existing Line color and select one of 70 colors / shades
- Enter a Line width between 1 and 20 (pixels)
- Enter the Line opacity between 0 (transparent) and 100 (solid)
Alternatively, click the “<< Back” link to return to the Line Info Window without changing the existing Line Style.
(i) Once you have finished editing the Line properties click the button to save your changes to the Line or alternatively click the button to exit without saving any changes.
(j) Click the button to save your map. Alternatively, click the button to save changes to your map and exit edit mode.
Edit / Delete a Line on your Custom Google™ Map
If not already signed in, sign in to Google™ with your Google™ Account. Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser and select the My Maps <tab>.
(a) In the “Created by me” list of maps, ensure the Map you would like to edit is selected (). If not, click using your left mouse button the check box () to the left of the Map title in the list to select the Map.
(b) Click the button to activate edit mode and display the Map and any existing Placemark, Line or Shape properties.
(c) Click the Line to be edited in the list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes below the map properties to the left of the map.
(d) To re-position the Line click the button on the map editor toolbar. Move the mouse cursor over the Line until the cursor changes from a “hand” to a “pointed finger”. The Line anchor points (
) will then be displayed along the Line. Click and hold down the left mouse button and drag an existing Line anchor point to its new location. Release the left mouse button to drop the Line anchor point to anchor it to its new location.
Repeat the process with other Line anchor points until the Line follows the path required.
Notes
- To delete an existing anchor point, click with the right mouse button (right click) an existing anchor point ( Solid White Fill) and select “Delete this point” from the context menu.
- To add an additional anchor point, click with the right mouse button (right click) an existing anchor point ( semi-transparent) or anywhere along the line and select “Add a point” from the context menu.
(e) To edit the Line title, description or Line style follow the instructions for adding a new Line (Refer Part 4 of this tutorial – Add a Line to your Custom Google™ Map).
(f) To delete a Line click the “Delete” link in the lower left corner of the Line Info Window. Alternatively, click anywhere along the Line with the right mouse button and select “Delete” from the context menu to delete the Line.
Google™ will prompt you to confirm your request to delete the Line.
(g) Once you have finished editing the Line properties click the button to save your changes to the Line or alternatively click the button to exit without saving any changes.
(h) Click the button to save your map. Alternatively, click the button to save changes to your map and exit edit mode.
Add a Shape to your Custom Google™ Map
If not already signed in, sign in to Google™ with your Google™ Account. Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser and select the My Maps <tab>.
(a) In the “Created by me” list of maps, ensure the Map you would like to edit is selected (). If not, click using your left mouse button the check box () to the left of the Map title in the list to select the Map.
(b) Click the button to activate edit mode and display the Map and any existing Placemark, Line or Shape properties.
(c) Navigate to the location on the map where the Shape should START.
The map Navigation and Zoom Control (GLargeMapControl) is overlayed on the top left hand corner of the map. Use the directional arrows to pan (move) the map up, down, left or right. The “+” button can be clicked to zoom in on the map and the “-“button can be clicked to zoom out on the map. The map can be reset by clicking the center navigational button. Alternatively, use the zoom slider to zoom in or zoom out more than one level at a time.
Notes
- An alternative way to pan (move) the map is to place your mouse cursor over the map until the mouse cursor changes to a hand. Click and hold the left mouse button until the mouse cursor changes from a hand to a fist and “drag” the map up, down, left or right.
- An alternative way to zoom in on the map is to “double click” on the map using the left mouse button.
- An alternative way to zoom out on the map is to “double click” on the map using the right mouse button.
(d) If necessary, use the Map Type Control overlayed on the top right hand corner of the map to change the map view from Map (Street) to Satellite to pinpoint the location on the map where the Shape should START.
(e) Click with the left mouse button the 
button on the map editor toolbar. A crosshair 
is overlayed on the map. Move your mouse to the location on the map where the Shape should START and click with the left mouse button to anchor the START of the Shape on the map.
If you click the button in error press the “Esc” key on your keyboard immediately to remove the crosshair overlayed on the map.
(f) Each Shape can have multiple anchor points but requires a minimum of three (3). Move your mouse to the location on the map of the next anchor point and click with the left mouse button to add another anchor point for the Shape on the map. Continue to click and add as many anchor points as required. To complete the Shape double click the left mouse button to add an END anchor point.
(g) After double clicking the left mouse button to add an END anchor point and complete the Shape, the Shape appears in a list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes below the map properties to the left of the map.
(h) In addition, the Shape Info Window automatically opens to allow the Shape properties to be edited.
- Enter a Title for the Shape
EG: Brisbane City Centre
- Enter a Description for the Shape
EG: Brisbane’s main shopping and restaurant area. Includes Queen St. pedestrian precinct.
Notes
- The Shape description can be entered as Plain text, Rich text or alternatively you can edit the HTML code directly. By default, Plain text is selected; click the respective link to switch to Rich text or Edit HTML*.
* Google™ may automatically “strip out” any HTML it considers unsafe or malicious.
- The Rich Text toolbar provides some basic text formatting options. A detailed expalanation of each toolbar button is available in Part 9 of this tutorial – Reference : Rich Text Toolbar.
- As you type the Title and Description of the Shape the title and description of the Shape in the list below the map properties to the left of the map is dynamically updated.
Click the image of the default Shape Style 
to the right of the Shape title.
- Click the existing Line color and select one of 70 colors / shades
- Enter a Line width between 1 and 20 (pixels)
- Enter the Line opacity between 0 (transparent) and 100 (solid)
- Click the existing Fill color and select one of 70 colors / shades
- Enter the Fill opacity between 0 (transparent) and 100 (solid)
Alternatively, click the “<< Back” link to return to the line Info Window without changing the existing Shape Style.
(i) Once you have finished editing the Shape properties click the button to save your changes to the Shape or alternatively click the button to exit without saving any changes.
(j) Click the button to save your map. Alternatively, click the button to save changes to your map and exit edit mode.
Edit / Delete a Shape on your Custom Google™ Map
If not already signed in, sign in to Google™ with your Google™ Account. Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser and select the My Maps <tab>.
(a) In the “Created by me” list of maps, ensure the Map you would like to edit is selected (). If not, click using your left mouse button the check box () to the left of the Map title in the list to select the Map.
(b) Click the button to activate edit mode and display the Map and any existing Placemark, Line or Shape properties.
(c) Click the Shape to be edited in the list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes below the map properties to the left of the map.
(d) To re-position the Shape click the button on the map editor toolbar. Move the mouse cursor over the Shape until the cursor changes from a “hand” to a “pointed finger”. The Shape anchor points () will then be displayed along the perimeter of the Shape. Click and hold down the left mouse button and drag an existing Shape anchor point to its new location. Release the left mouse button to drop the Shape anchor point to anchor it to its new location.
Repeat the process with other Shape anchor points until the required Shape is achieved.
Notes
- To delete an existing anchor point, click with the right mouse button (right click) an existing anchor point ( Solid White Fill) and select “Delete this point” from the context menu.
- To add an additional anchor point, click with the right mouse button (right click) an existing anchor point ( semi-transparent) or anywhere along the perimeter of the Shape and select “Add a point” from the context menu.
(e) To edit the Shape title, description and Shape style follow the instructions for adding a new Shape (Refer Part 6 of this tutorial – Add a Shape to your Custom Google™ Map).
(f) To delete a Shape click the “Delete” link in the lower left corner of the Shape Info Window. Alternatively, click anywhere along the perimeter of the shape with the right mouse button and select “Delete” from the context menu to delete the Shape.
Google™ will prompt you to confirm your request to delete the Shape.
(g) Once you have finished editing the Shape properties click the button to save your changes to the Shape or alternatively click the button to exit without saving any changes.
(h) Click the button to save your map. Alternatively, click the button to save changes to your map and exit edit mode.
Re-order the list of Placemarks, Lines and Shapes on your Custom Google™ Map
When you add a Placemark (Marker), Line or Shape to a custom Google™ Map it is added to the bottom of the list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes below the map properties to the left of the map. However, you can re-order the list.
If not already signed in, sign in to Google™ with your Google™ Account. Open the Google Maps™ website in your web browser and select the My Maps <tab>.
(a) In the “Created by me” list of maps, ensure the Map you would like to edit is selected (). If not, click using your left mouse button the check box () to the left of the Map title in the list to select the Map.
(b) Click the button to activate edit mode and display the Map and any existing Placemark, Line or Shape properties.
(c) To move one of the Placemarks, Lines or Shapes up or down in the list: -
- Position the mouse cursor over the item in the list until the mouse cursor changes to a “pointed finger”.
- Click and hold down the left mouse button and drag the item up or down to its new position in the list.
- As you drag the item in the list a “dotted” rectangular outline indicates the items new position in the list. The mouse cursor also changes from a “pointed finger” to a “fist”.
- Release the left mouse button to anchor the item to its new position in the list.
Repeat steps (1) to (4) until the list of Placemarks, Lines & Shapes are in the required order.
(d) Click the button to save your map. Alternatively, click the button to save changes to your map and exit edit mode.
Reference: Rich Text Toolbar
The Rich Text toolbar provides some basic text formatting options: -
