Collaborate on a Custom Google™ Map

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 : Collaborate on a Custom Google™ Map

After signing in to Google™ with your Google™ account  you can personalize your custom Google Maps™ and invite other Google™ users to collaborate  and edit your custom maps.

Part 1 – Pre-Requisites for Using My Maps

Part 2 – Invite Others (Collaborators) to Edit your Custom Google™ Map

Part 3 – Remove Collaborators from your Custom Google™ Map

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.

Invite Others (Collaborators) to Edit 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 “Collaborate” link to open the collaborate options.

(c) To send an email invitation to invite other individuals (collaborators) to edit your Custom Google™ Map enter their email address. To invite more than one person enter multiple email addresses each separated with a “,” (comma).

(d) Google Maps™ automatically generates the first part of the email message that will be sent. This includes the Title of your map and a link to access your map directly. You also have the option to append your own custom message.

(e) If you would to receive a copy of the email invitation that Google Maps™ sends to invite other individuals (collaborators) to edit your Custom Google™ Map, click using your left mouse button the check box () below the message.

(f) As the map owner you can specify: -

• Whether collaborators can also invite other individuals, as collaborators, to edit your Custom Google™ Map. To select this option, click using your left mouse button the “Collaborators may invite others” check box () in the Manage collaborators section.

(g) As the map owner you can also specify: -

• To allow anyone who searches and finds your map on Google Maps™ to edit your Custom Google™ Map. To select this option, click using your left mouse button the “Allow anyone to edit this map” check box () in the Manage collaborators section.

(h) Once you have finished editing the collaborate options click the button to send an email to invite other individuals (Collaborators) to edit your Custom Google™ Map. Whilst the emails are being sent a  notification is displayed in the top right hand corner of the Google Maps™ web page. In addition a confirmation dialogue box is displayed: -

Example Email Invitation: Email Address Associated with a Google™ Account

Example Email Invitation: Email Address NOT Associated with a Google™ Account

The first link in both emails opens the Google Maps™ (http://maps.google.com/ ) web page and displays the map that you have shared.

Important Note

If the collaborator that you have invited to edit or add to your map is NOT signed in to their Google™ account when they click the link. The map will open in Google Maps™ but there will NOT be an option to edit the map, even if the collaborator subsequently signs in to their Google™ account.

Therefore it is important that the collaborator that you have invited to edit or add to your map is signed in to their Google™ account BEFORE they click the link. The map will then be listed in a section called “Created by others” below the “Created by me” list of maps on the My Maps <tab>.

The second link in the email, where the email address specified is not associated with a Google™ account, opens the Google™ Create an Account web page and pre-populates the “Your current email address” field.

Remove Collaborators from 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 “Collaborate” link to open the collaborate options.

(c) In the Collaborators section: -

• Click the “Remove” link next to the individual collaborator you would like to remove. A confirmation dialogue box is displayed. Click OK to remove the individual collaborator.

• Alternatively, click the “remove all” link to remove all collaborators. A confirmation dialogue box is displayed. Click OK to remove all collaborators.