How to Customize the KML Export with Tagging

Use specific tags to customize the data that is included with geolocated photos and points in the KML export.

The KML export is a great way to compile all the geolocated points and photos collected on mobile devices in the field. Then, you can create a map customized with the exact data you would like to see in Google Earth, or any mapping program that is compatible with the KML file type. This is a great way to show customers/stakeholders project progress, visually track and manage project progress, track non-compliance or issues related to a particular location, and visually QA/QC data.

There are a series of specific tags to use on the survey form questions which will add the selected data to either the Label or the Data Box for all geolocated points.

Tags for Point Labels:

kml-label-photo - Use this tag to label photo points. Only one survey form question may be given this tag and the answer to that question will display on each photo point.

kml-label-point - Use this tag to label dropped points. Only one survey form question may be given this tag and the answer to that question will display on each point.

Tags for Data Inclusion in Pop-up Data Box:

kml-data-photo - Use this tag to add question and answer combos to the pop-up data box in Google Earth or any mapping program when you click the photo icon.

kml-data-point -Use this tag to add question and answer combos to the pop-up data box in Google Earth or any mapping program when you click a pin.

The following video shows you how to add the tags to your survey form questions.

The tagging can happen before or after the data is collected, and you can change the tags based on what type of report you would like to produce! Once the questions containing the data you would like included in the KML export have been tagged, you are ready to export.

Go to Project Data>Export>KML. Similar to the other exports, you can set the parameters for the data included by survey ID, form type, date, and location. You can also choose to include, points, photos, project locations or any combination of the three. Then, choose export and download the file.

The following video shows how to export a KML file.

Once the data is exported, open it in a mapping program like Google Earth. Any question with a label  tag will show up on the map. Any question with a  data tag will be included in the pop-up data block. 

The following video shows sample data displayed on Google Earth.

The Google Earth images and files can be used to visually track your project progress and QA/QC your data. You can move the tags between questions to customize the export to the needs of the person viewing it. 

For more information about the Wildnote features used above, check out the following articles:

Bulk Edit Survey Form Question

Videos: Exporting for Reports and Analysis