An Excel to KML converter reads the rows of a worksheet and writes each one as a point that Google Earth can display. Drop in an .xlsx or .xls file that has latitude and longitude columns, pick the worksheet if there is more than one, and download a .kml or .kmz file. Everything happens in your browser, so the workbook is never uploaded.
- Free, no signup
- Reads .xlsx and .xls
- Runs in your browser: no upload
- KML and KMZ output
How to convert an Excel file to KML
- Set up your worksheet. Put column headers in the first row and keep latitude and longitude in two separate columns as numbers in decimal degrees, for example
28.6139and77.2090. - Load the workbook. Drop the .xlsx or .xls file onto the box above or click it to browse. If the workbook has several sheets, choose the one that holds your coordinates.
- Confirm the columns. The converter guesses the latitude, longitude and name columns from the header row. Change any of them in the drop-downs if needed.
- Download KML or KMZ. Click Download KML, or Download KMZ for a compressed file. Open the result in Google Earth; the other columns appear as pop-up data on each point.
How to prepare an Excel sheet for KML conversion
Excel stores a lot of formatting that has nothing to do with location, so a little preparation avoids most problems. The tool reads the first row as headers and every row below it as one point.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Latitude and longitude in separate columns | A single "28.61, 77.20" cell cannot be split automatically. Use Excel's Text to Columns first. |
| Cells formatted as numbers, not text | Text that looks like a number is still read when it contains only digits, a minus sign and a decimal point. |
| Decimal degrees, not degrees-minutes-seconds | Convert DMS first with the DMS to decimal degrees converter. |
| No merged cells in the header row | Merged headers shift the column names away from their data. |
| Latitude in -90..90, longitude in -180..180 | Rows outside these ranges are skipped and counted for you. |
Excel to KMZ
Search results often ask for "Excel to KMZ" rather than KML. KMZ is simply a compressed KML, and this page produces both from the same data. Click Download KMZ after the file loads. Google Earth opens KMZ files exactly like KML files.
Common problems and how to fix them
The tool picked the wrong column
Auto-detection looks for headers such as lat, latitude, lon, lng and longitude. If your headers are different, choose the columns from the drop-downs; the summary line updates immediately.
Points appear in the wrong country
Latitude and longitude are probably swapped, or the sign is missing: locations west of Greenwich and south of the equator need negative values. The summary line tells you how many rows were skipped as out of range.
My workbook has several sheets
A worksheet selector appears when the workbook has more than one sheet. Only the selected sheet is converted; run the tool again to convert another.
Formulas
Cells that contain formulas are read using the last value Excel saved. Open and save the file in Excel once if the numbers look stale.
When to use the full KML Studio instead
This page converts one sheet to one set of points. For per-category icons and colors, folders, custom pop-up designs, or Shapefile, GeoJSON and GeoPackage input, use KML Studio. If your data is a plain text file rather than a workbook, the CSV to KML converter reads it directly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert an Excel file to KML?
Drop your .xlsx or .xls file onto this page, confirm the latitude and longitude columns the tool detected, and click Download KML. If the workbook has several sheets, pick the one you want first.
Can I convert Excel to KMZ?
Yes. After the file loads, click Download KMZ. KMZ is a compressed KML and works the same way in Google Earth.
Is my Excel file uploaded anywhere?
No. The workbook is read and converted inside your browser. It is never sent to our servers.
Which Excel formats are supported?
Modern .xlsx workbooks and older .xls workbooks, plus .ods and .csv files. The first row of the chosen sheet must contain column headers.
What if my coordinates are in degrees, minutes and seconds?
Convert them to decimal degrees first. The DMS to decimal degrees converter on this site accepts a pasted list of coordinates and gives you a CSV you can paste back into your sheet.
Do I need to install Excel or any software?
No. The converter works in a normal web browser. You only need the workbook file.
What happens to the other columns in my sheet?
Every column except latitude and longitude is added to each point as data and shown in the pop-up in Google Earth. Untick the option if you want plain points.
How do I open the KML in Google Earth or Google My Maps?
In Google Earth on the web choose Projects, then Import KML file. In Google Earth Pro use File, then Open. Google My Maps accepts KML through Import.
Related tools and guides
Need a large workbook converted, a custom map product, or GIS automation? Sagarmekhla GIS Consultancy can help.
Request a consultationLast updated 2026-10-08. Published by Sagarmekhla GIS Consultancy.