James asks:
How do I convert KML (from Google Earth) to SHP (in ArcMap)?

ExpertGPS Pro can import Google Earth KML and KMZ files, and then export them in shapefile format (.shp) so you can view your data in ArcMap or other GIS software. I've written a step-by-step tutorial on converting KML data to SHP using ExpertGPS Pro.

Arvind asks:
I have whole bunch of files in csv (or excel) similar to the one attached. How can I create KML or SHP files from here. Once imported to EXPERT GPS, can I add/edit attributes?

This is an advanced tutorial, showing several strategies you can use to manipulate just about any data in Excel or your favorite spreadsheet program (I use the free OpenOffice Calc) to get it into a standard format that ExpertGPS can import, map, and convert to KML, SHP, and/or DXF.

ExpertGPS can import CSV and text data directly - just copy and paste into either the Waypoint List or the Track List. However, the data in the file above is in a strange format - each line contains two latitude/longitude coordinate pairs - a starting point and and ending point. Each line is its own two-point line segment, and when plotted all together, they define a complete route.

Whenever I see multiple coordinates on the same line, I stop thinking about the CSV import function in ExpertGPS (which expects a single point per line) and instead start thinking about Google Earth's KML format. Basically, my strategy is to use the formulae in Excel to build up a KML file which I can then paste right into ExpertGPS.

A Bare-Bones KML File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><kml xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2"><Document>
<Placemark><LineString><coordinates>-104.57638956,39.70689113 -104.56884853,39.71147660 -104.56015453,39.70639827 </coordinates></LineString></Placemark>
</Document></kml>

Above is a very basic KML file, just a line with three points. Let's call the first line the KML Header and the third line the KML Footer. The line in the middle is what we want to create in Excel - one of these for each row in the CSV file.

I used the Text to Columns command (on the Data menu in OpenOffice Calc and Excel) to split the coordinates out into four new columns, as seen above. Then I used the CONCATENATE function in Excel to build up a KML LineString Placemark for each row. IMPORTANT: KML puts longitude before latitude!

I added the KML Header to the very first line of the new column, and added the KML Footer at the bottom row.

Now I just select the entire column, copy, and paste into the map in ExpertGPS. It worked - all of the data from Excel matches up perfectly with the color aerial photos underneath. From here, I can export to ESRI SHP, to AutoCAD DXF, or edit the created tracks in ExpertGPS to add attributes prior to saving in GPX or KML format.

Need help converting a GPS, GIS, or CAD file?

The article above should give you some ideas of how you can use ExpertGPS and your spreadsheet software to convert just about any delimited text data to another GIS, CAD, or GPS format. The ExpertGPS Blog contains lots of tutorials on these sorts of conversions (most are MUCH easier than this, once you've downloaded a trial copy of ExpertGPS!). If you still need help, contact me using the Ask the GPS Expert link above - I'm always happy to help.

Dawee M. asks:
I am looking at your programme ExpertGPS. Can the programme convert a kmz file from Google Earth to a shp file to use in GIS?

One convenient use for ExpertGPS Pro is as a converter from Google Earth's KML and compressed KMZ formats into GIS shapefiles, DXF CAD drawings, and other GPS and mapping formats. For this example, I'll convert the New York City subway lines and stations in KMZ format to SHP using ExpertGPS Pro. First I import the KMZ data into ExpertGPS Pro by clicking Import on the File menu, and selecting the KMZ file I downloaded from the Internet. ExpertGPS Pro converts the placemarks for each subway station into GPS waypoints, and converts each subway line into a GPS track.

Before I export the data, I have to decide what coordinate format to use to match my ArcGIS project. ExpertGPS Pro supports lat/lon, UTM, US state plane coordinates, and the national grid formats of Britain, France, and many other countries. New York City is covered by the New York Long Island state plane coordinate system, NAD83 datum, which I've selected in ExpertGPS Pro.

To export the subway stations, I click once in the Waypoint List, and then click Export Waypoints in List on the File menu. When prompted to save the shapefile, I change the File Type in the bottom of the Export dialog to Point Shapefile (.shp). I repeat the process to export the subway lines from the Track List as a Polyline Shapefile.

After you've done this once in ExpertGPS, you'll have the coordinate format already set to match your ArcGIS project, so converting additional KMZ and KML files simply becomes a two-step process. Import the KMZ, and click Export to convert it to a shapefile.

Related Topics How to publish GIS layers to Google Earth KML More file conversions with ExpertGPS Pro