How to Create Custom Regions in Excel 3D Maps (With Easy Steps)

Users may characterize items in three dimensions using 3D mapping. It offers the most up-to-date ways for data collection and presentation. Local governments and managers can use a 3D map to get a clear perspective of a place. Custom regions are specified geographical regions stored in either ‘KML’ or ‘SHP’ files in 3D Maps in Excel.  With Microsoft Excel, we can easily design our custom regions 3D maps. In this article, we will demonstrate the process of creating custom regions in Excel 3D Maps.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Custom Regions in Excel 3D Maps

The act of collecting information from a sensor environment using x, y, and z coordinates. And turning it into a digital representation is known as 3D data acquisition. Excel has a feature that helps display data over an area, which is quite helpful. We can integrate our unique areas into 3D Maps in Excel. Custom regions are specified geographical regions stored as either ‘KML’ or ‘SHP’ files in 3D Maps in Excel. These kinds of files are frequently produced by third-party mapping programs, such as Google Maps.

Step 1: Log on to Google My Maps

By using the Google Maps network and the My Maps application, we may add details to places and make our maps. To create our custom regions and get the KML file of our map we need Google My Maps.

• Firstly, go to the link on the Google My Maps website.
• Secondly, click on Create a New Map to create the customized territories.

Step 2: Create a Layer for the Map

Our personalized map can have as many layers as we like. This allows us to distinguish between its many elements.

• Click on the Search box. In our case, we searched for New York City.
• Further, once we find New York, we select that city.

• Clicking on a specific city will take us to that place on the map. As you can see a green indicator on the New York City of the Google map.

• Then, we need to remove the green indicator. Hence, click on the plus (+) sign shown in the screenshot below. This is just for simplicity.

• Therefore, we can see the green indicator has been removed and the blue location icon appears.

Step 3: Create Custom Territories

Now, we have to give directions on our map. For this, we need to draw lines to create polygons on the regions. By adding lines and shapes to our map, we may emphasize certain areas or follow a trail. This is the wonderful feature of being able to draw shapes and lines directly on Google Maps to organize paths and designate particular spots.

• To begin with, under the Search bar, you will find so many menus.
• Click on Draw a line shown in the picture below.

• This will display a drop-down window menu. Select Add line or shape.

• A polygon with a gray hue will result. By dropping an angular position and tracing the area with the cursor until the lines meet.
• Once the dots are connected, give the gray area a title. We give New York the title.
• For more consistency, give it your best shot and zoom in.
• Then, click on the Save button to keep the name of the location.

• Furthermore, follow the earlier step to continue creating and titling all the customized regions.

Step 4: Share the Created Map

Fundamentally, by leveraging location sharing with Google Map, we will be able to rapidly and easily spread the information.

• Firstly, click on the Share option.

• A pop-up window will appear. Now, we need to add names and descriptions before sharing.
• Writer down the Map title. In this case, we name the map City Map.
• Next, click OK.

• Then, switch on the option for Anyone with this link to view and Let others search for and find this map on the internet.
• Lastly, click on the Close button to complete the procedures.

Read More: How to Enable 3D Maps in Excel

Step 5: Export KML File for Custom Regions 3D Maps

Finally, we will now be able to export the KML file for our custom regions in Excel 3D maps.

• Click on the three dots on the right side of the Untitled map.
• Next, select Export to KML/KMZ from the vertical menu by clicking on it.

• The download window will appear. Make sure you check the Export as KML instead of KMZ. Does not support all icons. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use this file on your custom regions 3D maps in Excel.
• Finally, click on the Download button.

• You can see your computer window. Go to the correct folder, where you want to save the file.
• If you look carefully, you can see the Save as type is KML.
• Click on the Save button.

Step 6: Open 3D Maps

A three-dimensional (3D) data representation called Microsoft 3D Maps for Excel enables one to see information in novel ways. With the use of 3D maps, we may find insights that conventional two-dimensional (2D) tables and graphs would not show. Excel has this amazing feature.

• In the first place, to create custom regions in Excel 3D maps, go to your Excel workbook. And open a blank sheet.
• After that, go to the Insert tab from the ribbon.
• Next, under the Tour category, click on the 3D Maps drop-down menu and select Open 3D Maps.

• For instance, you will see a dialog box named Launch 3D Maps.
• Click on the New Tour shown in the screenshot.

• This will display the workbook 3D Maps window.

Read More: How to Change Data Source of Excel 3D Maps

Step 7: Create Custom Regions

To create the custom regions in Excel 3D maps, we have to follow the instructions shown in the lower section of the article. Let’s see the procedures for this.

• Firstly, go to the Home tab from the ribbon on the 3D Maps window.
• Secondly, click on the Custom Regions menu from the Map group.

• This will appear in the Manage Custom Region Set dialog box.
• Further, click on the Import New Set button.

• You can see your computer window. Go to the correct folder, where the data of the spreadsheet is saved.
• Select the KML file, which we just created using Google My Maps.
• Click on the Open button.
• Instead of clicking on the Open button, you can select the file and double-click on the file to import it to create the map.

• And, then, the Import Custom Region Set window will pop up.
• Click on Import.

• Furthermore, return to Custom Regions when the file has been downloaded, and choose the Region Set which is the City Map in this case.
• And then click on Regions.

• Now, the City Map window will appear.
• Click on Copy All Items.

Step 8: Prepare Excel Workbook for 3D Maps

Now, we have to prepare our Excel workbook.

• Paste the copied data, which you have just copied from the City Map.
• We give a title and headings, before pasting the data. We also add the population column as this is in our requirements. You can prepare your worksheet data as you need.
• Then, we highlight our whole data by selecting the data.

Step 9: Generate 3D with Customized Data

Finally, we will generate our 3D data.

• Similarly, as before, go to the Insert tab from the ribbon.
• Then, under the Tour group, click on the 3D Maps drop-down menu.
• After that, click on Add Selected Data to 3D Maps. Make sure the data is selected.

• This will again take you to the 3D Maps window.
• Next, from the right side of the window, we put the Population in the height section of the map.
• For this, just drag the Population (M) from the Field List, Range1.
• Likewise the height, we drag City Name as the category of our map.
• Further, in the Location option, select Custom Region (.kml, .shp).
• And, that’s all!

Final Output

Finally, you will be able to see the custom regions in Excel 3D maps. You may change the color and opacity of the settings as necessary.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the workbook and practice with them.

Conclusion

The above procedures will assist you to Create Custom Regions in Excel 3D Maps. Hope this will help you! Please let us know in the comment section if you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback.

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