Uploading & Troubleshooting KMLs

Transect users can upload KML files to define project boundaries for instant environmental insights. In this article, we’ll review how to:

• Upload a KML file to Transect
• Troubleshoot KML Upload Issues

Uploading a KML File to Transect

You can upload a KML file both from the Dashboard and the Map. 

To upload a KML from the Dashboard:

• From the Dashboard, select Order Report.
• Choose the Upload  icon, select your KML file, and then click Next.
• On the next page, you'll have the option to provide the following information:
  • Assign Tags: Assign a specific Tag to your projects to quickly categorize them.
  • Report Buffer (for pin projects only):  Select a range (10ft-5280ft) around your dropped pin to create your project area.
  • Project Name: Click the pencil next to the Project to rename it.
    
• Select Next, then add your project details to the relevant fields on the next page. For help choosing a Project Type and Sub-Type, check out this article for more information.
  • If "I don't know" is selected as an option, Transect will provide a more conservative estimate for your project.
• When finished, select Order Report.

To upload a KML in the Map:

• Select Map from the top navigation bar. 
• In the ‘Start a New Project’ window, select Upload KML.
• Browse your files and choose the saved KML file.
• The KML shape will appear on the Map, where you’ll select Save Project, then add a name.
• Next, select Save to save the boundary as a project or Save & Order Report to answer the context questions and start the report ordering process.

Important Notes about KML Files

• Ensure that your KML only contains one geometry type (all lines or all polygons) and is saved in a single folder.

• Subfolders and geospatial artifacts outside the project boundary are not supported.

Troubleshooting KML Upload Issues

Formatting Errors

If your KML contains multiple geometry types or data outside the project boundary, you may run into issues uploading the file. To resolve this, make sure your KML contains only one geometry type — either point, line, or polygon.

When importing KMLs from external platforms, we recommend reviewing the folder structure before uploading:

• Isolate your data: Only include the specific parcel boundaries or lines relevant to your project.
• Clean your folders: Remove any unnecessary layers, annotations, or metadata folders not relevant to the project geometry.
• Download parcel boundaries only: If exporting from another provider, export just the parcel boundaries folder. We recommend opening the KML in Google Earth, expanding sub-folders until you locate the Parcel Boundary folder, then right-clicking it and selecting Save Place As to resave a clean KML containing only the boundary before uploading to Transect.
  

Line Drawn Instead of Polygon

If your project boundary was drawn using a line tool rather than a polygon tool, Transect will calculate and upload your project in miles or crossings instead of acres — which won't accurately reflect your project's true footprint.

To resolve this, we recommend using an online line-to-polygon converter to close the geometry into a proper polygon before uploading. This ensures your project area is calculated correctly and avoids the need to redraw the boundary later.

Intersecting Lines

If your KML contains too many intersecting lines, you may encounter upload issues. Untangle the lines in Google Earth or another GIS platform before re-uploading.

Buffer Issue

If the lines within a polygon aren't fully connected, this can cause the project boundary and buffer to duplicate. To fix this, review the polygon to confirm all lines are connected, or redraw the boundary using the polygon tool in Transect or Google Earth.

Linear Projects

If you receive an error stating that the midpoint of your project area is more than 50 miles away, the uploaded line may not be single and continuous. See the troubleshooting section in this article for further support.