# Setup Guide - InstaMaps

> Get started with InstaMaps Google™ Sheets Add-On in under 5 minutes. Step-by-step guide for installation, mapping, filtering, and route planning.

Source: https://get-instamaps.com/docs/setup

[InstaMaps](/)

[Features](#features)[How It Works](#how-it-works)[Tools](/tools)[Store Locator](/store-locator)[Blog](/blog)[Support](/support)

[ Get Started ](https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/instamaps/103204565785?utm%5Fsource=get-instamaps&utm%5Fmedium=site&utm%5Fcampaign=header)

#  Setup Guide 

 Get started with InstaMaps in under 5 minutes 

## Prerequisites

* A Google™ account (free Gmail account works)
* At least one Google™ Sheet with address data
* Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)

1

## Install InstaMaps Add-On

1. Go to the [Google™ Workspace Marketplace](https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/instamaps/103204565785?utm%5Fsource=get-instamaps&utm%5Fmedium=site&utm%5Fcampaign=setup)
2. Search for "InstaMaps"
3. Click "Install" (no credit card required)
4. Grant InstaMaps permission to access your Google™ Sheets (read-only)
5. You'll see a confirmation message when installation completes

💡 Pro Tip

 InstaMaps only requests access to sheets you explicitly open with the add-on. We never access other sheets in your Drive. 

2

## Prepare Your Address Data

 InstaMaps works with any address format—no formatting required! AI automatically detects: 

* **Full addresses:** "123 Main St, New York, NY 10001"
* **Split columns:** Separate columns for Street, City, State, ZIP
* **Partial addresses:** Just city and state, or even ZIP codes only
* **International:** Addresses from any country

✨ AI Magic

 You don't need to specify which columns contain addresses. InstaMaps AI automatically detects them when you open the map! 

3

## Create Your First Map

1. Open your Google™ Sheet with address data
2. Click **"Extensions"** in the menu bar
3. Select **"InstaMaps → Open Map"**
4. Wait 30 seconds while AI detects your address columns
5. Your map appears with all locations marked!

⚡ Lightning Fast

 InstaMaps maps your entire sheet in under 30 seconds—no CSV exports, no manual column mapping, no waiting. 

4

## Apply Filters

 Once your map loads, filter locations by: 

* **Location:** Zoom to target area, click "Filter by Viewport" to see only visible locations
* **AI-Suggested Filters:** InstaMaps automatically suggests 3-7 relevant columns (industry, status, value)
* **Manual Filters:** Add custom filters for any column in your sheet
* **Filter Types:** Picklist (multi-select), text search, number ranges

5

## Plan Multi-Stop Routes

1. Select multiple locations on the map (click markers while holding Ctrl/Cmd)
2. Click "Plan Route" button in the map controls
3. InstaMaps optimizes the visit order to minimize driving time
4. View driving distances, durations, and turn-by-turn directions
5. Drag markers to manually reorder stops if needed
6. Export the optimized route back to Google™ Sheets

🚗 Route Optimization

 InstaMaps works out the fastest order on real roads, with typical traffic, saving hours of manual planning. 

6

## Export Filtered Lists

1. Apply filters to narrow down to your target locations
2. Click "Export to Sheets" in the map controls
3. Choose export options:
   * **New Tab:** Creates new sheet tab with filtered results (default)
   * **Include Route:** Add optimized route order as a column
   * **Preserve Columns:** All original columns are included
4. Click "Export" and wait for confirmation
5. View your new sheet tab with the filtered list!

## What's Next?

* **Test Different Filters:** Experiment with various filter combinations to find your ideal target list
* **Plan Field Visits:** Use route planning to schedule efficient multi-stop visits
* **Share Results:** Share your Google™ Sheet with team members to collaborate
* **Iterate Quickly:** The entire prospecting loop takes under 5 minutes—try multiple strategies in one session

## Common Issues

### Q: "No address columns detected"

**A:** Ensure at least one column contains recognizable address data (street address, city/state, or ZIP code). Try adding a header row with "Address" as the column name. 

### Q: "Some locations not appearing on map"

**A:** Check that addresses are complete and properly formatted. Incomplete addresses (e.g., just a business name) may not geocode correctly. 

### Q: "Map loads slowly with large sheets"

**A:** For sheets with 1000+ rows, consider using filters to narrow down before mapping, or split into multiple sheets by region. 

## Need Help?

 If you run into any issues during setup: 

* Check the [Help Center](/docs/help) for troubleshooting guides
* Contact [Support](/support) at [werner.adewole@gmail.com](mailto:werner.adewole@gmail.com)
* [Report an issue](https://github.com/your-repo/instamaps/issues/new) on GitHub

[ Back to Home ](/)

InstaMaps

 Territory mapping and routing for Google Sheets™. 

### Product

* [Features](#features)
* [How It Works](#how-it-works)
* [Sheets Formulas](/formulas)
* [100-Stop Route Planner](/tools/multi-stop-route-planner)
* [Dispatch Software](/blog/dispatch-software)
* [Route Optimization](/blog/route-optimization-software)

### Company

* [About](#)
* [Blog](/blog)
* [Free Tools](/tools)
* [Store Locator](/store-locator)
* [Careers](#)
* [Contact](#)

### Resources

* [Setup Guide](/docs/setup)
* [Help Center](/docs/help)
* [Documentation](/docs)
* [Press Map: Closed UK Pubs](/press/closed-pubs)
* [Free Batch Geocoder](/tools/geocoder)
* [HUBZone Checker](/tools/hubzone-checker)
* [Census Tract Lookup](/tools/census-tract-lookup)
* [Opportunity Zone Checker](/tools/opportunity-zone-checker)
* [USDA Eligibility Checker](/tools/usda-eligibility-checker)
* [Flood Zone Checker](/tools/flood-zone-checker)
* [Flood Zones Explained](/flood-zones)
* [Population Within a Radius](/tools/population-within-radius)
* [Conservation Area Checker](/tools/conservation-area-checker)
* [Flood Zone Checker (England)](/tools/uk-flood-zone-checker)
* [UPRN Lookup](/tools/uprn-lookup)
* [Service Area Map](/tools/service-area-map)
* [Multi-Driver Route Planner](/tools/multi-driver-route-planner)
* [Postcode Distance (UK)](/tools/postcode-distance-calculator)
* [ZIP Codes in a Radius](/tools/zip-codes-in-radius)
* [Sales Route Planner](/blog/sales-route-planner-free)
* [Territory Mapping](/blog/free-territory-mapping-software)
* [Report Issue](mailto:hello@get-instamaps.com?subject=Something%20isn%27t%20working)

### Legal & Support

* [Privacy Policy](/privacy)
* [Terms of Service](/terms)
* [Support](/support)
* [Admin Config](/dashboard/settings/admin)

### [InstaMaps by use case](/for)

[Lead distance](/for/lead-distance)[Circle prospecting](/for/circle-prospecting)[Door knocking](/for/door-knocking)[Cleaning schedules](/for/cleaning-business-scheduling)[Field service routes](/for/field-service-routes)[Sales territories](/for/sales-territory-mapping)[Driving for dollars](/for/driving-for-dollars)[Site verification](/for/site-verification)[Store locators](/for/store-locator)[Property listings](/for/real-estate-listings)[Address cleanup](/for/property-data-cleanup)[Delivery routes](/for/delivery-routes)[Field service](/for/field-service-jobs)[Trip planning](/for/travel-itinerary)[School mapping](/for/school-mapping)[field service](/for/home-care)

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