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Google Maps
Import and sync data in Airtable

Connect Airtable and Google Maps

Look up distance, time, lat/long and business info using a simple no-code API integration. Sync data from Google Maps and thousands of other apps into Airtable automatically with Data Fetcher.

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The no-code solution for connecting Google Maps to Airtable

It takes just 4 simple steps to get up and running with Data Fetcher’s no-code imports into Airtable

Step 1

Add the Data Fetcher extension

Get started with Google Maps in Airtable by adding the Data Fetcher extension from the Airtable Marketplace. Create your free account directly within the extension after installation.

Add the Data Fetcher extension
Step 2

Connect to Google Maps

Select the pre-built Google Maps integration from our library. Data Fetcher handles all the technical API details, so you can connect without writing a single line of code.

Connect to Google Maps
Step 3

Map the fields

Select which Google Maps data fields you want to import and map them to your existing Airtable fields. Choose how new data should merge with existing records in your base.

Map the fields
Step 4

Automate your Google Maps data sync

Keep your Airtable data fresh by scheduling automatic updates at any interval. You can also trigger syncs from Google Maps when records change in your Airtable base.

Automate your Google Maps data sync

About the tools

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Google Maps

Google Maps is a leading digital mapping service providing detailed geographic information and navigation tools for locations worldwide. The Google Maps API enables developers to access powerful location features including distance calculations, travel time estimates, geocoding for address-to-coordinate conversion, and reverse geocoding. Developers can retrieve comprehensive business information such as operating hours, reviews, and contact details for millions of places.

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Airtable

Airtable blends spreadsheets and databases, enabling organized, collaborative workflows. It features customizable templates, multiple viewing options like grid, calendar, and kanban boards, plus powerful data types. With integration capabilities, automation tools, and team collaboration features, Airtable helps businesses of all sizes manage projects, content planning, and data without technical expertise.

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Data Fetcher

Data Fetcher is an Airtable extension that connects your bases with external data sources and APIs. Users can pull data from REST APIs and external systems without writing code. With support for automic syncs, data transformation and mapping, Data Fetcher helps businesses make Airtable their source of truth for all their third-party data. It acts as the missing connection between Google Maps and Airtable.

Airtable Google Maps Integration Example

In this guide, we'll calculate the distance & time between pairs of locations using the Google Maps Distance Matrix API and the Data Fetcher Airtable extension. This tutorial is 100% no-code. We'll create a Google Maps API key and use it to calculate distance & time. Finally, we'll see how to schedule this to run automatically.

Create Output Table

  • Create a table in your base called 'Orders'.
  • Add a field called 'Origin' with type 'Single line text'.
  • Add a field called 'Destination' with type 'Single line text'.
  • Add a field called 'Distance with type 'Single line text'. This will be a text representation of the distance, but we will also import a numerical distance in metres.
  • Add the pairs of origins/locations in the 'Origin' and 'Destination' fields.
Screenshot 2021-07-30 at 12.07.54.png
  • Create a Grid view in the 'Orders' table called 'To process' with the following filters:
    • The 'Origin' field is not empty.
    • The 'Destination' field is not empty.
    • The 'Distance' field is empty.
Screenshot 2021-07-30 at 12.51.28.png

Get a Google Maps Distance Matrix API Key

  • Follow these steps to create a project with a billing account and the Distance Matrix API enabled.
  • You should get shown an API key after that step, but if not follow these steps to create an API key for the Google Distance Matrix API.
  • Note that the distance matrix is a paid API from Google. Check out this page to understand the costs involved.

Install Data Fetcher

Install Data Fetcher from the Airtable marketplace. After the extension launches, sign up for a free Data Fetcher account by entering a password and clicking 'Sign up for free'.

Group 1Data Fetcher Sign Up .png

Calculate Distance & Time Between Two Locations in Airtable

On the home screen of the Data Fetcher extension, click 'Create your first request'. Requests in Data Fetcher are how you import data to or send data from your Airtable base.

click-create-your-first-request.png

On the create request screen in Data Fetcher, for Application, select 'Google Maps' to use the Airtable Google Maps integration.

google-maps-application-selected.png

Next, enter your API Key from the previous step.

google-maps-authorization-api-key.png

For Endpoint, select 'Calculate distance and time between start and end locations'.

google-maps-distance-endpoint.png

Enter a Name for your request, e.g. 'Import Distance & Time'. Then click 'Save & Continue'.

google-maps-calculate-distance-save-continue.png

We want to use the values in the 'Origin' field for Origin location. Under Origin location, click the + button to insert a reference to the table.

google-maps-calculate-distance-add-icon.png

A modal will open where we can create the table reference. For Field, select 'Origin'.

google-maps-calculate-distance-field.png

For Run for every record in view, select 'To process'.

google-maps-calculate-distance-to-process.png

Click 'Confirm'.

google-maps-calculate-distance-confirm.png

The Origin location now has a reference to our table.

google-maps-calculate-distance-origin-reference.png

Do the same for Destination location to create a reference to the 'Destination' field.

google-maps-calculate-distance-destination-reference.png

Select the Units for the text representation of the distance. e.g. 'Metric' to get a value expressed in km.

google-maps-calculate-distance-units.png

Optionally set the Transportation mode you want to use. If you do not set this, 'Driving' will be used.

google-maps-calculate-distance-transportation-mode.png

If you selected 'Transit' for Transportation mode, you can set the type of transit (public transport) by opening 'More options for this Google Maps endpoint' and setting the Transit mode.

Click 'Save & Run'.

google-maps-save-run.png

The request will run and the Response field mapping modal will open. This is where you set which fields to import from the Google Distance Matrix API and how they should map to your output table. For each Google Distance Matrix API field, you can either import or filter it. For an imported field, you can set whether to map them to an existing field or create a new field.

Make sure you import 'Distance', 'Distance (metres)', 'Duration' & 'Duration (seconds)'. Then click 'Save & Run'.

Note that 'Distance' & 'Duration' are a text representation of the numerical values. You should use 'Distance (metres) and 'Duration (seconds)' if you need the numerical values.

google-maps-response-field-mapping.png

Data Fetcher will create any fields that need to be created in the output table, then run the request and calculate the distance & time between each pair of locations in the 'Orders' table.

google-maps-calculate-distance-imported-data.png

Calculate Distance & Time Between Two Addresses Automatically

At the moment, you have to calculate the delivery time & distance by manually clicking the 'Run' button. Let's set them to update automatically by using Data Fetcher's scheduled requests feature.

In Data Fetcher, scroll to Schedule and click 'Upgrade'.

table-1-schedule-upgrade-button.png

A new tab will open where you can select a plan and enter your payment details to upgrade.

data fetcher upgrade pricing plans.png

Return to the Data Fetcher extension and click 'I've done this'.

table-1-schedule-ive-done-this-button.png

Under Schedule click '+ Authorize'.

Schedule Data Fetcher

A window will open where you'll be prompted to authorize which Airtable bases you want Data Fetcher to have access to.

It's recommended to choose 'All current and future bases in all current and future workspaces' which means bases will always be authorized for future use.

Click 'Grant access'.

schedule-authorize-bases.jpg

In Data Fetcher, Schedule this request will now be toggled on.

Select how often you want the request to run, e.g. 'Every 15 mins'. Click 'Save' The request will now run on the schedule and calculate the delivery distances and times automatically.

Group 11(2).png

Ready to connect Google Maps to Airtable?

Start syncing your data sources with Airtable today.