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--- common:googlemaps:googlekey [06/06/2013 10:17]
Ian Davidson created
+++ common:googlemaps:googlekey [20/08/2018 04:22] (current)
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{indexmenu_n>10}}
 ====== Getting Your Google Maps API Key ======
+In order to use the Google Maps functionality within the program you need to obtain a //Google Maps API Key//. That's a fancy name for a unique, long string of jumbled-looking text characters that allows Google to identify the user that is requesting a map. According to the Google documentation:\\ \\
+//"Using an API key enables you to monitor your application's Maps API usage, and ensures that Google can contact you about your application if necessary."//\\ \\
+For example, if you exceed the daily usage limit Google would know whom to contact.
+You only need one API Key for your business, not for each user. Getting your key is free and quite easy.
+  - To obtain the key you must first have a Google account. This is also free, and merely records details such as your name and email address. If you have a GMail email address you already have a Google account, but if not, or you'd like to create a new account specifically for this purpose, go to [[https://accounts.google.com/SignUp?service=devconsole]] and follow the prompts to create one.
+  - Once you have a Google account, go to [[https://code.google.com/apis/console]] and log in using your Google account username and password.
+  - Click the //Services// link from the left-hand menu.
+  - Scroll down to //Google Maps API v3// and set its Status to //On//.
+  - Click the //API Access// link from the left-hand menu. Your API key is available from the API Access page, as shown below:{{ :common:googlemaps:api_console_key.jpg |}}
+  - Copy the API Key by selecting the entire length, without leading or trailing spaces or carriage returns, and pressing <Ctrl><C>, or right-click and select Copy.
+  - Follow the instructions contained in the next section, [[common:googlemaps:config|Configuring the Program for Google Maps]] to install your API Key.