How to obtain a Google Maps API key?

  1. Create a billing account at Google Cloud Platform
  2. Create a new project within your account
  3. Add en enable the Directions API to your API’s list

Step 1 | Set up a billing account at Google Cloud Platform

Watch the next video to set up a billing account at Google Cloud Platform:

Step 2 | Create a project at Google Cloud Platform

To use the Excel Distance Calculator you need a Google Maps API key code. The API key is a unique identifier that is used to authenticate requests associated with your project for usage and billing purposes. To get a active key code you first need to create a project and billing account at Google Cloud Platform.

  1. Go to the Google Cloud Console.
  2. Click the project drop-down and select or create the project for which you want to add an API key.
  3. Click the menu button  and select Google Maps Platform > Credentials.
  4. On the Credentials page, click + Create Credentials > API key.
    The API key created dialog displays the newly created API key.
  5. Click Close.
    The new API key is listed on the Credentials page under API Keys.

Finally in order to have your Excel Distance Calculator work correctly you have to add and enable the Directions API to your list of APIs.
Please follow the next steps:

  1. Login at Google Cloud Platform and click at the icon in the upper left corner.
  2. Select API & Services and go to Dashboard
  3. Click on + ENABLE API’S AND SERVICES
  4. Search in the API Library for Directions API
  5. Click and ENABLE/MANAGE the Directions API
  6. The Directions API is added to your API’s list.