Digital Ag Map — Setup Guide

Before You Start

A Google account (Gmail or Google Workspace)
Google Chrome browser (recommended)
Basic familiarity with Google Sheets

No Google Maps API key needed — the app uses free ESRI satellite tiles by default.

Copy the Template Spreadsheet

Click the "Get Your Copy" button on the Digital Ag Map page. This opens Google Sheets and prompts you to make a copy.

Click "Make a copy" — Google will create your own private version with all the code already attached.

Your copy will appear in your Google Drive. Rename it to something like "[Your Farm Name] — Digital Ag Map".

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The copy includes all the Apps Script code automatically. You don't need to paste or install anything extra.

Open the Apps Script Editor

In your copied spreadsheet, go to Extensions → Apps Script.

This opens the Apps Script editor in a new tab. You'll see several files listed on the left side:

Code.gsMain router — handles URL routing and utilities

Config.gsData access — all CRUD operations for the 5 tabs

FieldMap.gsMap data builder — aggregates everything into one payload

InitSetup.gsSetup script — creates your data tabs automatically

Map.htmlThe main satellite map interface

Seeding.htmlSeeding progress dashboard

Harvest.htmlHarvest tracking dashboard

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Don't worry about editing these files — everything works out of the box. You can customize later if needed.

Run the Setup Script

In the Apps Script editor, look for the file InitSetup.gs and click on it.

At the top, click the function dropdown (it says "Select function") and choose setupApp.

Click the ▶ Run button.

Google will ask you to authorize the script. Click "Review permissions" → choose your Google account → click "Advanced" → "Go to Digital Ag Map (unsafe)" → "Allow".

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Google shows a scary "This app isn't verified" warning because it's your own custom script. This is normal for personal Apps Script projects — you're authorizing your own code to access your own spreadsheet.

After authorization, the script runs and creates 5 tabs in your spreadsheet: Config, Fields, Seeding, Harvest, and Pins.

Each tab includes the correct column headers and sample data so you can see how the system works.

Configure Your Farm

Go back to your Google Sheet and click on the Config tab.

Update these key-value pairs:

FarmNameYour farm name (shows in the app header)

AdminPINA 4-digit PIN for admin actions (e.g. 1234)

DefaultLatYour farm's latitude (e.g. 51.793)

DefaultLngYour farm's longitude (e.g. -114.108)

DefaultZoomMap zoom level (13 is good for most farms)

CropColorsJSON color map, e.g. {"Canola":"#FFD700","Wheat":"#DAA520"}

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To find your farm's coordinates, search your address in Google Maps, right-click the map, and click the coordinates to copy them.

Deploy as a Web App

Go back to the Apps Script editor.

Click Deploy → New Deployment (blue button, top right).

Click the gear icon next to "Select type" and choose Web app.

Set the following options:

Click Deploy.

Copy the Web app URL — this is your farm's Digital Ag Map!

Open the URL in your browser. You should see the satellite map interface.

DescriptionDigital Ag Map v1.0

Execute asMe (your email)

Who has accessAnyone

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"Anyone" access means anyone with the link can view the map. They still need your Admin PIN to make changes.

Start Using Your Map

Your Digital Ag Map is now live. Here's what you can do right away:

Draw field boundaries by clicking points on the satellite map
Import existing boundaries from Shapefile (.zip), KML, KMZ, or GeoJSON
Set up seeding plans — assign crops, varieties, and fertilizer rates per field
Track harvest progress with yield and moisture data
Drop hazard pins for rocks, obstacles, and points of interest
Share the URL with crew members so they can update progress from their phones

Sharing With Another Farmer

Want to give Digital Ag Map to a neighbour or colleague? It's simple.

Share your Google Sheet link with "Viewer" access

They click File → Make a Copy (this copies the code too)

In their copy: Extensions → Apps Script → Deploy → New Deployment

They authorize once — the app runs under their own Google account

They update the Config tab with their farm name, location, and crop colors

Need Help?

If you run into issues during setup, feel free to reach out.

Get in Touch →Back to Digital Ag Map