Google has a video tutorial on how to set up the free Java text editor jEdit so that it will automatically validate KML as you type it in. Given how picky KML is about cases (capital letters) compared to HTML, this is a nice capability to have for both creating and debugging KML files. Now if someone would only create a KML plugin for jEdit …
The Google Outreach page has other great Google Earth tutorials:
- Building Better Balloons
- Creating KML From a Spreadsheet
- Adding Time as a Fourth Dimension
- Packaging Content in a KMZ File
- Promoting Your KML
- Avoiding Overload with Regions
- Creating an Immersive User Experience
- Using Network Links Effectively
Other posts in the Google Earth Data Tools series
- KML Editors
- Diagramming In Google Maps And Google Earth With Smoot
- Plotting Data In Google Earth Using GE-Graph
- Drawing Grids, Paths And Polygons In Google Earth Using GE-Path
- Online Google Earth Utilities For Buffering And Area Calculations
- Easy Display Of Thematic Data In Google Maps And Google Earth
- Using GIF/PNG Transparency In Displaying Raster Graphics In Google Earth
- Adding Vector Graphic Objects To Google Earth
- Animated GIFs In Google Earth
- Creating A Network KML Link To A Google Spreadsheet
- LIDAR Tools
- EarthPlot Software Tools For Google Earth
- Geographic Time Animations
- Convert TIGER Polygons To KML Files
- Putting Time Data Into A KML File
- Using The KML Time Embedder To Stamp Time Data Into A Google Earth File
- Using The KML Time Embedder, Concluded
- KML Time Embedder Improved With Hour-Minute-Second Ability
- Grid Creation And Path/Polygon Measurements: Two New Online KML Tools
- Google Earth PhotoOverlay Tool
- KML Random Placemark Generator
- Update For Online Google Earth Utilities
- KML Time Code Utility
- Screen Overlays In Google Earth
- The KML Screen Overlay Maker Utility
- KML Screen Overlay Maker Utility, Concluded
- KML Circle Generator
- Creating Google Earth Screen Overlays With EarthPaint
- Text Editor With KML Validation
- Online Spreadsheet To KML Converter
- Version 2.0 Of Google’s Online KML Spreadsheet Mapper Tool Released
- Creating Google Earth Ground Overlays From Georeferenced Images
- Google Earth Ground Overlays With GIF Transparency
- Creating "Transparent" Topo Map Overlays For Google Earth
- Using Google Earth Ground Overlays To Display Shapefile Data
- Converting 3D Objects Into Google Earth Format
- Thematic Mapping In Google Earth
Another option is to use the just announced KML Validator (http://www.kmlvalidator.com/home.htm). It is a free online service that checks your KML files against the new OGC KML 2.2 standard. Files can be uploaded or referenced from a URL. After checking the file it generates a report that outlines any issues and provides advice on how to resolve them.