Geocoding
Geocoding is the process of taking street level addresses and creating a positional location. This is accomplished by comparing the addresses to a locator file, which is used to determine approximate positions. When this operation is completed, a new point feature class file will be created. Before geocoding ensure that, the table (Excel, CSV) has only one header role and no special characters in the names on the header row (such as spaces). Once the table has been modified it can be used in the geocoding process, typically the geocoder will be placed on a server class machine such as an Esri ArcGIS Server.
- The first three parameters in the functional script are comparable to those used in other scripts in this module.
- The next lines define four different variables and some take a unique format.
- The fieldName variable is used to compare the name in the address file (CSV) to that in the locator file. The locator file has a set name for street, city, state and zip code. The address file (CSV) has field names that may differ and should be reviewed in the attribute table. This variable must use the format shown to compare the two files. This comparison variable must be exact for the two files, the first variable in each group is from the locator
- The addressLocator file is the pathway to the locator. The locator is on a geospatial server. This variable shows the name of the server and the location of the locator service. Care must be taken that no typing errors are made.
- The third variable is the name of the output file; a more descriptive name would help improve the understanding of the geography.
- The final defined variable is the name of the input file, which is a table.
- The fieldName variable is used to compare the name in the address file (CSV) to that in the locator file. The locator file has a set name for street, city, state and zip code. The address file (CSV) has field names that may differ and should be reviewed in the attribute table. This variable must use the format shown to compare the two files. This comparison variable must be exact for the two files, the first variable in each group is from the locator
- The geocoding function is called GeocodeAddresses and is located in the geocoding toolbox.
- Open the geocoding_output file in Esri ArcMap Desktop and the locations of the points should be displayed.