Geocoding – Guide to Address Locating in ArcMap
January 27, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under ArcGIS, Data Management, GIS Tips
Geocoding is a process that enables you to match database records to a real world location based upon attribute fields such as addresses, PINs, Cities, etc. Carrying out this process in ArcMap is very simple and can be completed in just a few steps.
Note: This example uses addresses, but other attributes can be used.
1. Compile Address Table – This can be done in excel, access, or other compatible file format .
Read more on: Excel in ArcGIS Desktop
2. Create Address Locator – The address locator will be based upon the data that needs to be located and the reference data.
- Open ArcCatalog
- Open desired folder for Locator to be saved in
- Right click in contents area
- Click New -> Address Locator…
3. Choose Locator Style – This will depend upon the source data and reference data. These data types need to correlate.
4. Set Address Locator Options
- Name and Description
- Reference data – The data you will match to such as address points, streets, or city points.
- Match corresponding fields – This will vary by locator style. US Streets is shown here.
- Set Matching Options – You will find which configuration works best through trial and error.
- Click Ok
Your locator has now been create and is shown in ArcCatalog via the “House” icon.
5. Add Address Table to Map – You can add Excel tables directly into ArcMap (9.2 or later) or create a .dbf table to be added in.
6. Right Click Table -> Geocode Addresses…
7. Add Locator to Map and Select it to be Used – You will need to browse to the folder (via the “Add..” button) that contains the created locator.
8. Complete Locator/Geocoding Options
- Select Corresponding Input Fields
- Choose Output Location
- Click Ok
Status is updated during geocoding process and results are shown on map.
10. You can Review or Rematch Any Address
- Right Click on geocoded point file in Table of Contents
- Data -> Review/Rematch ddresses…
- Follow options in Interactive Rematch Dialog
Calculate Lat/Long for Shapefile
Ever needed to add XY or Latitude/Longitude values to you shapefiles or feature classes? Well, what seems to be a mystery can easily be done with just a few clicks.
The easiest way to get the lat/long values is to right click the field and select “Calculate Geometry…”. You can define whether to calculate x or y along with other geometries too.
Here is a more extensive video tutorial.
