The system supports three approaches to geocoding your data. The first two options are applicable only if you have already uploaded your dataset to the system and now want to add geo coordinates.
Option 1 - Add to metadata
Add coordinates to metadata manually if your location names are complicated and not standardized to normal global conventions or recognizable, singular locations.
Option 2 - Through a geocoding API
Add coordinates through a geocoding API service for standard country, county, state, city, etc. (well-known places). This feature is performed behind the scenes by an external Google Service. Google imposes restrictions on the number of raw data points that you may geocode on a daily basis. If you hit the limit, your let your system administrator know as it may be possible to adjust the limit.
Option 3 - Upload with dataset
Upload a new dataset with coordinates using a flat file format.
Following our step-by-step directions you can follow for which option is best suited to your data.
Option 1 - Add to metadata
- Open your dataset in Dataset Viewer.
- From the More Actions menu, choose Edit Details.
- Select the dimension to which you want to add latitude and longitude coordinates.
- Then add a new field (in a regular dataset file, this is the equivalent of adding an additional column in the Indicator worksheet).
- Here select from the drop-down menu the type of field (repeat this step twice, once each for latitude and longitude).
Note: Do not make a selection in locale or base field.
- Then select the location you need to add coordinates to from the list of Members.
- Insert coordinates for each member. Note that there are several formats for geo coordinates and the system will only support decimal degrees.
- Decimal degrees (DD): 41.40338, 2.17403
- Degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS): 41°24'12.2"N 2°10'26.5"E
- Degrees and decimal minutes (DMM): 41 24.2028, 2 10.4418
- Click Save, and repeat the process for each additional member.
Option 2 - Through a geocoding API
The system also includes an automated tool to convert addresses (like a street address) into geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). This means you can transform "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA" into decimal degrees that will be useful in building maps.
- Open your dataset in Dataset Viewer.
- From the More Action menu, choose Geocode.
- Select the Dimension to which you want to add coordinates.
- Click Geocode and the automatic geocoding process will start.
Option 3 - Upload with dataset
You are uploading a new dataset and want to add geo coordinates. Follow these steps:
- Prepare flat data file, in which each row is a unique observation.
- Add two columns Latitude and Longitude.
- For each row, insert geo coordinate in decimal degrees (e.g. 41.40338, 2.17403)
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Take your account to the format for coordinates. There are several formats of geo-coordinates. Other coordinate formats are not supported.
- Upload your file as usual from Upload Data > Custom Upload Settings.
- From the upload wizard, remember that you will need to assign type, status, and (if applicable) grouped to. Check to make sure that for the latitude and longitude are marked appropriately in the type column of the wizard.
- After completing all required fields, Save.
