Geocoder

Uses various external web services to convert addresses to latitude/longitude coordinates, or to find the closest addresses to latitude/longitude coordinates (reverse geocode). Some services have additional information available, such as time zone or elevation.

Jump to Configuration

Typical Uses

Find coordinates and create geometry for a list of street addresses
Find addresses that match coordinates

How does it work?

The Geocoder provides a single interface to numerous geocoding web services. Once a service is selected, the appropriate parameters are presented, including connection credentials and the expected attributes the service needs to perform geocoding.

As features pass through the transformer, these attributes are passed to the service, and the results retrieved.

If the feature is successfully matched by the service, the results (attributes and/or geometry) are added to the feature and it is output through the Output port.

If the feature geocoding fails for any reason (including addresses not found, invalid coordinates, or failed credential authentication), it is output through the <Rejected> port.

Modes

The Geocoder can perform a variety of tasks, dependent upon which service you choose to use. Each service will provide one or more of these modes of geocoding:

Forward Street Address Geocoding	Single free form street address to latitude/longitude values, for example: "7445, 132nd Street, Surrey, BC, V3W 1J8" Discrete street address elements to latitude/longitude values, for example: "7445" "132nd" "Street" "Surrey" "BC" "V3W 1J8"
Forward IP Address Geocoding	IP address string to latitude/longitude values
Forward Address Geocoding to Service ID	Single free-form street address or discrete street address elements to a service-specific identifier
Reverse Street Address Geocoding	Latitude/longitude values to a single street address string
Reverse Elevation Geocoding	Latitude/longitude values to elevation in meters
Reverse Timezone Geocoding	Latitude/longitude values to timezone code, name and offset
Reverse Street Address Geocoding from Service ID	Service specific lookup key to a single street address string

The geocoding service result is stored in output feature attributes, feature geometry, or both. For example, latitude/longitude output is represented on the feature as a point geometry, and also as ‘_latitude’ and ‘_longitude’ attributes.

Usage Notes

Many services have restrictions on how their results may be used or displayed. Check with your chosen service for terms and conditions. See available services.
The expected input address format varies between services. See documentation provided by your chosen service for details.
If you need to create address strings for your chosen service, you can build them right in the Geocoder using the Text Editor, or consider using the AttributeManager to construct them as persistent attributes.

Configuration

Input Ports

Output Ports

Output

When the geocoding lookup is successful, the transformer will output the feature with added attributes and replaced geometry. Possible added attributes:

_address	A single-line address
_address_json	A multipart address in JSON format (if geocoder result fields are not predictable).
_latitude, _longitude	Latitude, Longitude
_elevation_meters, _elevation_feet, _elevation_resolution	Elevation in meters and feet, as well as margin of error in elevation value.
_key	A service ID for the geocoded address
_precision_code, _precision_level	Precision information about a geocoded result.
_timezone	Timezone short code. Example: America/Vancouver
_timezone_name	Timezone description. Example: Pacific Daylight Time
_timezone_offset	Offset from UTC in seconds. May be negative or positive.
_timezone_current_dst	Current offset in seconds from standard time during daylight saving time. Typically 0 or 3600, but other values are possible.

Note that attributes may be output in a corrected form from how they were entered.

For example, supplying “7445 132 street, surrey, bc” for forward geocoding might result in an output ‘_address’ attribute value of “7445 132 St, Surrey, BC V3W, Canada”. This can be a useful result for standardization of address data.

Parameters

This is a complete list of possible parameters for all services accessed by the Geocoder. Only the service-specific required parameters will be shown in the transformer once a service has been chosen.

Connection

Certain providers require the user to specify additional credentials, for example an API key, or a username and password, before performing the geocoding. Custom URLs are also required or allowed for some services.

URL	The URL field points to an alternative server location. This will usually be a self-hosted version of the online product, often using the customer’s own data instead of the generic, worldwide dataset available to the public.
Authentication Type	If a service supports more than one way of connecting, the choice will be available here.
Connection	Some services require a web connection, which can be created within the Geocoder or through Tools -> FME Options -> Web Connections.
API Key	Some services require the use of an API key, which is typically obtained by registering on the service website. Services that require a key cannot be used without one, typically because it is a paid service or enforces limits. Services where a key is optional generally provide improved performance or higher limits with a key than for unregistered users.
Username/Password Client/Secret App ID/App Code	Some services require or allow authentication with a username and password, App ID and App Code, or client key and secret.

Geocoding Parameters

This is the full list of possible parameters from all services. Note that every service will not support every parameter listed below.

Mode	If the chosen service supports multiple geocoding modes, they will be available for selection here; for example, the Google service supports Forward, Reverse, Elevation, and Timezone modes. If not, forward geocoding is always assumed. This choice also determines which input mode becomes active. Forward geocoding accepts input in the form of a street or IP address, while elevation, reverse, and timezone geocoding take in latitude and longitude for input.
Street Address	For a single line address, a comma-separated list of the address elements. For example, 123 Main Street, Surrey, BC, Canada. This string may be easily constructed from separate attributes, if required, by using the text editor to combine them right in the transformer, or using the AttributeManager earlier in the workspace. Note that some services are more lenient than others when it comes to the format of the address string. For discrete address elements, the street address will typically contain only the house number and street name. For example, 123 Main Street. This is used in conjunction with other fields to specify a full address.
City	The name of the city, for use in discrete address specification.
Province/State	The full name or abbreviation for the province or state component of a discrete address specification.
Postal/ZIP Code	The postal code or zip code component of a discrete address specification.
Country	The name of the country, for use in discrete address specification.
Latitude/Longitude	Distinct values for a latitude longitude pair. Example: Latitude: 49.1044 Longitude: -122.8011
Radius	Search radius around a given coordinate.
Out Fields	Select additional attributes to include on the output feature. The values of these attributes will be taken directly from the geocoding server response.
IP Address	An IPv4 or IPv6 address. Example: 199.7.157.0, or 2001:0db8:0a0b:12f0:0000:0000:0000:0001
Return Language	For some services, a language for geocoding results can be specified. This will usually apply to corrected addresses for forward geocoding as well as reverse geocoding result addresses. Example: Reverse geocoding 52.07, 4.28 will return “The Hague” in English (en), but “Den Haag” in Dutch (nl).

Advanced

Timeout	The user may optionally provide a value in this field to set the maximum amount of time, in seconds, to spend waiting on a single request. After the specified amount of time, if a request has not completed, the request will be retried, to a maximum of 3 attempts. If it does not succeed, the feature will be output with an error code.
Maximum Concurrent Requests	This specifies the number of geocoding requests to make in parallel. Please note that this may incur rate limiting from the geocoding service. The Geocoder will automatically wait and retry the request to a maximum of 3 attempts after a failure due to rate limiting.
Include Full JSON Response	If Yes, an attribute named json_response will be included on the output feature, containing the raw JSON response from the geocoding service.
Verify HTTPS Certificates	This controls whether HTTPS certificates should be verified when making web requests. The value of this parameter will override the Verify HTTPS Certificates parameter which may be defined by a web connection used when using the ArcGIS Server geocoding service.

Geocoding Services

Geocoding Services and Available Modes

The following services are supported:

Service	Modes
ArcGIS Online	Forward, Reverse
ArcGIS Server	Forward, Reverse
Bing	Forward, Reverse
Geocode.Farm	Forward, Reverse
Geocoder.ca	Forward, Reverse
Google	Forward, Reverse, Elevation, Timezone
HERE	Forward, Reverse
IPInfo.io	IP Address
ipstack	IP Address
OpenCage	Forward, Reverse
OpenStreetMap	Forward, Reverse
Precisely	Forward, Reverse, Forward to Key, Reverse From Key
TAMU	Forward, with census region information

Note that many services have additional requirements for use. A common requirement is that the resulting data be displayed on a map from the same service. Storage of result data in a database may also require additional fees. Please consult the terms of service of the geocoding providers (listed below) to ensure that your use is in compliance.

Geocoding Service Provider Information

ArcGIS Online	This service type makes use of a published geocoding service or locator view hosted on ArcGIS Online or a local ArcGIS Server installation. The World Geocoding service provided by Esri is used by default. To access this geocoding service, you need to provide valid ArcGIS Online access credentials. Contact Esri to set up your own ArcGIS Online account: https://www.arcgis.com/features/plans/pricing.html. Note that use of this Geocoder transformer may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. For more information, please see https://developers.arcgis.com/rest/geocode/api-reference/overview-world-geocoding-service.htm. Please review the terms of service before use: https://developers.arcgis.com/terms.
ArcGIS Server	This service type makes use of a published geocoding service or locator view on a local ArcGIS Server installation. It is recommended to use an Esri ArcGIS Portal web connection when attempting to access an authenticated server. You will be required to provide the URL to the specific Geocoding Server hosted on the Portal. For more information, please see https://enterprise.arcgis.com/en/server/latest/publish-services/windows/geocode-services.htm.
Bing	To access this geocoding service, you will need to provide valid Bing Maps access credentials. Contact Microsoft to set up your own Bing Maps account: https://www.microsoft.com/maps/Licensing/licensing.aspx. Note that use of this Geocoder transformer may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. Please review the terms of service before use: https://www.microsoft.com/maps/product/terms.html.
Geocode.Farm	To access this geocoding service, you need to provide valid Geocode.Farm access credentials. Contact Geocode.Farm to set up your own account: https://geocode.farm/register. Note that use of the Geocoder transformer with this service may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. Please review the terms of service before use: https://geocode.farm/policies/terms-of-service.
Geocoder.ca	To access this geocoding service, you can use a Geocoder.ca web connection or provide valid Geocoder.ca access credentials. Contact Geocoder.ca to set up your own account: https://geocoder.ca/?register=1. Note that use of the Geocoder transformer with this service may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. Please review the terms of service before use: https://geocoder.ca/?terms=1.
Google	To access this geocoding service, you can use a Google web connection or provide a valid Google Maps Geocoding API key. Contact Google to set up your own account: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/get-api-key. Note that use of the Geocoder transformer with this service may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. For more information, please see https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/usage-limits. Please review the terms of service before use: https://developers.google.com/maps/terms. Important: The Google Maps Geocoding API may only be used in conjunction with displaying results on a Google map. It is prohibited to use Google Maps Geocoding API data without displaying a Google map. For more info, please see: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/policies.
HERE	To access this geocoding service, you will need to provide valid HERE access credentials. Contact HERE to set up your own account: https://developer.here.com/plans/api/geocoder. Note that use of this Geocoder transformer may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. You are not allowed to display or visualize results on any third party content (such as map, views from streets, or satellite imagery) not owned by HERE. Please review the terms of service for important information on usage restrictions: https://developer.here.com/terms-and-conditions.
IPInfo.io	This geocoding service has limited transaction volumes based on your subscription level. Contact IPInfo.io to set up your own account: https://ipinfo.io/pricing. Please review the terms of service before use: https://ipinfo.io/developers.
ipstack	To access this geocoding service, you can use an ipstack web connection or provide a valid ipstack API key. To get an API key, create an account at https://ipstack.com/. ipstack is the successor to FreeGeoIP.net, which shut down on 2018-07-01. FreeGeoIP.net was removed from the Geocoder in FME 2018.1. Note that use of this Geocoder transformer with this service may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. Please review the terms of service before use: https://ipstack.com/terms.
OpenCage	To access this geocoding service, you can use an OpenCage web connection or provide valid OpenCage Geocoder access credentials. Contact OpenCage Data to set up your own account: https://geocoder.opencagedata.com/pricing. Note that use of this Geocoder transformer may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. Please review the terms of service before use: https://geocoder.opencagedata.com/terms.
OpenStreetMap (Nominatim)	This service is intended for use with a self-hosted Nominatim server. More information on installing a Nominatim server is available at: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Nominatim/Installation. To use your own server with the Geocoder, supply the full URL. This will typically end in “search” - for example, http://nominatim.example.com/search. OpenStreetMaps’s Nominatim server, while publicly available, is not intended for heavy use and has several usage restrictions which make it inappropriate for use with FME in almost all cases: https://operations.osmfoundation.org/policies/nominatim/.
Precisely	To access this geocoding service, you need to provide valid access credentials. Contact Precisely to set up your account: https://developer.precisely.com/ Note that use of this Geocoder transformer may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. Please review the terms of service before use. https://developer.precisely.com/pricing.
TAMU (Texas A&M University Geoservices)	To access this geocoding service, you can use a TAMU web connection or provide valid access credentials. Contact Texas A&M Geoservices to set up your own account: https://geoservices.tamu.edu/Pricing. Note that use of the Geocoder transformer with this service may use up credits and you may be subject to transaction limits. Please review the terms of service before use: https://geoservices.tamu.edu/About/Legal.

Editing Transformer Parameters

Using a set of menu options, transformer parameters can be assigned by referencing other elements in the workspace. More advanced functions, such as an advanced editor and an arithmetic editor, are also available in some transformers. To access a menu of these options, click beside the applicable parameter. For more information, see Transformer Parameter Menu Options.

Defining Values

There are several ways to define a value for use in a Transformer. The simplest is to simply type in a value or string, which can include functions of various types such as attribute references, math and string functions, and workspace parameters. There are a number of tools and shortcuts that can assist in constructing values, generally available from the drop-down context menu adjacent to the value field.

How to Set Parameter Values

Using the Text Editor

The Text Editor provides a convenient way to construct text strings (including regular expressions) from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and constants, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.

Text Editor

Using the Arithmetic Editor

The Arithmetic Editor provides a convenient way to construct math expressions from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and feature functions, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.

Arithmetic Editor

Conditional Values

Set values depending on one or more test conditions that either pass or fail.

Parameter Condition Definition Dialog

Content

Expressions and strings can include a number of functions, characters, parameters, and more.

When setting values - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors - strings and expressions containing String, Math, Date/Time or FME Feature Functions will have those functions evaluated. Therefore, the names of these functions (in the form @<function_name>) should not be used as literal string values.

Content Types

String Functions	These functions manipulate and format strings.
Special Characters	A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor.
Math Functions	Math functions are available in both editors.
Date/Time Functions	Date and time functions are available in the Text Editor.
Math Operators	These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor.
FME Feature Functions	These return primarily feature-specific values.
FME Parameters	FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used.
Creating and Modifying User Parameters	Create your own editable parameters.

Dialog Options - Tables

Transformers with table-style parameters have additional tools for populating and manipulating values.

Table Tools

Row Reordering

Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:

Add a row
Remove a row
Move current row up one
Move current row down one
Move current row to top
Move current row to bottom

Cut, Copy, and Paste

Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:

Cut a row - delete and copy to clipboard
Copy a row to the clipboard
Paste a row from the clipboard

Cut, copy, and paste may be used within a transformer, or between transformers.

Filter

Start typing a string, and the matrix will only display rows matching those characters. Searches all columns. This only affects the display of attributes within the transformer - it does not alter which attributes are output.

Import

Import populates the table with a set of new attributes read from a dataset. Specific application varies between transformers.

Reset/Refresh

Generally resets the table to its initial state, and may provide additional options to remove invalid entries. Behavior varies between transformers.

Note: Not all tools are available in all transformers.

Reference

Processing Behavior	Feature-Based
Feature Holding	No
Dependencies	External geocoding web service(s)
Aliases
History	This FME Package transformer replaces the Geocoder originally shipped with FME 2021.1 and older versions.

FME Community

The FME Community is the place for demos, how-tos, articles, FAQs, and more. Get answers to your questions, learn from other users, and suggest, vote, and comment on new features.

Search for all results about the Geocoder on the FME Community.

Examples may contain information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver and/or the Open Government Licence – Canada.