Google maps - with Access Postcode data

[Chrisopia]

I've seen forms before where they can show you a google map using the address data in the table to display the location

however, the ones ive seen, (about 4 or 5 different versions), only do it one by one.

I have a list of 1000 Postcodes and addresses, I need to export a google map with them all on pin pointed, is this possible?

It's something we need to do to see marketing coverage, and I dont want to do each address one by one!

 

[Jarvo]

I am certain google earth allows the functionality of mulitple data points being plotted on the map at once. Is there a reason you want to use maps instead of earth? If not give it a shot.

 

[Chrisopia]

ah that's interesting, would I just export the postcodes into some sort of XML data file?

how is this set out - is there a page for this?

 

[Chrisopia]

http://code.google.com/apis/kml/documentation/kml_tut.html#placemarks

I followed that tutorial on the google page, and it looks like KML files for google earth require longitude and latitude... but not post code reference?

 

[gemma-the-husky]

uk post code DEFINITELY does not work with google - uk post codes are copyright the post office, and you cannot get them for free,

google actually returns a precision indicator with address mapping -so a full address will return a KML file to determine lat/long with precision 9 (i think), meaning 100%

a UK postcode only determines to aboout level 4/5 which actually returns the centre of the post code

eg M16 3BL

google will only give you the centre of either the "M16", or "M16 3" location, which is often several miles off the true location.

 

[Chrisopia]

thats not 100% true.... searching a postcode in google goes straight to the street...

however it does only that unless you put the company name in there as well and they have registered for google mapping pinpoints...

for example:

searching for "Digiprint BA1 1QU" goes straight to it -

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s....37988,-2.360078&spn=0.00107,0.00284&t=h&z=19

the URL is a bit strange, but my initial search is still there...

the same happens in google earth, but nothing here makes sense to create a KML file. I have a whole database of full addresses, so postcodes dont have to be the only thing to search for to place points.

 

[Atomic Shrimp]

uk post code DEFINITELY does not work with google - uk post codes are copyright the post office, and you cannot get them for free,

google actually returns a precision indicator with address mapping -so a full address will return a KML file to determine lat/long with precision 9 (i think), meaning 100%

a UK postcode only determines to aboout level 4/5 which actually returns the centre of the post code

eg M16 3BL

google will only give you the centre of either the "M16", or "M16 3" location, which is often several miles off the true location.

I just bashed my own postcode into Google Maps (via the search box on maps.google.co.uk) and it took me to my street. I changed the last alpha digit of the code and it took me to the next street - I tried a few other variations of the last digit and they all pointed at different streets near me - the results are the same as streetmap.co.uk's postcode search.

...so it works through the web UI - is this functionality not present in the API?

 

[Chrisopia]

thats what I was saying... Postcodes work... but, the only guide I found in constructing a kml file for google needs coordinates, and I only have postcodes?

Also how would I export my database into such a construction... i.e. defining my own tags to match those which google use.... and also how tdo I import the kml back into google earth?

 

[mark_mpn]

We can append lat/long columns to your records in bulk, or provide a geocoding web service you can use from VBA to do it yourself. Details of the service are here:

http://www.data-8.co.uk/integr8/Services/Address_Location.aspx

or give us a call to discuss the batch option (0151 355 4555).

 

[Chrisopia]

Thats all very well mark, but I don not want to buy anything... I'd rather figure it out for myself.

Postcodes aren't inaccurate, else we'd end up with missing post... there must be a way for google to read Post Codes and street addresses from KMLs...

 

[gkun]

It is possible, but you will need some Java codes.

Alternatively, you can use some premium GIS/Mapping software. Almost every single one of them can geocode the location from the address from csv files, build thematic mapping to some extent, and the expensive ones even come with market intelligence data subscriptions. If you still need the Google Map stuff, they also allow you to export the files into something that Google Earth and Google Map might be able to read.

The cheapest that I know of (and use) is Depiction (www.depiction.com). You can ask for free trial, then decide whether you like it or not.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

let me rephrase this then

i was trying to do some work with maps

I was trying to turn UK addresses into lats/longs to determine distances etc - initially i tried using google earth - in order to obtain the lats/longs from google earth via csv/kml files, you need to register for a google key, and then make the call with this key to google earth, via a specific url structure.

now it will not display the map, but will return a short text message, either in the form of a kml(xml) file, or a csv - depending on what you asked for - which will include the lat/long etc - but I am reasonably sure that the accuracy of THIS when you JUST use a UK postcode is not spot on, as UK postcode data is not free. - you can then parse this short text string to extract the data you need from it.

there are numerous mapping services that will return accurate locations for a UK postcode, but they are not free, to the best of my knowledge.

Because of difficulties working with google earth, I have started looking at MS mappoint -decidedly not free, but relatively easy to use, and you get a useful 2 month free trial. It does things like a sat nav - plotting AB routes with waypoints etc, and you can control it fairly easily from access.

 

[Maptitude]

Unfortunately, postcode data is not free in the UK and is becoming increasingly restricted. The Maptitude Mapping Software allows you to geocode by postal code, and also to higher levels (postal sector, district, and area) and to customize the map. Again- not free, but it seems like what you want is professional map software.