Geocoder Macro

[#1]

This macro from TravelTime can be used to convert street addresses into lat-long coordinates, and vice versa. Enables address to be added to the map as points for further analysis.

Available globally.

Download a free API key to get started.

[JakobJ]

Do I need to be subscribed to a geocoding service for this to work?  Or will I need to utilize an Alteryx add on? Thanks!

[steven4320555]

Hi @JakobJ , I just come across this macro, and had a go. It doesn't seem to need subscription for a geocoding service, but you have to get the free TravelTime API key. 

One thing I have found: the api may only work for certain countries, eg. it worked for an address in UK, but not for addresses in India and China. 

So question for the author: @chris_traveltime is there any limitation for the spatial coverage for the geocoder?

[chris_traveltime]

Hi @steven4320555 , the geocoder is available globally. It may just be different address formats required in different countries. Did you set the "Specify Focus Country" to India and China respectively?

And @JakobJ apologies for not getting back to you, but Steven is spot on that all you need is a free TravelTime API key which you can download here.

[steven4320555]

Hi @chris_traveltime  Thanks for the quick response.

I did specify focus country to India and China respectively, hence there were separate tools for each country in my previous screenshot. 

I just tried not to specify a focusing country, and I still can't get any result.

FYI, the address I was searching "TCS House, Raveline Street, Fort, Mumbai, India"

[chris_traveltime]

@steven4320555 in general our Geocoder works better without a building name/number. In this case if you simply use the street address "D Sukhadwala Road, Fort, Mumbai, India" then it locates it correctly.

[steven4320555]

Thanks again! @chris_traveltime 

The street address you shared did work, but the one I was searching did not work. 

However, based on your suggestion, to remove some details from the address, it did returned a result.

Curious to know:

1. Is there any documentation on how does the geocoding work in TravelTime API? covering some best practices working with data in different places?

2. What geocoding service TravelTime is utilising (if it is not a secret)?

[chris_traveltime]

Hi @steven4320555 we don't have any specific documentation around best practices for the geocoder. But in general I normally advise including less information rather than more. For example, in the UK just using a postcode as the address. Avoiding house numbers, building names etc is best.

In terms of the geocoder itself, we use Nominatim under the hood. 

One thing I would just mention is that the Geocoder we offer is largely intended to support our other core TravelTime services. It is not out primary offering (hence why we don't charge for it!) but is there to make the other bits of our API easier to use. 

[steven4320555]

@chris_traveltime  Thanks again for the clarification, crystal clear. I can see other TravelTime applications are very powerful, and insightful. 

Will explore them one by one soon.

ref: TravelTime Alteryx Macros | Alteryx Isochrones | Alteryx Distance Matrix