When you import a new layer from MS Excel file, geometry column is empty. Earthlight needs it to know where to place the data on the map. Geocode lets you automatically fill the geometry column using either the easting and northing columns in your data or matching address details from your data with existing gazetteer data.
First, you should choose the source layer that requires geocoding. You can do this in two ways:
- From map – if the layer that you want to geocode is already in the open map you can use pick it from this drop-down list,
- From file – use the layer from saved file. To do this, click Select and find your layer.
Second thing is to choose Geocoding columns. If your layer contains Easting/Northing columns, you should check the 2nd radio button and geocode by them. If not, you need to select columns that contain data about an address (because whole address data is a unique thing for each record). It is required for a valid UK postcode to be provided for each address.
After setting up all the options, click Geocode buttoon.
Sometimes there are some records that could not be matched, because:
- There are a few matches for a record – in that case you should specify one record that should be used in order to geocode selected record.
- No matches found – in that case you should geocode your layer again (go to Administration > Create > Geocode) using other columns (good idea is checking Geocode only currently ungeocoded records) and see if the results are better. It also appears when there are too many matches for one record.
