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Geocoding is finding an address [[File:20151124 Wiki - Add all destinations.png|thumb|Addresses are found on the map. ]] To plan a route, we need the geographical position of each positions of your destinationsare required. All your addresses therefore need to be translated to map coordinates. Finding an address on the map is called ''Geocoding''.

While it should be obvious that each address corresponds with only one position on the planet, in real life it's not that easy. Addresses may be wrong, wrongly spelled, not complete, or not recognized at all, i.e. when they are new or renamed. That makes geocoding a difficult task, one that other services have specialized in. RouteXL sends your addresses to one of these awesome third-party geocoding services: Bing, Google, Here, Mapbox, Mapquest, Nominatim or Photon. You can select your preferred geocoder in the [[options]]. There is no good or bad, each geocoder has its own strengths and weaknesses. Their performance may vary in various regions and with various [[File:20151124 Wiki - Add all destinationsaddress format]] styles. == Hints and tips == To improve geocoding, the first thing you should check is your input.png|thumb|Addresses If your addresses are found not correct or not complete, finding them on the mapwill be problematic. Addresses may show up in the wrong place or not at all. Make sure you use the preferred [[address format]]. Remove any text that is not part of the address, like customer names or notes. If you still need that text, import it as [[import|additional fields]]. If your addresses are correct and complete, you can change these settings in [[Options]] > Geocoding to further improve the results: * Change the '''preferred geocoder'''. Some of the geocoders may set usage limits, as they often offer it as a free service. Selecting another geocoding service may impact address finding drastically. * Fill out an '''address suffix'''. E.g. if your addresses have no country, add it as suffix. If all your addresses are in the United States, but that is not in the addresses, fill out "United States" (without the quotes). The suffix will be added to all addresses automatically before sending them to the geocoding service. * Change the '''search area'''. If all your addresses are in a small area, such as a village, select a (S)mall or (M)edium search area to skip addresses that are too far away. The map center is used as center of the search area, so move it to the right spot before you start adding addresses.

While it should be obvious that each * Enable '''precise address corresponds with only one position on the planet, in real life it's not that easy'' checking. Addresses may be wrong, wrongly spelled, You'll get a warning if an address did not completeprovide a exact position, or not recognized at allbut an approximate, i.e. when they are new or renamed. That makes geocoding a difficult task, one that other services have specialized inzip code area.

RouteXL makes use of these awesome geocoding services''Hint: Bing, Google, Here, Mapbox, Mapquest, Nominatim if you have an account and Photon. You can select your preferred geocoder are logged in , the [[options]]will be saved. There is no good Without an account, or badwhen not logged in, your changes will be lost after each geocoder has itsession.''s own strengths and weaknesses. Their performance may vary in various regions and with various [[address format]] styles.

If you're in Europe you are probably not interested in addresses in the USA, unless you plan a holiday road trip. RouteXL filters some geocoding results on distance based on your location. Some geocoders also use your location to bias the search results. Your location is determined by the [[User interface|map center]].

=== Change settings Appartments ===

Appartment addresses are difficult for routing, as the algorithm will use the nearest point on the road for the stop. That may be on the other side of the building. The nearest point may even vary for different addresses in the same building, leading to inefficient routes. To improve geocodingavoid this, you can change these settings in could use the location of the main entrance. For example by dragging the marker on the map to the correct position before the [[Options]]route is created.

* If you have changed the geocoding options, you can test your settings using the [[Search|search box]]. Fill out an address suffix, e.g. your country if you have addresses without countryor a part of it, and wait a few seconds. The suffix search box autocompletion function will be added to all display a list of alternative addresses before sending them to . If these do not appear, or the geooding servicealternatives are wrong, try other settings for geocoding.

If you need the best geocoding service, [[upgrades|upgrade]] to one of our premium subscriptions. Upgraded accounts will be able to use Google Maps premium geocoding API. Google's geocoding service has generally proven to be the best one available. === Testing Map Style === Some geocoding services require their results to be displayed on their maps. To accomodate for this, whenever you change the geocoding service in the [[options]] the map style may automatically change with it. So, changing geocoding service may impact the map too. The routing [[algorithm]] however will not be impacted by this. == No addresses == The UN estimates that 4 billion people lack a reliable way to address their homes. Poor addressing means deliveries go astray, businesses can’t be found, aid doesn’t get through, remote assets are difficult to manage and friends fail to meet up. [https://what3words.com/ What3words] gives everyone and everywhere a 3 word address. It’s precise, simple and unique. And it’s changing the way people and businesses talk about location.

If you selected another geocoding service RouteXL supports What3words addressing. You can enter the address in the search field or added a suffix, you can test your settings using use the [[Search|search boxImport]]button. Fill out an When a 3 word addressis detected, or a part of itthe What3words system is called to find its geographic coordinates. Next to that, and wait a few seconds. The search box autocompletion function will display a list of alternative your locations can be translated to 3 word addresses. If these do not appear, or To activate the What3words integration use the setting in the alternatives are wrong, try other settings for geocoding[[Options]].