ArcGIS Online

Key Terms

Geocoding is the process of transforming location information (e.g., street addresses, place names, etc.) into coordinate data (e.g., latitude/longitude) that can be plotted and symbolized on a map.

Reverse geocoding is the process of taking latitude and longitude values from a map layer and converting them into street addresses or place names.
 

Add XY Data is a tool that lets users convert a spreadsheet with xy coordinate data (e.g., longitude, latitude) into a geospatial point layer that can be plotted and symbolized on a map. 

Help & Tutorials

How to Geocode Addresses

Option 1: Map Viewer

1. Sign into Brandeis ArcGIS Online. In Map Viewer, click Add in the left sidebar menu and select the spreadsheet with your address data.
   
    
2. Confirm the variables, column display names, and field types that you want to upload from your spreadsheet.
   
    
3. Change the Location Settings menu to Addresses or Place Names. 
   
    
4. Select if your address information in location in a single field or multiple fields in your spreadsheet.
   
    
5. Confirm the location type and matching fields from your spreadsheet that are needed to plot your address data (e.g., Region = State). 
   
    
6. Review the number of credits needed to geocode your addresses. 
7. Choose a filename and then click Create and Add to Map.
8. A new point layer will be added to your map. If you want to review your matched, tied, and unmatched locations, you can do so by opening the Item Details page for the new point feature layer.

Option 2: Content Menu

1. Go to the Content menu in Brandeis ArcGIS Online.
2. Click New Item, then select the spreadsheet that you want to geocode.
   
    
3. When prompted about how you would like to add your file, select the first option: Add [your file name] and create a hosted layer or table.
   
    
4. Confirm the variables, column display names, and field types that you want to upload from your spreadsheet. 
5. Change the Location Settings menu to Addresses or Place Names. 
6. Select if your address information in location in a single field or multiple fields in your spreadsheet.
7. Confirm the location type and matching fields from your spreadsheet that are needed to plot your address data (e.g., Region = State).
8. Review the number of credits needed to geocode your addresses. 
9. Choose a file name for your new feature layer, then click Save to publish the new feature layer.
10. You will be redirected to the Item Details page for the file. A pop-up window will indicate how many address locations were successfully matched. You can review and edit your matched, tied, and unmatched address locations.
    
     
11. If you decide to review your locations, you will be redirected into Map Viewer Classic, the older map viewer in ArcGIS Online. You can select a location in your table, review possible address suggestions for the location, and make changes as needed.
    

How to Add XY Data

Option 1: Map Viewer

1. Sign into Brandeis ArcGIS Online. In Map Viewer, click Add in the left sidebar menu and select the spreadsheet with your address data.
   

2. Confirm the variables, column display names, and field types that you want to upload from your spreadsheet.

3. Change the Location Settings menu to Latitude and longitude.
   

4. Use the location field drop-down menus to select the latitude and longitude columns from your spreadsheet.
   

5. Choose a file name for your new feature layer, then click Save to publish the new feature layer.

Option 2: Content Menu

1. Go to the Content menu in Brandeis ArcGIS Online.
2. Click New Item, then select the spreadsheet with the latitude and longitude coordinates that you want to plot.
3. Confirm the variables, column display names, and field types that you want to upload from your spreadsheet.
4. Change the Location Settings menu to Latitude and longitude.
5. Use the location field drop-down menus to select the latitude and longitude columns from your spreadsheet.
6. Choose a file name for your new feature layer, then click Save to publish the new feature layer.
7. You will be redirected to the Item details page for the new point layer. You can click Open in Map Viewer if you would like to add the layer to a new map. You will also be able to search for this layer in Map Viewer under the Add Layer menu since the file is saved in your Brandeis ArcGIS Online account.