Geocoding

Geocoding Google Spreadsheets: link

This method utilizes Google Sheets (within your Google account). This method involves using the script editor within Sheets. This will populate the fields with latitude and longitude.


  1. Create a new spreadsheet with header line Location, Lat, and Lon
  2. Tools, script editor “create new project”
  3. Replace lines of code with see website*
  4. Rename/save, publish, deploy as web app
  5. Close and go back to your sheet (refresh/ F5)
  6. Now there is a macros menu – Geocode Selected Cells Worldwide
  7. Paste in your address info
  8. Single address field used in location
  9. Select the 3 columns, go to Macros, geocode
  10. Authorize to run
  11. Will populate lat lon with coordinates


Geo for Google Docs: link

This is one of my favorite methods. This one again uses the Google Sheets script editor. You will need to copy/paste the code from the link.

  1. Open Google Sheets
  2. Go to tools, script editor
  3. Paste code *from website
  4. Rename to geo, file, save
  5. Go back to spreadsheet and refresh (F5)
  6. Geo tool now to the right of 'Help'
  7. Paste in addresses
  8. Can be multiple or single
  9. Select address(es)
  10. Hit geo button (might have to authorize)
  11. Choose geocoding service
  12. Automatically generated additional fields for lat/lon


Mapcite: link

Mapcite is a downloadable addin for Excel. There are paid and free versions. The free version only allows you to geocode up to 100 lines. I've found the licensing for the free version to be a bit confusing. But it is a great product.


  1. Excel addin
  2. Free and paid options
  3. Free only allows 100 lines
  4. Adds a Mapcite tab
  5. Select all data
  6. Geocode data button
  7. Automatically generates columns


ESRI: link

Like most esri stuff, it works great but costs money. You need an account and will consume credits (that you pay for) to geocode.

  1. Need an account
  2. Paid (by using credits)


GPSVisualizer: link

This is another online option (no downloads or installs). You need to obtain the keys needed to get any use out of this site.


  1. Online – no downloads or software
  2. Copy and paste
  3. Need to get keys to do more than a handful of geocodes


Hamster Map: link

This is another online option (no downloads or installs). One copies and pastes their data. There appaers to be no limits, registration, or costs. Probably my favorite online geocode option.


  1. Online – no downloads or software
  2. Copy and paste
  3. Does not seem to be any limitations, keys needed, or limits
  4. No imports/uploads/registrations/costs


map a list: link

Another one I did not personally try. Need to register. You can add addresses directly from Google Sheets and dowload a kml.


  1. Need to register
  2. Addresses from Google sheets
  3. Download kml
  4. Did not actually try and use this one


Census Geocoder: link

latlong.net: link

Excel: Link

Google Earth: link

The key with this is to download the newly free Google Earth Pro. Again, this will map your points but not give you latitude and longitude. With Google Earth, you can convert your points to kml. Than you can calculate the lat/long using the kml and ArcMap (calculate geometry) or QGIS (field calculator).


  1. Download Google Earth Pro (its free now)
  2. Convert spreadsheet into a .CSV
  3. File-import
  4. Field type: Delimited
  5. Delimited: Comma
  6. Determine if you want to use multiple address fields or a single address field
  7. Right click and save place as to create a kml or kmz file
  8. Doesn't populate fields with lat/long
  9. Import kml into qgis or arcmap and calculate geometry to get lat/long


Geocoding using LibreOffice Calc: link

This method utilizes LibreOffice Calc (or OpenOffice). This method was a little less straightforward than the other methods I looked at. But it definitely worked.


  1. Open LibreOffice Calc
  2. Tools, Macros, Organize macros, LibreOffice Basic
  3. On module 1, click edit button
  4. Paste lines of code with see website*
  5. Two options (google and open street map)
  6. Paste single address into a field
  7. In adjoining field, enter: “=GetGeoData(A1)”
  8. This generated lat long in one field
  9. Click corner of pasted field and drag to cover all addresses
  10. Generated lat long in one field


QGIS: link

This method assumes you have downloaded/installed QGIS. This methods worked extremely well. First, your data must be in a .CSV format. You will also need to add the MMQGIS plugin. This method will generate a shapefile but not populate fields with latitude and longitude. But a quick use of the Field Calculator will generate the lat/long for you.


  1. Download/open QGIS
  2. Install MMQGIS plugin (plugins, manage and install plugins)
  3. Convert spreadsheet into CSV
  4. Need columns: address, city, state, and country
  5. Needs to be multiple address fields
  6. In qgis, MMQGIS, Geocode, CSV with Google/OpenStreetMap
  7. Note the differences in Google vs OSM
  8. Generated a shapefile
  9. Does not add lat/long to table
  10. Calculate lat/long: toggle editing, open attriubute table, open field calculator, choose create field, decimal number, latitude $y and longitude is $x


SteveMorse: link

This website is nice because it is online. There is no need to download or install anything. It can do single or batch geocoding.

  1. Single or batch
  2. Online – no downloads or software
  3. Copy and paste to and from spreadsheet


Batchgeo: link

This is an online option (no downloads or installs). You are required to give an email address. It generates a map showing your points but it does give you the option to download the points as a kml file (which you could convert later).

How to tutorial

  1. Online – no downloads or software
  2. Required to enter email address
  3. Generates a map
  4. Scroll to bottom to download kml


ESRI Maps for Office: link

This is an Excel addin. You need to have an organizational (paid) account to use it and you consume credits when you geocode with it.


  1. Excel addin
  2. Need an organizational (paid) account with ESRI
  3. Uses credits ($) to geocode


Maptive: link

One has to register and there are free and paid versions. Free has 7500 geocodes/month. I did not personally try this site.


  1. Need to register
  2. Free and paid versions
  3. Free has 7500 geocodes/month
  4. Did not actually try and use this one


Power Map for Excel: link

This is an Excel addin crated by Microsoft. It works for Office 2013 or Office 365. You can insert a Bing map or Power Map.

  1. Excel addin by Microsoft
  2. Office 2013 or Office 365
  3. In Excel, go to insert
  4. Can insert Bing map
  5. Will visualize the addresses on a map but not options to geocod


Batch geocoder for Journalists

article link

Site link