Address/Location field clarification

[Frank Tikket]

I just had a simple question… And maybe I’m missing something here, but can someone explain to me the purpose of the location field?

I have some company names and their addresses, I just want to view a record and “click” the field that contains the full address in one cell, that’s also marked as a location type field. When I do this it just shows me my current GPS location (never finding the actual address-I’ve tried on multiple addresses.) they are all standard format (ex. 5000 Main Street Miami, FL 33010).

If this helps (bug or not) under every address, the word “null” has appeared on it’s own in every record. I just want to open a US address on a map, and also keep the full address as it is (not “Miami, fl 35.779, 68.4939)

Is this how it’s coded or is there a bug on my side? Thank you for the great app!!! Also, would be willing to pay some money to view a “smart search” collection of address all at once on the map. Several apps do this in the App Store, but integrated here I would pay up! :) I use this app for business sales calls ;)

[Brendan]

Hi Frank,

The location field stores 2 pieces of information. The textual address and the geographic coordinates. There is a search function on the map screen that displays when you view the details of a location field. You can enter in an address in that spot to have Tap Forms search for you. Then once it finds a location and you’ve saved it, you are free to type in a different value for the location name. A screenshot showing all the nulls would be helpful for me to see.

Also, adding a map view that shows multiple locations on it would be good and I’ve thought about it for a while now.

Thanks!

Brendan

[Frank Tikket]

Thanks for the quick reply. Basically what I did was export bento data into excel. From there I combined the 4-5 different address fields into one cell. From there I imported data via a CSV file. Every single address is showing null. I have tried to convert to text, then back to location but the same result (null). When I click the address it just shows my current location.

Like I said, I know you get multiple feature requests, but I would be willing to pay you to see multiple smart search lists populate the map ;)

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[Frank Tikket]

I just noticed when I export to a CSV my data that the “location” field breaks out into 4 sections [ Address (address), Address latitude, Address longitude, Address)

So maybe I can re-import my addresses, but how exactly would I do that when there is 4 address/location fields for one record?

[Brendan]

Hi Frank,

Ok, I understand what’s happening now. The (null) is where the geographic coordinates are supposed to be. If you were to do a search for a location and save that field you’ll see the coordinates appear there.

There are 4 fields, but to import you only need one. It’s the one that has all the data combined into one field with the <location> tag.

For example:

My Location<location>
“Big Ben, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA, UK [51.500728,-0.124626]”

So if your address is in that format with coordinates provided, Tap Forms will be able to re-create your location field data.

Thanks!

Brendan

[Frank Tikket]

So I have 5000 addresses, do I have to go one by one locating the coordinates for each location? Most people (99%) refer to an address by the street, state and zip. I have 5000 addresses with no coordinates, how can I get those in without going one by one?

Thanks again for the support and fast responses!

[Brendan]

Hi Frank,

Well, perhaps you need to use just a regular Text field for your addresses? If you really want them plotted on a map, then you’ll need to get the coordinates.

Check out: http://stevemorse.org/jcal/latlonbatch.html

Thanks!

Brendan

[Alexander Lin]

Hi, Brendan, 

I am not sure you have ever received a feature request to type in textual geographic coordinates into a Location field instead of an address for searching. 

As recently more vendors (e.g. Restaurant ) could provide accurate geographic coordinates for more convenient and helpful to lead to their location by mobile devices.

Thanks.

[Brendan]

Hi Alexander,

If you’re displaying the location map sheet on the Mac version (haven’t tested it on the iOS version), you can enter a geo coordinate into the search field and Tap Forms will plot that location on the map.

So enter this into the Location search fields: 51.500728,-0.124626 and press the Return key to perform the search.

You should be pointed to the location where Big Ben is in London.

Thanks!

Brendan

[Alexander Lin]

Hello Brendan, thanks for your response and guidance for this question.

I have just tested the Location search on iOS version by using Sample Form, it did show me the Big Ben.

Thanks so much, your kindly support is wonderful.

[Brendan]

Hello Alexander,

I’m glad that worked on iOS too.

Thanks!

Brendan

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