What are some best practices for geocoding addresses from CSV files?

Answer

Geocoding is a process that converts addresses to XY coordinates so they can be displayed on a map using an address locator or a geocoding service. In ArcGIS Online, this is done by adding an address table to Map Viewer or adding it as an Item in the Content page. This article describes best practices for geocoding addresses in ArcGIS Online from an address table to increase accuracy in matching addresses, and understand credit usage in geocoding.

Table formatting

• Prepare the address table to match the parameters and properties before geocoding in ArcGIS Online, as ArcGIS Online World Geocoding Service has its own address locator style. Refer to ArcMap: Understanding address locator styles for more information.
• Start the list of addresses from the second row of the address table, as the first row is reserved for the table's header.
• Remove special characters from field names and ensure the correct spelling of addresses is used. Refer to FAQ: What characters should not be used in ArcGIS for field names and table names? for more information.

File formatting

• If geocoding in Map Viewer, the address table must either be a CSV or TXT file. XLSX or XLS files are supported when adding an item to the Content page.

  If an Excel spreadsheet file format is used for geocoding addresses in Map Viewer, the following error is returned:

Error: Unable to import this file. You can only import a zipped shapefile (ZIP), a table (CSV), a GPS Exchange Format (GPX), or a GeoJSON file.

• Larger datasets must be published as a feature set by adding the address table to the Content page rather than the map. Refer to ArcGIS Online: Publish hosted feature layers for more information.

  When a large CSV file or an Excel table with too many addresses is added to the map, the following error is returned:

Error:   
This dataset is too large to add directly to the map. Instead, publish this data as a hosted layer, then add the hosted layer to the map.

ArcGIS Online credits

Note:
Inaccurately matched addresses also consumes credits.