Reverse geocode

Learn how to find an address near a location with the ArcGIS Geocoding service.

Prerequisites

Steps

Create a new app

1. Open a terminal and create a new folder for your project.

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   mkdir reverse-geocode
   cd reverse-geocode

2. Initialize a new Node.js project. This creates a package.json file.

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   npm init

3. Install the required packages.

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   npm install @esri/arcgis-rest-request @esri/arcgis-rest-geocoding --save

4. Create a new JavaScript file named index.js.

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   touch index.js

Get an access token

Create a new API key credential with the correct privileges to get an access token.

1. Go to the Create an API key tutorial and create an API key with the following privilege(s):
   
   • Privileges:
     • Location services > Geocoding
2. Copy the API key access token to your clipboard when prompted.

Make a request

1. Open your index.js file and import the packages.

   index.js

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   import { ApiKeyManager } from "@esri/arcgis-rest-request";
   import { reverseGeocode } from "@esri/arcgis-rest-geocoding";
   
   

2. Paste in your access token.

   index.js

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   import { ApiKeyManager } from "@esri/arcgis-rest-request";
   import { reverseGeocode } from "@esri/arcgis-rest-geocoding";
   
   const accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
   const authentication = ApiKeyManager.fromKey(accessToken);
   
   

3. Make a request to the ArcGIS Geocoding service and print the results.

   index.js

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   import { ApiKeyManager } from "@esri/arcgis-rest-request";
   import { reverseGeocode } from "@esri/arcgis-rest-geocoding";
   
   const accessToken = "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN";
   const authentication = ApiKeyManager.fromKey(accessToken);
   
   reverseGeocode({
     location: [-79.3871, 43.6426], // [lon, lat]
     authentication
   }).then((response) => {
     console.log(JSON.stringify(response, null, 2));
   });

4. Save the file, then run it from the terminal.

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   node index.js

You should now see the results printed in your console.

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{
  "address": {
    "Match_addr": "CN Tower",
    "LongLabel": "CN Tower, 301 Front St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V, CAN",
    "ShortLabel": "CN Tower",
    "Addr_type": "POI",
    "Type": "Tourist Attraction",
    "PlaceName": "CN Tower",
    "AddNum": "301",
    "Address": "301 Front St W",
    "Block": "",
    "Sector": "",
    "Neighborhood": "Waterfront Communities-the Island",
    "District": "Toronto",
    "City": "Toronto",

What's next?

Learn how to use additional location services in these tutorials: