Keep in mind that MapInfo Pro looks for exact matches. If the information in your database does not exactly match the information in the search table, MapInfo Pro ignores that record during an automatic geocoding pass. Lasalle St and La Salle St are not exact matches nor are Main St and Maine St.
If you go through the geocoding process again using the interactive mode, MapInfo Pro will give you a list of close alternatives. Choose the closest match by scrolling through the list with the Up and Down buttons. You can also choose Ignore if the correct alternative is not listed.
MapInfo Pro generates its list of close alternatives alphabetically. For example, if MapInfo Pro cannot find Booker St in its database, it will generate a list of alternatives that are close to Booker St alphabetically (Bookman St, Brooker Ave, Brooks St). However, if the spelling error occurs in the first letter of the address (Booker St should really be Zooker St), you will either have to use the Up and Down keys to scroll to the correct spelling or enter the correct spelling directly.
Correcting Spelling Errors in Street Names
When your target table has an address name spelled differently than the source table, MapInfo Pro cannot make a match. There are three possibilities to consider:
- Geocode interactively
When you are geocoding interactively, MapInfo Pro displays a dialog box that lists close alternatives.
Use the Up and Down keys to scroll through the list and choose a street.
- Edit the target table
When you think there are too many errors in your target table, you can edit the target table before geocoding it. MapInfo Pro's Update Column command is useful for editing tables. However, it is possible that the street is spelled incorrectly in the source table. If so, edit the street name in the source table
Resolving Alternate Street Names, Street Name has Changed
Since a street name may change, your map will reflect the old name and so it will not match addresses which employ the new name. You can edit the map to reflect the name change, but then it will not reflect addresses using the old name. You want to be able to match addresses using both the old and new names.
You can deal with the problem by adding another row to the file of street names, as follows:
- Open the filename.tab file - the street name file of your street map (not the segment file).
- Find the row with the street name you want an alternate for and note its MI_REFNUM value.
- Add a new row with the alternate name AND the same MI_REFNUM as the primary name.
- Save and close the file.
MapInfo Pro will now recognize both names in addresses being geocoded.