--- title: "About GravityView Maps geocoding" date: 2026-04-23 author: "GravityKit" link: "https://www.gravitykit.com/docs/gravityview-pro/maps-premium-view/setting-up-geocoding-services/" --- "Geocoding" is the process of converting an address to geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). Geocoding can be done manually or automatically, but it always requires an address field present on the form. ### **⚠️ Important: unrestricted API key required** For **geocoding to work**, you’ll need to set an **Unrestricted Google Maps API Key** in your WordPress admin. - Sign up for a [Google Maps API key](https://www.gravitykit.com/docs/gravityview-pro/maps-premium-view/signing-up-for-a-google-maps-api-key/). **Make sure it has no Website restrictions.** IP Address restrictions that use your server's IP are allowed. - Go to: **GravityKit → Settings → GravityView Maps** - There you’ll see the option to enter an **Unrestricted Google Maps API Key**. This key is used only for geocoding and will not be exposed to visitors. Jump to the section: - [Automatic geocoding](#automatic-geocoding-h2siq) - [Support for other geolocation add-ons](#support-for-other-geolocation-add-ons-mhqj5) --- ## Manual geocoding Entries that were not automatically geocoded after the form submission can be manually geocoded later by viewing the entry details in the Entries page of the Gravity Forms menu and clicking on the "Geocode This Address" button right below the address field of the form. This action will send the address field data to Google via an API request, and latitude and longitude will be returned. ![Address entry form showing "Geocode This Address" button for location data conversion](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/file-t9HVWqH0Gw.png) *Clicking the "Geocode This Address" will...!*[Entry showing geocoding for Apple HQ with latitude and longitude coordinates. Options to geocode or view on Google Maps](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/file-3WF2sjeY4k.png)...pull the latitude and longitude data for that address.--- ## Automatic geocoding Entries can be automatically geocoded when one of these two settings is used: **1) By enabling the geolocation autocomplete option in the address field of your form.** The Maps extension has a built-in functionality to autocomplete address fields using Google's Places API. When this option is used, geolocation coordinates (latitude and longitude) are automatically included in the submission as entry meta (non-visible information) that GravityView can use to put a precise pin for that address on a map. This feature can be found and activated under the general section of an address field's settings panel on the sidebar of the form editor. ![Enable GravityView Maps geolocation autocomplete in address field settings](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/file-pRJJTXdTyR.png)**2) By activating the automatic geocoding option in your View Settings.**![Settings interface for enabling automatic geocoding of missing latitude and longitude in entries](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/file-Jx0jzcXYOs.png) ### Editing addresses on the front end When someone edits an entry's address from the front end using Edit Entry, GravityView Maps clears that entry's stored coordinates by design. Those coordinates were calculated from the previous address, so they no longer match what the entry now says, and the entry's map pin is removed until the entry is geocoded again. Editing any other (non-address) field on the entry does not affect the pin; only changing the address clears the coordinates. To bring the pin back without manual work, turn on **Enable automatic geocoding** in the View's settings (the same setting shown above). With it enabled, an entry that is missing coordinates is geocoded the next time the map is displayed on the front end, so the pin should return automatically. This happens when the map next loads, not instantly at save time, and it does not re-geocode from inside the admin or Edit Entry screen. If you would rather set the coordinates yourself, see [How to override geocoding coordinates](https://www.gravitykit.com/article/493-override-geocoding-coordinates). **Note:** During Edit Entry, Gravity Forms fills a blank Country sub-field with the form's default value. Because that counts as a change to the address, it can clear the entry's coordinates even when the person did not intend to change the address. With **Enable automatic geocoding** turned on, the pin should return the next time the map loads. --- ## Support for other geolocation add-ons The Maps extension also supports the geolocation data provided by a similar autocomplete functionality from [Gravity Wiz's Address Autocomplete](https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-forms-address-autocomplete/) and [Gravity Forms' Geolocation Add-On](https://www.gravityforms.com/add-ons/geolocation/). If the View detects that your form is using multiple geolocation sources, a new option will appear under the Maps tab so you can select which Geocoding Source will be used. ![Settings menu for GravityView Maps, showing geocoding source options GravityKit and Gravity Wiz](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/file-BhKozawMzS.png)Once you select one of these add-ons as the default geocoding source, you must save your View. After the View editor page reloads, you'll see this new message on top suggesting you migrate the geocoding data to the new source used. ![GravityView interface showing options for geocoding data sources and embedding shortcodes](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/file-hJd0aT60Zm.png)