Using Spatial Data with SAS/GIS Software

Overview

Geocoding is the process of adding location information to an existing data set that contains address data. Location information is the X and Y coordinate data for the street addresses on the map. The geocoding facility in SAS/GIS software attempts to match each address in a SAS address data set to a location on the map. If a match is found, the X and Y coordinates of the address are added to the address data set. Other spatial information about the matched location can also be added to the address data set.

SAS/GIS software provides an interactive interface for geocoding in the GIS Geocoding window. The window is convenient for geocoding individual address data sets. However, if you have a large number of data sets or a data set with a large number of observations that you want to geocode, you may find the batch geocoding facility to be more convenient. Beginning with Release 6.12 of the SAS System, the batch geocoding facility in SAS/GIS allows data to be geocoded without invoking SAS/GIS, without user intervention, and with improved performance. For example, you can set up a program to run overnight to geocode address data sets without user interaction.

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