Postcode search on forms

Is there a facility for postcode search on the forms, so that people don't have to type their entire address in? I've just been looking at other threads on this issue, but the suggested widgets don't appear to do the trick.

This is a very popular feature on UK forms - in fact nearly every form I come across has it: you simply type your postcode in, and then suggestions are offered for you to choose your house number and street name.

It saves lots of typing from the customer end.

Do you have anything like this for the UK?

There are 2 great widgets for this, but they are using Google Maps API, so as long as it holds the address, the widgets can use it.

These are the widgets:

Autocompleted Address

Geo Complete

Please do test them to see if they would work for you and feel free to let us know if you happen to have any questions along the way.

Thanks Ben.

These look OK but still look US based to me, and nowhere near as easy to use as the postcode lookup we see on forms in the UK. You simply type your postcode - then click on the correct address. That's it!

I'm left wondering how these other UK businesses are doing it.

I had developed something similar for an ice cream company based in London. That was based on AJAX and the database on their server that would check each segment of the town, etc make various customizations based on the postcode that was added by their clients.

This was however custom work. Now I presume that others do a similar job since I was given the database with all the local details that I needed right away, suggesting that someone already collected it.

Now I say this since if they are doing it over the custom coding it means that it is not available through the system such as Google maps API and are most likely limited to the specific region.

The widgets unfortunately are based on it and Google did get most data about the US than for any other location, even so, Google Maps is probably the strongest service offering this data.

The only alternative that I would suggest to check is SmartyStreets widget.

These are not for free so you will need an account with them.

Thanks for taking the time to reply in detail Ben - I appreciate it.

Again though, the widget you've suggested is a US one. I tried their demo but it only suggests US addresses.

Here's a an example form that demonstrates what I'm after. Try typing in my own postcode (WN4 8XR). You'll see it then brings up all the possible house numbers and street names.

http://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode

This kind of set up is very common over here - so how are they doing it? It's so common I find it difficult to believe every example is a custom built system.

Hi there,

Actually, there is an advanced method to validate UK postcodes. To summarize the method, you need to get your source code first and then add some javascript to achieve your task.

You can check the post which is provided by our colleague Welvin from the link below:

http://www.jotform.com/answers/284011-UK-Postcode-Validation#284409

If you need extra information, please let us know.

Thanks.

Thanks for your help Mert.

Unfortunately this is beyond my technical know-how currently! 

I'll wait till there's a simpler solution - it's got to come eventually.

Many thanks. :)

I am not really sure what you are looking for, but you can try using the AUTOCOMPLETED ADDRESS widget. Maybe this will help you.

If this is not what you are looking for, the best we can suggest is use the source code as what my colleagues suggested before.

Thanks Victor - but still not just a postcode search.

In UK forms, all you type is the postcode - nothing else. That then brings up options to click.

I've gone for the geocomplete widget as that seems to be the most similar - at least until someone comes up with something like the example I gave on the Royal Mail website above.

Many thanks to everyone for your input - it's very much appreciated. :)

Hi there,

On behalf of my colleagues, you are most welcome. If anything new happens about this feature, you will be informed from this thread.

Have a great day.