How Can I Create a What3Words Map?

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You can create a What3Words map by using GIS software (Geographic Information System).

Table of Contents

What is What3Words?

How do I use What3Words for mapping?

How can I map data that are in What3Words format?

How can I interactively find the What3Words address for a location on the map?

What is What3Words?

What3Words is a system used to identify any location on Earth with a unique combination of 3 words.

It works by dividing the world into 3 meter squares (or about 9′ and 10″) and each square is associated with a combination of 3 words such as “reward.saying.commented”.

This system makes it easy to standardize your addresses and makes it possible to map your locations with a higher level of precision.

For more information on What3Words, please visit the What3Words official website.

How do I use What3Words for mapping?

Maptitude mapping software has direct integration with What3Words, allowing for streamlined mapping and analysis of your data.

First, you will need to sign up for a What3Words account and obtain a What3Words API Key:

  • Log in or sign up for an account at the What3Words account page.
  • Select Create another key.
  • Fill in the details for the API Key and select Generate API key.

Then, you can add this API Key in Maptitude:

  • In Maptitude, go to Tools>Web Services Licenses.
  • Select the Add License button.
  • Choose What3Words from the Web Service Type drop down.
  • Type in a name you want to use for the Key Name and copy and paste the API Key into the Web Service table.
  • Click Save and Close.
What Is What3Words and How Can I Use It for Mapping? Web Services Setup Page.

Now, you are ready to follow the steps below to map your What3Words-formatted data and interactively find What3Words addresses on the map.

How can I map data that are in What3Words format?

You can map a table of What3Words addresses by following the steps below:

  • Open the table of What3Words addresses in Maptitude by going to File>Open and changing the file type drop down to the appropriate file type.
  • Once the table is open in Maptitude, go to Tools>Locate>Locate by Web Service.
  • Make sure that the Address drop down is set to the column of your table that contains the What3Words addresses.
  • Click OK.

Maptitude will locate the What3Words addresses and display them on the map.

What Is What3Words and How Can I Use It for Mapping? Map of What3Words Addresses.

How can I interactively find What3Words addresses on a map?

You will need to setup the Click Coordinate DMS Add-in to interactively find What3Words addresses on a map:

You can interactively click on a map and find the What3Words address there by following the steps below:

  • Click the Click on the map to see the XY for that location button.
  • Click anywhere on the map to see the What3Words address for that location.

You can also type in a What3Words address and mark that location on the map by following the steps below:

  • In the toolbar, type in the 3 word combination for the location.
  • Click the Center the map on the XY, and add a drawing symbol button.
What Is What3Words and How Can I Use It for Mapping? Interactively Find What3Words Addresses on the Map.

For another tutorial on setting up What3Words with Maptitude, please see the What3Words Maptitude Integration Guide.

To use background imagery in your maps (such as Google Maps or Satellite imagery), you can follow the video tutorial on adding imagery layers to your map.

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