Introduction

AFD Postcode® provides a simple way to speed up the entry of address information into any Windows or DOS program.

The Occupancy field provided with Postcode gives you an indication of if a particular postcode contains residential properties, organisations, or a mixture of both. The Advanced Type field provides you an indication of the property types found on that Postcode (e.g. numbered, named etc.)

The optional Plotter facility can return a UK grid reference for the postcode and the Windows version has the facility to show the location of the address on a 1:200,000 scale map which includes facilities to move around the map, measure distances, zoom in and out, as well as the ability to transfer the map image which is being displayed to other applications. Plotter also provides a nearest locator facility.

If you don’t know a postcode, AFD Postcode can still help by looking up an address from the Street and Post Town, County, or STD Code – even if you’re not sure of the spelling.

AFD Software provides many ways to incorporate its powerful fast addressing features with other programs. In DOS there is a ‘TSR’ program which can pop-up over other applications and ‘squirt’ addresses in, as if typed, or you may use one of our examples to help you to program the features into your application. In Windows, the stand-alone AFD Postcode program can be used for simple look-ups, or to squirt data into other programs. It can also provide Dynamic Data Exchange for other programs, or you can use our powerful Dynamic Link Library if your application has a suitable programming language. By using the special DDE ‘Iconised’ mode, Postcode can behave like a button on a toolbar – delivering address data quickly to your application.

AFD Postcode also includes ROBOT® technology which allows integration of Postcode into other applications with no programming required and we don’t even need to recognise your application! Simply type the postcode and AFD Postcode does the rest and brings back the full address with or without prompting!

Installation

Download one of our evaluation installers below:

    Postcode Eval                           Plotter Eval

Postcode is installed automatically by the installation program and all files are placed in the correct folders. Some information from your License Certificate will be required during installation, so you are advised to have this to hand:

Place the AFD Compact Disc in your drive then:

From the Task Bar, select Start – Run, then type d:\POSTCODE and click OK

… where ‘d:’ is the drive letter of your CD-Rom drive – usually D:

Follow the instructions and provide the information requested by the installation program.

The installation will create menu entries for Postcode. These will include entries or icons for Postcode, the Welcome program, and for various help and information documents.

The evaluation version of the program contains a restricted set of data, covering about a quarter of Birmingham postcodes only. You will find the two postcodes “B6 4AA” and “B11 1AA” especially useful as they appear in all versions of AFD Postcode and Postcode Plus. B6 4AA shows a large-user (single address) postcode with Street data but no Locality, B11 1AA has multiple addresses and both Street and Locality.

Registration

On new installations, Postcode will operate in a special mode, giving full access to data, for about two weeks. To register and fully activate your copy of the program, run the Postcode ‘Welcome’ program.

The evaluation version of the program contains only a limited set of data, and does not require registration.

A copy of the ‘AFD Welcome’ program is supplied to simplify the process of Registration and activation of your program license. To register your copy of Postcode, you will also need the information printed on the ‘License Certificate’ supplied with your program.

To register, run the ‘AFD Welcome’ program:

From the Task Bar select Start – Programs – AFD Postcode – Welcome

Select your required registration method and follow the instructions on screen to activate your software.

You can also register via a WWW browser on another computer by visiting:

http://www.afd.co.uk/registrations/

and simply transfer the information to/from this machine.

If you need personal assistance with the registration process, you may call our HelpDesk on 0333 433 0712, Monday – Friday 08:30 – 17:30 (except holidays).

De-Registration

If you require to move your AFD Postcode Licence from one machine to another or if you will be upgrading a machine and will be replacing your hard drive, you should first de-register the license from that machine and transfer it back to our server. At which point you will be able to register AFD Postcode on that other machine instead, and so transfer your license.

To do this, run the Welcome program (as described in the Registration section) and click the ‘De-Activate’ button to transfer the license back. You can then register it on the new machine as described in the Registration section.

Please note that in the case of wiping a hard disk drive you must de-register before you erase your registration information by wiping that hard disk drive.

If you have problems de-registering, or do not have Internet Access then please follow our manual procedure by submitting a Re-registration form.

Technical Support

Making sure that our customers get the best from our products is important to us – so long as you have a current licensed copy of a Postcode product, we’re here to help:

World Wide Web

This major resource provides 24 hour, direct access to all AFD’s technical resources. If you have a question, need program examples or require a skilled Postcode dealer to help with your system, start by visiting our web site at: www.afd.co.uk or email your request to support@afd.co.uk.

HelpDesk

If you don’t yet have Internet access, our HelpDesk on 0333 433 0712 will help ensure that your copy of the program is installed and functioning correctly. The HelpDesk is manned Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm (except holidays). Ensure that you are next to your computer, which is switched on prior to calling.

These services provide free, unlimited support about all aspects of using the postcode product range. Whilst we will endeavour to help with general advice, we cannot assist with questions or problems that are not related to your use of an AFD Product – nor can we resolve hardware or network errors. You should refer these questions to your System Manager.

Data & Data Updates

Address data is constantly changing as a result of property redevelopment, business moves and the increasing trend towards the automation of mail delivery. To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from your investment in AFD Postcode programs, you should ensure that the data you are using is as up-to-date as possible.

AFD have invested in state-of-the-art technology to provide you with the best possible address data within our programs. Taking raw data direct from our suppliers tapes and converting it ready for release to our customers in just three days, means that AFD Data is often weeks and sometimes months more up-to-date than data from other sources.

Four data updates are issued each year – usually in January, April, July and October – subject to raw data delivery.

Make sure that you place your order so that each optional data update is sent to you as soon as it is prepared – or join the POP scheme so that all costs of Data Licenses, Program and Data Updates are covered in one modest standing order payment and shipped automatically when available.

Overview

General Overview

Postcode is a very powerful address lookup system, and there are many different ways to harness it. Typically, Postcode can help in the following ways:

Rapid Address Entry

  • By entering property information and a postcode, Postcode can complete a full address – saving over 80% of keystrokes. With Robot technology you can do this automatically from right within your application.
  • Address Lookup & Verification Many addresses and STD codes can be found using a single, simple entry box – and Postcode will work out what you are requesting and suggest a list of possible addresses. This means that tiny fragments of information can be converted into postcode level addresses with the minimum of effort. Note that, since AFD Postcode contains no building names or numbers, it cannot be used for verifying addresses – if you need to do this, or if you need to find missing postcodes, choose AFD Postcode Plus.
  • Label Printing Postcode enables you to print individual mailing labels and envelopes: simply add a name and the property information to the address provided by Postcode.
  • Map Feature (Plotter version only) The Map feature provides grid references for the postcode. This can help in geographical information systems – and Plotter also allows you to plot postcodes on a simple map to see their relative positions and to calculate approximate linear distances between locations.
  • Nearest Feature (Plotter version only) Plotter has an inbuilt “Nearest” feature allowing you to create and maintain lists of branch offices, regional centres or contacts, then quickly determine which contact point is nearest the postcode you enter.

Starting the Program

From the Task Bar, select Start – Programs – AFD Postcode – Postcode

Postcode will display an information splash screen, then the Postcode Main Window will be loaded. If you have used any Command Line Options (see below), these may have customised the way in which Postcode will load.

Main Window

Most Postcode operations take place from the Main Window, and the method of operating the program will be familiar to Windows users, as the controls conform to Windows standards.

The Main Window consists of the following parts:

Use the menu to store and retrieve settings, print labels, change editing and viewing options, insert addresses into other programs, use advanced features of the Map or Nearest Facility (available to Plotter users only) – or use the on-line Help system.

Find Box & Lookup

Most rapid address entry or address lookups can be carried out from this single box – simply enter your request and click the Lookup Button.

Tabs

Five Tabs allow you to enter more complex search requests, view address data, print labels, view grid references and a map or use the Nearest feature.

Results List

Address lookup and search results are displayed in list format. Click on any record to see more detailed information.

Find Box & Lookup

Postcode Lookups

At the ‘Find’ box you may enter a simple lookup request – yet powerful search facilities are also available to you – so most address lookups can be done here.

Enter your lookup request, then click the Lookup button – use the shortcut key [Alt]+L – or simply press [Enter]. If your lookup request includes a postcode this is detected, and AFD Postcode will automatically carry out a lookup for you without the need to click Lookup.

Note that only the Lookup Button can be used with the Find Box – the Search Button is used with other searches on the Search Tab (see below).

Using the Find Box & Lookup

Please note: AFD Postcode does not contain organisation or property information but allows you to provide this information for any address which you lookup. If you need to verify addresses or find missing postcodes, choose AFD Postcode Plus.

For the fastest results, with minimum typing, enter some information – such as building name or number followed by a postcode. AFD Postcode will then return your property information along with the matching postcode level street, locality, town and county information.

Entering a postcode such as:

  • B6 4AA Returns a postcode level address
  • 282,B11 1AA Returns a postcode level address complete with the house number of 282 you specified
  • AFD Software Ltd, IM7 2DZ Returns a postcode level address complete with the name of ‘AFD Software Ltd’ as you specified in the Organisation field.

Clicking on the down arrow to the right of the Lookup box allows you to select any of your last 25 Lookups. After selecting one make any modifications necessary, and then click on the Lookup button.

Other Lookups

Where you are not sure of the postcode, Postcode can easily find addresses from other delivery information – the street and town, and most STD codes. See the Search tab for details on more complex searching.

Valid entries are:

EntryExample
Postcode onlyB76 8LT
STD Code0121
Street, STD CodeGosta Green,0121
Terrace Road, 0121
Street, TownBarford Street, Birmingham
Dorset Road,Birmingham

Click the Lookup Button or press the [Enter] key and Postcode will look up the request you’ve entered.

Please note that Postcode returns a maximum of 300 records from a single lookup. If 300 records are returned you will need to refine your lookup.

Lookup Directives

Postcode also provides a set of lookup directives so that you can force a lookup to look for data in fields you specify rather than the defaults to allow quick searching straight from the lookup box.

In the first half of the text typed into the lookup box (before the comma) the following directives can be used:

DirectiveExamplePurpose
O=O=Royal BankForces text typed to be returned in the Organisation field – otherwise Postcode guesses if it is an organisation or a property for postcode lookups and assumes it’s a street for other lookups.
P=P=High StreetForces text typed to be returned in the Property field – otherwise Postcode guesses if it is an organisation or a property for postcode lookups and assumes it’s a street for other lookups.
S=S=Barford StreetForces lookup as a Street Address – the default for non-Postcode searches, but required if you want to search with a street and a postcode.

In the second half of the text typed into the lookup box (after the comma) the following directives can be used:

DirectiveExamplePurpose
T=T=BIRMINGHAMForces text typed to be looked up in the town field (default when postcode/STD Code not typed).
C=C=WARWICKSHIREForces text typed to be looked up in the county field rather than the town field.
S=S=0121Forces an STD Code (default when detected as such)
P=P=B6 4AAForces a Postcode (default when detected as such)

Examples List Window

The above examples, along with several others, are available from a special Examples List window, which displays when Postcode is first run – or is available from the View menu (or by pressing [Ctrl]+X). To try out any example in the list, simply double-click it.

The examples help illustrate the types of lookups available in Postcode – including most of the examples quoted in this section of the manual

Skipping

The Edit menu offers a ‘Skip to Next Outcode’ option. This suppresses the display of more than one record within each outcode and town and can dramatically reduce the number of records to be examined in some types of Lookup or Search.

NOTE: An ‘Outcode’ is defined by the part of the postcode before the space, eg ‘B6’ is the outcode of ‘B6 4AA’

Drag and Drop

You can drag text from other Windows programs – like Microsoft Word – and drop it onto the Find Box. Postcode will automatically Lookup the text you dropped – which can be in any of the formats supported by the Find Box.

Results

Using the Results List

When Postcode finds results for your lookup or search, it places them in the Results List at the bottom of the Main Window. Simply click an entry in the Results List to see full details of the record.

Please note: Grid References are only displayed if you have purchased AFD Postcode Plotter, which includes Grid Reference data.

Auto Insert / DDE

Double-Clicking a result in the Results List can automatically Insert an address or (if View Icon for DDE is check-marked) pass the address through DDE to another program.

Please note: In order for Auto-Insert to operate, it will be necessary for the first Insert to have been carried out from the Insert menu so that the target program for other Insert actions is established.

To cancel a Lookup, Search or the display of a Lookup List (see below), simply click the Cancel button or press the [Esc] key. Note that Postcode can only respond to a cancel instruction once the initialisation of the Lookup or Search action is completed – this may take a few seconds.

Search Tab

Using the Search Tab

Although Postcode can find most addresses using the Find Box and Lookup button, there are times when a more complex search is required – or where you wish to search on other fields. These are available on the Search Tab (shortcut key [Alt]+1).

Since AFD Postcode does not contain Organisation or Property data, these two fields are not available for use on the Search Tab

You can search using a town, county, STD Code, and/or partial postcode (you must include the space if searching more than just the outcode) along with optionally street and locality. (You cannot search on a street or locality on their own – choose AFD Postcode Plus if you wish to do that). But beware! Most problems in finding addresses result from giving TOO MUCH information rather than too little. Generally you should only need two parameters: town, county, STD Code, or partial postcode and street. You should also note that searching including the town is much faster than any other types of search, so always search on street and town when they are both known. Postcode returns a maximum of 300 records from a single search. If 300 records are returned you will need to refine your search. Note that Postcode Plus provides faster and more flexible searching.

When you have entered your Search request, click the Search Button or use the shortcut key [Alt]+S.

Please note: The Lookup Button and the shortcut key [Alt]+L will only work with the Find Box and cannot be used with Searches from the Search Tab.

Shortcuts

Clear All ([Alt]+C) Click the Clear button at the base of the Main Window to clear all Search Fields, and any results – use Field-Clear (below) to clear just one or two fields.

Field-Clear To clear any individual field on the Search Tab, click the descriptive label to its left – e.g. to clear the ‘Street’ field, click the letters of the word ‘Street’.

Sounds Like

If you place a dollar sign ($) before a street, locality, town, or county that you are searching on AFD Postcode will do a ‘sounds like’ search, useful when you don’t know the exact spelling.

Pattern Matching

AFD Postcode also works with a set of special pattern matching characters to provide more enhanced searching facilities. These are as follows:

CharacterDescriptionExamples
*Any number of characters*ford would match anything ending in ford
way would match anything containing way
b*ford would match anything beginning with the letter b and ending with ford
?Any characterO?zells would match anything starting with O?zells where ? could be any character.
#Any digit01#1 would match any STD code that begun with 01, ends with 1 and has only one single digit between the two, e.g. 0121
^Don’t include anything starting with this^ in a field would indicate that field must be blank in any addresses that are returned, typing London^ in the town field would only return addresses in London and not those in Londonderry.

Drag & Drop

To move text from one field to another – without re-typing it – hold down one of the [Shift] keys (usually marked with a hollow arrow pointing upwards). Then click and hold down the left mouse button on the field you wish to move (drag) text FROM – the cursor will turn into the shape of a hand with a pencil – now move to the field you wish to place the text in (keeping the mouse button down). Finally, release the mouse button to drop the text in the new field.

You can drag text from other Windows programs – like Microsoft Word – and drop it into the fields on the Search Tab.

Skipping

The Edit menu offers a ‘Skip to Next Outcode’ option. This suppresses the display of more than one record within each Outcode with the same town and can dramatically reduce the number of records to be examined in some types of Lookup or Search.

Note: An ‘Outcode’ is defined by the part of the postcode before the space, e.g. ‘B1’ is the outcode of ‘B1 1AA’.

Results Tab

Using the Results Tab

This tab is used to display the key parts of an address record found by Postcode. It can be selected by clicking the tab – or use the [Alt]+2 keyboard shortcut.

Although AFD Postcode does not contain Organisation or Property data, fields are provided so that you may type these parts of addresses in manually if you wish – before inserting an address into other applications.

Use the Edit menu “Editable Results” option if you wish to be able to change the other address data on the Results Tab before inserting it into other applications. This menu setting is stored with the current settings file. If “Editable Results” is not checked, you cannot type into the Results Tab and any attempt to do so will cause Postcode to switch to the Search Tab ready for you to type a Search Request.

The county field displayed can be altered using the options on the Edit Menu. See Appendix F for more information regarding county options.

Customising Fields Displayed

The fields containing non-address information (STD Code, Grid East and North, Mailsort and Latitude and Longitude) above can be customized to display any fields from the More Tab that you may wish to display. This allows you to easily view the information that you are interested in alongside the address. Simple click the down arrow to the right of the field name and you will be given a list of fields to choose from. For full details of each field, refer to the More Tab documentation.

Shortcuts

Field-Transfer To transfer any address field from the Results Tab to the equivalent field on the Search Tab, simply, click the descriptive label to its left – eg to transfer a ‘Street’ , click the letters of the word ‘Street’.

Drag & Drop

You can drag text from the individual fields of the Results Tab and drop it into other Windows programs – like Microsoft Word.

Hold down one of the [Shift] keys (usually marked with a hollow arrow pointing upwards). Then click and hold down the left mouse button on the field you wish to move (drag) text FROM – the cursor will turn into a dragging icon. Now move to the program you wish to place the text in (keeping the mouse button down). Finally, release the mouse button to drop the text in the new field.

More Tab

Using the More Tab

This tab is used to display the additional information provided by Postcode. It can be selected by clicking the tab – or use the [Alt]+3 keyboard shortcut.

These fields contain the following data:

FieldMeaning
Mailsort CodeThe code is assigned by Royal Mail and used to sort mail for discounts.
Postcode TypeIndicates if this is a large or small user postcode. A large user postcode always contains a single organisation, a small user postcode is normally shared between a number of organisations and/or residential properties.
Grid East and NorthA grid reference relating to the location of the postcode on the National Grid, or the Irish Grid for postcodes in Northern Ireland (starting BT). Please refer to Appendix C for more information regarding Grid References in Postcode.
STD CodeAn indication of the STD Code for the location that this postcode is in. Please note that STD Code boundaries do not follow address areas exactly and often multiple codes are found in the same area. Hence this is only an indication of the possible STD Code.
Latitude and LongitudeThe corresponding latitude and longitude values for the given Grid Easting and Northing for this postcode. These are based on the WGS84 standard.
Occupancy

This gives an indication of the type of occupants of properties found on the selected postcode. The possible values for this are as follows:

  • Large User Organisation (Single Organisation on this postcode)
  • Small User Organisation (All the properties on this postcode are likely to be businesses)
  • Mostly Organisations (Most of the properties on this postcode are organisations)
  • Mixed (This postcode contains a mixture of business and residential addresses)
  • Mostly Residential (Most of the properties on this postcode are residential)
  • Residential (All the properties on this postcode are likely to be residential).
Address Type

This gives an indication of the type of property level data you will need to capture to have the full address for properties on the selected postcode. The possible values for this are as follows:

  • Numbered (Only a property number needs to be captured)
  • Numbered and Named (This postcode contains a mixture of properties needing a property number and those needing a property name (including properties such as 16b)
  • Numbered and Named, Likelihood of Multiple Occupancy (This postcode contains a mixture of properties needing a property number and those needing a property name. Some of the properties on this postcode are likely to contain multiple occupants, e.g. flats).
  • Named (This postcode only contains properties needing a property name).
  • Non-Standard Address Format (This refers to addresses which do not have a street field at all, or have multiple street names on the same postcode. This also includes addresses with numbered localities (no street but a house number which goes in with the locality field). It is in-effect a warning to be careful in capturing the property information as it is not in one of the most common address formats).
  • PO Box (This postcode has a PO Box number)
  • No Property Information (Addresses on this postcode have no property information – i.e. capture an Organisation or Resident name only)

Please refer to Appendix K for more information regarding the Occupancy and Address Type indicators in Postcode.

Drag & Drop

You can drag text from the individual fields of the More Tab and drop it into other Windows programs – like Microsoft Word.

Hold down one of the [Shift] keys (usually marked with a hollow arrow pointing upwards). Then click and hold down the left mouse button on the field you wish to move (drag) text FROM – the cursor will turn into a dragging icon. Now move to the program you wish to place the text in (keeping the mouse button down). Finally, release the mouse button to drop the text in the new field.

Label Tab

Using the Label Tab

The Label Tab (shortcut [Alt]+4) is used to display the selected address record in the form of an address label – ready to print with a barcode if you wish.

Please note: As Postcode does not include property or Delivery Point Suffix (DPS) level data, the barcode contains the postcode only with a default DPS of ‘9Z’.

Any organisation or property information added to the Results Tab will automatically be added to your label and you may even customise or add details to the label itself before printing. The box above the label address is used for adding an addressee name. You can drag the address and/or barcode to other Windows programs from this Tab.

Examples of label layouts are provided – use the drop-down combo box to choose a suitable format. You may adjust these, then use the Save button to store your changes – or add your own.

To create a new label layout, simply type a new name in the combo box, and then click the Save button. Tuning the label print to your own printer and labels or envelopes may require a bit of trial-and-error and you may need to adjust the Bar Weight to suit your own printer. Typically, a 600 DPI Laser printer will require a Bar Weight of 9, whilst the Smart Label printer requires a bar weight of 3.

Please note: The Label Tab is designed for printing individual labels or envelopes – it is not designed for multiple label printing for large selections of addresses. If you have a need for multiple label printing across many addresses, choose AFD Listmaker or AFD Names & Numbers.

Drag & Drop

The Label Tab is also used to provide a quick way of dragging addresses and barcodes to other Windows programs – like Microsoft Word.

To drag a barcode or address, simply hold down a [Shift] key, then click and hold down the LEFT mouse button on either the barcode or the address box of the Label Tab. A ‘dragging’ mouse cursor will appear. Keep the mouse button down whilst dragging onto the target program (like Word), then release the mouse button to drop a copy of the barcode or address into that program.

Please note: The barcode is a graphical image and you should ensure that your target program is able to receive and use graphical data, before dragging it there. The Royal Mail barcode is subject to a fairly strict specification of size and layout, but has been tested with Microsoft Word and a suitable printer. You should ensure that your target program and printer is set up to print the barcode to this specification.

Map Tab

Using the Map Tab – Plotter Only

The Map Tab (keyboard shortcut [Alt]+5) is used to display the approximate location of an address record on a 1:200,000 scale map for British, Channel Isles and Isle of Man addresses and a 1:500,000 scale map for Northern Irish addresses.

A postcode can be displayed on the on-screen map by clicking on the entry in the Results List underneath the Map Tab. The map will move with the location of that address at it’s centre.

Options are available from the ‘Map’ menu which is also accessible by right clicking on the map image.

Detaching The Map

Selecting ‘Detach’ from the ‘Map’ menu will open the Map in a separate resizable window, allowing a larger area of the map to be displayed at any one time (the UK outline map will be displayed on the Map tab). Selecting ‘Detach’ again will reattach it to the main window. All the functions available for the map on the main form also apply to the map when displayed in a detached window.

Moving Around The Map

Simply holding down the left mouse button over the map image while dragging the mouse around, allows you to move around the map, the address selected will continue to be marked on the map itself, while it is visible. (Providing ‘Move or Crop’ is selected from the Map menu). You can only move around the map when you are viewing it full size (1:1).

Viewing Nearest Locations

Nearest locations from your Nearest database (see the Nearest tab) are displayed on the map as blue square boxes with a cross head through them. Moving your mouse over one of those locations will display a tool tip next to it showing it’s name. If you prefer not to see these locations displayed then deselect the ‘Display Nearest Locations’ option from the Map menu. Nearest distances are the linear distance between the two points so viewing the Nearest locations on the Map can help spot if the second nearest location might actually be quicker to get to when driving.

Finding Distances

By default the Distance displayed underneath the map image on the Map tab is the distance from the point over which the mouse is placed to the selected address. To find the distance from any points visible on the map, or to draw out a series of lines to find a non-straight line distance to a location (e.g. following roads etc.) select the ‘Distance Measuring Line’ from the Map menu.

With this simply click the point at which you want the line to start and then click each subsequent point to measure out the distance. The accumulating distance is displayed below the Map image. To finish drawing a line un-check the ‘Distance Measuring Line’ option from the Map menu or use the shortcut [Atl]+M. (Selecting it again will start a new line). Double-click on the Map to clear the line.

To return to the original mode in which you can move around the map, simply re-select ‘Move or Crop’ from the Map menu.

Zooming

If you wish to view more detail on the map at one time, at the expense of seeing the detail you can select different view levels from the ‘Map’ menu. Zoom Levels 1:1 through to 1:5 are available. When the Map is not at it’s full size (1:1), the move function is not available due to the additional processing overheads needed to process the larger quantity of data.

Transferring Map Images To Other Applications

Three methods are supplied for getting the Map images into other applications:

OLE Drag & Drop Simply hold down shift and the left mouse button and drag the map to any OLE Drag & Drop (bitmap image) supporting application such as Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro etc. The image is transferred as is displayed, so if you want the map zoomed out/in you can do this before transferring it and you can determine it’s size by detaching the window and resizing it as desired.

Windows Clipboard Select ‘Copy Map Image’ from the ‘Map’ menu to copy the currently displayed Map image to the clipboard ready to paste into any other Windows clipboard supporting (bitmap format). As with OLE Drag & Drop the image is transferred as it is displayed.

Developers Access Programmers can get the data for Map images for a specified Grid Reference directly into their applications by using the AFD Utility DLL. See the API documentation for more details.

Please Note: You are licensed to use maps for each license of an AFD product you have on the desktop. You may not transfer map images to any third party or use them on the Internet. To gain licenses / access to data for other uses please contact Bartholomew directly on 01242 258 134 and mention AFD.

Printing Maps

You can print maps to any printer setup in Windows using AFD Postcode Plotter. Maps are printed in a standard format consisting of the address selected, a local map and a larger zoomed out map of the surrounding area. They are printed formatted for printing on A4 size paper in Portrait using the label settings from the Label tab. For more advanced printing use the methods above to transfer the image to another application for printing.

Getting An Overview Of A Place’s Position In The British Isles

If you wish to see the location of a place on a miniature map of the British Isles, simply turn the detailed map off (Uncheck ‘Detailed Map’ from the ‘Map’ menu).

You can measure approximate distances using this map by using the distance line tool on this map.

Grid References

No Grid References are available for postcodes in the Isle of Man (IM), Jersey (JE), or Guernsey (GY). Some other postcodes, such as PO Boxes, also do not have grid references available for them.

To allow these addresses to be shown on the Map, where no grid reference is available, Postcode will use the grid reference for the centre of the locality or town that the address is in to allow it’s approximate position to be shown on the Map. These approximate values can also be used from Insert if selected from the Grid Reference options in Properties from the File menu. They are also accessible through the Utility DLL for developers.

See also the Appendix on Grid References.

Nearest Tab

Using the Nearest Tab – Plotter Only

The Nearest Tab (keyboard shortcut [Alt]+6) allows you to create and maintain lists, for example, of branch offices, regional centres or outlets and then quickly determine which contact point is nearest the postcode you enter into the main window.

The Nearest facility uses the Grid References supplied as part of Postcode Plotter data, to calculate the approximate linear distances between postcodes.

Please note: These distances are ‘As the Crow Flies’, and will not be accurate travel distances. Most major expanses of water, mountain ranges, and other obstacles are taken account of to help ensure that the closest address is shown first. However, in some cases because of local road layouts or geography the ‘Nearest’ address may not be the easiest or most practical to reach – so others further down the ranked list may be more appropriate.

To use Nearest you must first either create a New Database or Select an existing one – see below.

New Database

If you wish to create a new database to start building a nearest list from scratch then select the Nearest menu and then ‘New Database’. This will prompt you to choose a path and filename for your nearest database and create a new Microsoft Access database ready for adding records.

Opening an Existing Database

Access, Paradox, dBASE and FoxPro Tables

If you wish to use a non-ODBC database that you created before or one built up using another program choose ‘Open Database’ from the ‘Nearest’ menu. This will prompt you to select the database that you wish to use.

For Access databases you will also be prompted to select the table you wish to use if more than one exists in your chosen database file.

Nearest will use the following fields if they exist in the selected database table:

  • * Postcode
  • DPS
  • Title
  • Organisation
  • Property
  • Street
  • Locality
  • Town
  • County
  • Km
  • Miles
  • Filter
  • Notes
  • * GridE
  • * GridN
  • Surname
  • Firstname
  • Initial
  • Phone
  • Fax
  • Email
  • WWW

*must exist in the table and must contain a value.

All fields must be of type ‘Text’ or equivalent.

For System Managers who have special requirements in linking or customising existing databases with the Postcode Nearest facility, our Help Desk will be pleased to provide further information.

ODBC Tables

If you wish to open a connection to an ODBC data source to which you have set up a Data Source Name (DSN) choose ‘Open ODBC Connection’ from the Nearest menu. You will be prompted to enter the DSN, authentication details (if required), and the SQL Query String to connect to the table.

Fields will be used in the same way as described in the above section.

Adding Records

To add records to the Nearest table simply use the Search tab to search for the records you require. Select those you wish to add to the Nearest database and then select ‘Add Records’ from the ‘Nearest’ menu to add them (or use the shortcut key [Ctrl] + A). Alternatively, if you wish to add all the records in the results list to the nearest database use the ‘Add All Records’ menu item.

Finding the ‘Nearest’

To find the nearest record to a postcode, enter the postcode in the ‘Lookup’ box and press the ENTER key. Results will be ranked in order of distance away from your postcode. The ‘Display Miles’ and ‘Display Kilometers’ options in the ‘Nearest’ menu can be used to determine the units used for the distance displayed in the results.

Updating Records

To update a record in the Nearest database, simply select the record from the list under the Nearest tab and then type into the fields on the tab itself. Once you are happy with your changes select ‘Save Record’ from the ‘Nearest’ menu ([Ctrl]+ S) to save your changes to the database.

System Managers may disable the update facilities.

Deleting Records

If you wish to remove records from the Nearest database, simply select the records you wish to delete from the list under the Nearest tab and then select ‘Delete Selected Records’ ([Ctrl]+K) from the ‘Nearest’ menu.

System Managers may disable the delete facility.

Filtering Records

The Filter field of a database, if present, allows you to assign a value to each record for grouping. By selecting the ‘Filter’ option from the ‘Nearest’ menu ([CTRL]+F) you can enter a pattern to apply to the filter field to display only records matching that Filter.

For example, in a database of supermarkets with a filter field containing values such as “Groceries, Petrol, Clothing” a Filter field of “Petrol” will return only those stores which include a Petrol Station.

Advanced users may use various wildcard characters, character lists, and character ranges to test only part of the filter:

CodeAction
{None}All Nearest Records
?Any Character
*Zero or more characters
#Any single digit (0-9)
[charlist]Any single character in charlist
[!charlist]Any single character not in charlist

Looking up Grid References

If you are using an external database and have imported records without Grid References, or have some incorrect Grid References they will need to be populated from the Postcode Plotter data. To do this select the records in the nearest list that require Grid References and select ‘Lookup Grid References’ from the ‘Nearest’ menu. You will be prompted for action if an existing Grid Reference is found for any of the records.

Making Labels from Nearest Records

To use the Label feature with a Nearest Record, simply select the Nearest record you would like a label for and then select ‘Transfer To Label Tab’ from the ‘Nearest’ menu, to transfer the record to the Label Tab.

Showing the Position of a Nearest Record

To use the Map feature to view the position of a Nearest Record, simply select the Nearest record you would like to view on the map and then select ‘Transfer To Map Tab’ from the ‘Nearest’ menu, to transfer the record to the Map tab.

Viewing Distances to One Decimal Place.

If you have several outlets in close proximity and need to be able to distinguish between them you can select to have Nearest distances displayed down to an accuracy of one decimal place. This can be done by selecting the ‘Show Decimal Place’ option from the Nearest menu.

Importing and Exporting Records

Records can be imported from or exported to comma delimited text files.

To use this facility, simply select the ‘Import Records’ or ‘Export Records’ on the ‘Nearest’ menu -you will be prompted for a filename in both cases. The ‘Export’ option only exports the selected records. ‘Import’ imports all records in the supplied file.

Please note: whether the files have been imported or exported they must have all the fields below in the order they appear below:

  • ** Postcode
  • DPS
  • ** Title
  • Organisation
  • Property
  • Street
  • Locality
  • Town
  • County
  • Km
  • Miles
  • Filter
  • Notes
  • GridE
  • GridN
  • Surname
  • Firstname
  • Initial
  • Phone
  • Fax
  • Email
  • WWW

** must contain a value.

Censation Tab

Using the Censation Tab

This tab is used to display the Censation® data. It can be selected by clicking the tab – or use the [Alt]+7 keyboard shortcut. The Censation Tab

Build Your Business With Censation®

How can you gain new insights about your customers and prospects to help you focus on those most likely to build your business?

How can you find patterns of success and repeat them? How can you reduce marketing to people who are unlikely to buy?

Censation® will help you answer these questions… and many more.

What is Censation?

Censation® is a geodemographic classification system that assigns one of 52 group codes to most UK postcode. The code system uses the latest Census data, which is the most complete and comprehensive survey of the UK population. The code system is built from careful analysis of over 600 variables. These include information about where people live, how affluent or deprived they are and what ‘life stage’ they are in. It also includes data about housing, employment and education. All this data is analysed together with residential and commercial data and validated further using a leading life-style dataset.

Further ‘unclassified’ codes are allocated to postcodes for which census data is unavailable. These mainly describe the make up of commercial areas.

The Censation geodemographic system is built to reflect the reality in the underlying census and residential data and seeks to minimise assumptions about that data. This means that it can be used across a broad range of organisations (public, charity, commercial) and with lower quantities of data.

It is important to understand that a Censation group code simply highlights the fact that when compared with the rest of the UK, people living within a particular postcode are more likely to have the characteristics described by the Censation group code. The key to using this information sensibly is to start a sentence which says “If I were looking for people with X characteristics I would be more likely to find them within the postcodes which have been assigned Y Censation Code.”

A postcode with a Censation code AW01 (Wealthy, Young Families) may well contain some households who are not wealthy, young families – however, the code signifies that if you are looking for wealthy, young families you are more likely to find them here than elsewhere.

A glossary explaining important terms is provided in Appendix J.

Reliability

Censation is built for AFD by leading UK marketing statistics company Data Talk using world-class statistical techniques. Insights from the use of Censation can help provide a focus for sales and marketing activity and to the provision and location of services where success and take up are most likely. Conversely using Censation can help avoid spending money where success is less likely.

How does Censation work?

Every postcode is assigned one of 65 Group Codes. This four-character code identifies levels of affluence, life stage and additional distinctive information.

  1. AffluenceThe first letter in a Censation code indicates levels of affluence or deprivation:
    • A – Wealthy
    • B – Prosperous
    • C – Comfortable
    • D – Striving
    • E – Struggling
    • N – Not Classified

    For further explanation of groups beginning with an affluence code ‘N’ please see 4. below.

  2. Life StageThe second letter in Censation code indicates life stage:
    • V – Young singles
    • W – Young families
    • X – Older families
    • Y – Empty nests and seniors

    Postcodes that cannot be classified using Census data because it is not available have been classified using residential and commercial data into a further five categories:

    • L – Many organisations mixed with low, transient population
    • M – Residential development with a high incoming population
    • N – Stable turnover of a high population with a few organisations
    • O – Stable turnover of population mixed with commercial development
    • P – Established high residential population

    For information on the codes allocated to postcodes not covered by the UK 2011 Census please see 4. below.

  3. Additional InformationThe last two digits of a Censation code highlight distinctive characteristics drawn from the underlying Census, Residential or Commercial data or from the lifestyle validation. A short additional description is put in descending order with the strongest or most likely attribute first. View Censation Codes with Additional Information Descriptions.Censation groups do not have names, rather they are expressed as codes with corresponding descriptive information. We have taken the view that to name groups may be a distraction causing us to prejudge a particular group. It is prudent to apply the codes to customer and prospect data, and let the data ‘talk back’ through the codes.View a supporting table with 18 different characteristics
  4. Censation LabelThe Censation Label provides a handle for each Censation group for ease of identification and reference as names are often easier to quote and recall than a code. The label is not intended to be used in place of the affluence, lifestage or description which give a fuller description of the groups distinctive characteristics.
  5. Areas not covered by CensationSome (mainly commercial) areas of the UK cannot be classified because Census data is unavailable. However, the Censation system is built using other datasets such as current and historical residential and commercial data along with lifestyle validation. This means that an ‘unclassified code’ is provided as for these areas.

Profiling, Targeting, Locating and Communicating

Censation can be used to provoke penetrating questions and important discussions that lead to new or clearer insights and more confidence in decision-making. These insights can help to shape and style communication in a way more likely to be relevant to the target audience. For retail, charity and local government, options and priorities for locating stores and services can be more readily assessed.

Perhaps the most obvious application is to append the codes to existing customer databases and to look for consistent patterns. Our API provides direct programmable access to the Censation data making it easy to use Censation codes in your own application – see the API Documentation for details. Are you particularly successful with customers that fall into certain Censation group codes? Why not look for these codes within your prospect data? Did you expect a different result? How will that affect your future sales and marketing communication and strategy?

Alternatively, you may be wanting to target existing customers with additional offers, to do this you can compare the codes for those customers that have made multiple purchases with those that have only made a single purchase. This can highlight those customers more likely to make a further purchase. To find out which customers are likely to stay loyal, long-term customers, you could compare the codes for those who haven’t purchased in the last twelve months, with those that have.

Censation codes can also be applied in ‘live’ situations. In a call centre, scripts and offers can be adjusted to be more likely to appeal to a caller – based on their postcode and Censation code. Universities can attract applications from targeted social backgrounds by using the codes to communicate words and styles more likely to be relevant and accessible.

Data Protection

The Censation codes are produced at ‘output area’ level which is then related to postcodes. An output area consists of roughly 150 people and ensures that it is not possible to identify individual characteristics.

Special License required for use by data bureaux, mailing houses etc

AFD licenses specifically exclude bureaux use. For bureaux licensing details please email sales@afd.co.uk.

Using Censation with AFD solutions

Censation codes can be appended to your address records during address capture and used ‘live’ to help communicate in more relevant ways with customers and prospects. In addition codes can be appended to your prospect and customer databases and address lists using the application programmers interface.

Alternatively, purchase an AFD Refiner license. Refiner is an intuitive and powerful batch and interactive address cleansing system which will append Censation codes to address records while you are cleaning them or in a separate appending process.

AFD Names & Numbers provides a powerful way to select and export names and addresses based on Censation code. Selections can be further refined using length of residency, household composition and geographic location (i.e. Town or radial distance).

Additional Censation Information

Additional Censation Information is included in appendices G, H, I and J of this Manual:

  • Appendix G – Censation Additional Info
  • Appendix H – Censation Detailed Tables
  • Appendix I – Censation Bar Charts
  • Appendix J – Censation Glossary

Drag & Drop

You can drag text from the individual fields of the Censation Tab and drop it into other Windows programs – like Microsoft Word.

Hold down one of the [Shift] keys (usually marked with a hollow arrow pointing upwards). Then click and hold down the left mouse button on the field you wish to move (drag) text FROM – the cursor will turn into a dragging icon. Now move to the program you wish to place the text in (keeping the mouse button down). Finally, release the mouse button to drop the text in the new field.

The Postcode Robot

Introducing Robot Technology

AFD Postcode contains AFD ROBOT technology which will automatically detect the typing of a postcode in most Windows applications, and convert it into a street address.

Postcode allows you to enable or disable Robot entirely – but you can also choose, separately for each application you use, whether to enable Robot at all – and if so, whether to operate normally or in “Quiet” mode.

In “Normal” mode, when Robot detects that you have typed a postcode it will show a window, and allow you to choose whether to insert the address, for the postcode you typed, into your application. If Robot doesn’t recognise your application then you will be prompted to teach Robot how to enter an address – the last time you will need to type an address manually.

In “Quiet” mode Robot will only prompt you if the postcode you typed may indicate more than one address. Most postcodes only have one street address associated with them – in which case Quiet mode allows Robot to operate entirely invisibly and automatically. A number of postcodes have more than one street address – and Robot must ask you which of the possible street addresses to use. The most extreme case, HD7 5UZ, has a choice of 7 different forms of the street address for one postcode.

Robot also supports a “Fast Find” mode where it can search for addresses in the same way as the ‘Find’ field on the main Postcode window by typing a sequence such as #Commercial Street, Birmingham# into your application. Alternatively if you are not using quiet mode and type any known postcode (e.g. B1 1RR) into your application you can then use Fast Find direct from the Robot window to find the address you require.

Enabling Robot

When Postcode is first installed, Robot is enabled. To turn this feature off across all applications, simply de-select the ‘Enable Postcode Robot’ option on the General tab from the Postcode Main Window’s File – Properties menu option.

You can also choose if the System Tray Icon is displayed from here. The “Prompt user to setup Robot with new applications” option enables Robot to automatic detect postcodes entered in unrecognised applications and prompt you to show Robot how to enter an address so that you will never have to enter the address manually in that application again. If you do not wish to use this mode then you can switch this option off from here.

The Startup options ‘Normal’, and ‘Compact’, ‘Minimised’ and ‘Robot Only’ allow you to specify how Postcode starts. If you mainly use the Robot you may wish for Postcode to be minimised, so you can easily bring it up when required, or to simply have the Robot on it’s own running – you can Restore Postcode from the Robot System Tray icon is needed.

Using Robot

Robot is the simplest way to get a complete address into your application – Start AFD Postcode, switch to the program you wish to insert the address into and type in a postcode. Robot will prompt you to check that you really do wish to add the address and, on clicking Insert, inserts the address for you – right back into the application you’re using! If the address is not as expected you can enter another postcode or fast find into the ‘Find’ box and click Lookup to find the right address.

For example:

Your ActionIf you type normal textIf you type a postcodeIf you type a postcode with property information
Robot’s ActionRobot ignores what you typed – and the text appears just as you typed it.Robot detects the postcode – and converts it into an address.Robot detects the postcode – and converts it into an address – placing the organisation or property information into the address.
What you would see without Robot: Dear Sir,
Following our meeting
B1 1RRABC Ltd, B1 1RRABC Ltd, B1 1RR
What you would see with Robot:Dear Sir,
Following our meeting
Commercial Street
BIRMINGHAM
B1 1RR
ABC Ltd
Commercial Street
BIRMINGHAM
B1 1RR

To use the Fast Find mode simply type a search such as #Commercial Street,Birmingham# into your application and Robot will operate in the same way as shown above.

When you install AFD Postcode, settings for the following applications are installed automatically – and you will normally find that Robot works just as you require without any changes or configuration at all:

  • Act!
  • dBase
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Goldmine
  • Lotus 1-2-3
  • Lotus AmiPro
  • Lotus Approach
  • Lotus Organiser
  • Lotus WordPro
  • Maximizer
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Works
  • Notepad
  • Outlook
  • Paradox
  • Quattro Pro
  • Sage
  • WinFax
  • WordPad
  • WordPerfect

Robot Settings

Robot is fully configurable and it is easy to modify the way it behaves for an application already supported – or to create new settings for other applications.

The behaviour of Robot is controlled by associating a group of settings with your application. For most common applications Robot will work without any additional configuration. If Robot detects a postcode has been typed into an application that it does not recognise then you will be prompted to teach Robot how to type an example address so that it can learn from you and therefore complete the address automatically in the future.

You can check the ‘Don’t ask me about this window again’ option if you do not want Robot to prompt you about this window when you type a postcode in again – e.g. if you do not wish to use Robot with that window. For more information on the process of teaching Robot how to insert the address see the Show AFD Robot How section of this manual.

Alternatively, you can provide settings to tell Robot how the address information is passed to your application (e.g. order of fields, keystrokes to send between fields). For full details of this, please refer to the Tell AFD Robot How section of this manual.

For more advanced configuration, please also see the Insert and Robot Advanced Setup section.

System Tray Icon

By default Postcode displays a System Tray icon for Robot (near the clock at the bottom right of your screen. This indicates if Robot is enabled and gives you quick access to disable the Robot or configure it’s options.

Toggling Robot On/Off

Clicking the icon will toggle Robot On and Off (enable and disable it). You will see a green circle when it is on (as shown above) and this will change to red when it is off.

Setting Options

By right clicking the icon you will be presented with a small pop-up menu allowing you to enable/disable the Robot, remove the icon from the Sys Tray (see Enabling Robot for how to re-instate the icon from the Postcode main screen), or Restore/Hide the main form is you wish to toggle between using the Robot alone. You can also gain quick access to the properties and settings for Robot which are described above.

Transferring Addresses

Transferring Addresses to Other Programs

Looking Up and Searching for addresses is only useful if the data can be easily transferred to other programs – like word processors, spreadsheets or databases. Postcode offers a choice of powerful ways to transfer data easily to almost any Windows program where it will be used:

Robot

This is the simplest way to transfer an address to your program, as you simply type a postcode into almost any Windows application, Robot does the rest. See Using The Robot for more details.

Clipboard

One of the most basic ways to transfer data is to use the Windows Clipboard.

Simply find the address you require, select it from the Results List, then select the Edit menu Copy option (shortcut key [Ctrl]+C). The selected address is copied to the clipboard, using the current settings and it is then available for pasting into your chosen program.

Move to your chosen application, then paste the address into position. Pasting will usually be carried out in your application by using an Edit menu Paste option (shortcut key [Ctrl]+V) – but consult your application’s documentation for further details.

Although this method requires almost no setting up – and may well be all you need for simple word-processing – there are more powerful methods of transferring addresses, which give you much more control of the process – including the format of the address.

The format of the address placed on the Clipboard can be adjusted using many of the Insert Settings, and Line Squeeze features- see below.

Drag & Drop

The Label Tab provides a quick way of dragging addresses and barcodes to other Windows programs – like Microsoft Word.

To drag a barcode or address, simply hold down a [Shift] key, then click and hold down the LEFT mouse button on either the barcode or the address box of the Label Tab. Keep the mouse button down whilst dragging onto the target program (like Word), then release the mouse button to drop a copy of the barcode or address into that program.

Please note: The Barcode is a graphical image and you should ensure that your target program is able to receive and use graphical data, before dragging it there. The Royal Mail barcode is subject to a fairly strict specification of size and layout. You should ensure that your target program is set up to print the barcode to this specification.

Insert

Postcode can pass address information to almost any Windows programs by simulating the typing of keystrokes into that program. You have full control over the order in which fields are typed into your program, and Postcode includes a very powerful keystroke ‘macro’ language which enables Postcode to control everything that happens during Insert – including the precise position of where each field will be typed.

A special Insert menu is provided to carry out the insert process, and when Postcode starts up, it examines all the other programs currently running, and provides an entry in this menu for each one, along with a menu hot key 1-9 and A-Z.

If your application was started after Postcode was loaded, it will be necessary to refresh the Insert menu by selecting Insert Refresh (shortcut key [F5]). Note that it would be unhelpful to type addresses into some types of Windows programs (eg Windows Explorer!) – and Postcode tries to ignore many of these.

To Insert an address, first select it from the Results List, then choose the target program from the Insert menu – and the address will be typed in according to the current Postcode settings.

Use the Edit menu “Editable Results” option if you wish to be able to change data other than adding property and organisation on the Results Tab before inserting it into other applications. This menu setting is stored with the current settings file. If “Editable Results” is not checked, you cannot enter a new search request in the Results Tab. In this case if you type in any of the Results Tab boxes you will be returned to the appropriate box on the Search Tab.

Once you have carried out the first Insert, Postcode remembers your target program, and makes a new entry at the top of the Insert menu – with a shortcut key [F2]. This means that future addresses can be inserted into this program simply by selecting an address, then pressing [F2].

For even faster Insert of addresses, once the first Insert has been completed, simply double-click an address in the Results List (this feature is not available if DDE is in use – see below).

The behaviour of Postcode during Insert is controlled by settings for each application. Please see the section below that describes how to use the Wizard to configure Insert for your application.

Insert and Robot Settings Wizard

When Postcode is first installed, it should Insert into most common programs – like Word or Excel – correctly. Postcode has a very powerful keystroke ‘macro’ language, which can be made to control your target program, and the precise position of where the data will be typed.

To configure an application to work with Postcode, select the ‘Insert / Robot Setup’ option from the File menu.

  • Show AFD Robot How – This is the simplest mode to configure AFD Postcode to work with your application. Simply ensure your application is ready to accept the address and then click the ‘Show AFD Robot How’ button. You will then be prompted to type a sample address into your application and AFD Robot will learn from you to ensure that this is the last time you have to manually type an address into your application.
  • Tell AFD Robot How – This mode will guide you through step-by-step to get your application working, you select your application and tell AFD Postcode the keystrokes needed to move between fields and the fields that you wish to Insert.
  • Advanced Setup – Should you have more advanced requirements, you can fully configure all the settings yourself using the Advanced Setup option – you may well find it easiest to teach or tell AFD Postcode how to insert the address first and then use Advanced Setup to modify the settings if required.

Show AFD Robot How

When you select this option you will be presented with a fictitious address which you should type into your application exactly as it is shown.

Please note that you should use the keyboard wherever possible to move between fields as this is the most reliable. If you wish to ensure that Robot moves to the first field for you then you should use any shortcut to move to that field before typing the first field. Robot will also record any mouse clicks you use, so if you are unable to use the keyboard to move to a field and your application does not have a scrollable window you can use the mouse if needed. You should click the ‘Done’ button as soon as you have completed entering the address to ensure that keystrokes unrelated to the address are not picked up. If you do not wish to use a field, e.g. county, then simply don’t type it. If you make a mistake, clear out the address in your application and click the ‘Start Again’ button to start again.

Customising Fields

Should you wish to customise the field list, e.g. to add the Mailsort code field, then simply click the ‘Customise Field List’ button you will then be presented with the following dialog to select the fields to transfer:

Under the ‘Available Fields’ caption there are options to view the Standard or Special fields. This changes the list displayed below. You can mix and match these fields by adding fields from either one to the ‘Fields To Use’ list. The standard fields are the normal Postcode fields including the current County option. The special fields are more advanced fields including the raw PAF style dependant thoroughfare and thoroughfare fields (this is the street split into two fields if there are two street names in the address), etc., the rest of the county field types, and the outcode and incode portions of the postcode (the part before and after the space respectively). These are useful for applications that store addresses in such formats.

You can easily transfer fields to and from the ‘Fields To Use’ list by using the arrow buttons between the two lists. These are used as follows:

  • Include all fields
  • Include the selected field(s) (from the ‘Available Fields’ List)
  • Remove the selected field(s) (from the ‘Fields To Use’ List)
  • Exclude all fields

To change the order that fields are inserted into your application, simply select a field and use the up and down arrows to the right of the ‘Fields To Use’ fields list to move the selected field up or down the list. Repeat this until you have positioned all fields in the order that you wish them to be inserted. You can also simply type them in a different order when typing the address in your application and Postcode will automatically re-order them for you.

Completing the Process

Once you have typed the address and clicked the Done button, you will be presented with the following final options to complete the setup:

Robot needs to know what to do in the case that an address has gaps missing, e.g. an address which does not have a locality present. In most cases you will leave this as the default ‘Leave blank lines’ setting. However, in some cases you may wish to remove the blank lines, by moving the each address field up to fill the gaps, e.g. with a Word Processor. You might alternatively wish to only remove blank lines between a range of fields such as the Street down to the Town, but you have a fixed Postcode field so you always want that to remain in the same place.

Once you are happy with this you can click the Finish button and your setting will be saved and you can now use Insert and Robot with your application. Simply type a postcode into your application to see it work! If the result isn’t as expected you can re-run the Wizard to set it up again.

Tell AFD Robot How

Once you select to ‘Tell AFD Robot How’, you can use the Back and Next buttons on each screen to go through the setup process.

The steps of the wizard are as follows:

Step 1: Your Application

Here you select the window title of your application. This is used by Postcode to identify the application so that both Insert and Robot can use these settings when asked to insert into your application. The window title is the text that appears in the main blue window title bar of your application. This text should always be in the window title, and so should not necessarily be the complete title. For example, you might find Word has a title bar of ‘Document 1 – Microsoft Word’, however when you save your file it could, for example, change to ‘MyDoc.doc – Microsoft Word’. Therefore by setting the Application Window Title to ‘Microsoft Word’ you will ensure that Postcode can always recognise your application. If your application is running when you run the Wizard you should find your application title is listed in the drop down list box provided. Postcode will attempt to remove known document titles leaving only the application name, however if it has not you should alter the title yourself.

The options provided below allow you to specify a name for your application if desired. Normally you can leave the first option to ‘Use the application window title above to identify these settings’ as the Application Window Title will be the name of the application. However in some cases the windows title text might be obscure so you might prefer to choose to enter a more friendly application name. This name doesn’t affect the Insert or Robot process itself, however it might be useful to specify a name for the application so that you will easily recognise it should you need to manually alter settings with the advanced setup.

Step 2: Application Options

From this screen you can configure a number of different options for your application:

The options given are as follows:

Your application is most like a… This enables the Wizard to work out the most likely set of options for your application, making the subsequent steps of the wizard easier. You simply take the application type that most closely matches your application. If none of these are that close, then just take the one which seems closest, as you can always customise the setup anyway to match your application. The application categories supplied are as follows:

  • Wordprocessor / Envelope Label: This is an application like Microsoft Word or WordPerfect, were the address is entered down the page with each address line (e.g. Street, Locality, Town, etc.) on a new line. Or any application you are using to print a label for an envelope or the address portion of an envelope itself. The address is transferred down the label with each field on a new line.
  • Database / Form Entry: This refers to an application like Microsoft Access where fields in a table or form are used to enter the address. Or any application with separate boxes were you would enter each address field. TAB is used to move between the fields..
  • Spreadsheet: This is an application like Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3, were the address is entered in columns for each address field and TAB is used to move between the fields.

Keystrokes to move between each field or line in your application

This setting specifies the keystrokes to be used to move between fields in your application. The default will be dependant on the type of application you selected as being most like the one you are setting up now. In most cases this won’t need to be changed.

To change or enter keystrokes in either text box you can make use of Postcode’s powerful keyboard Macro language. Simply click the button labelled ‘…’ to the right of the appropriate text box to be presented with an easy to use dialogue for specifying the keystrokes:

Clicking on any item in the list of possible keystrokes will add the selected item to the keystrokes to use text box. You can also type any normal keyboard key, for example letters, numbers in that box yourself. When you have entered the relevant keystroke’s you can press OK to update the text field in the Wizard.

If you need to press a key with the Alt, Ctrl or Shift keys also pressed down you can check the boxes for this in the Wizard dialog, or alternatively you can select the symbols for this from the end of the keystrokes list on the keystrokes dialogue to apply them to the following keystroke.

To specify repeating keys, use the form {key number}. You must put a space between key and number. For example, {LEFT 4} means press the Left Arrow key 4 times; {TAB 3} means press the Tab key 3 times.

If you need more complex settings, such as different keystrokes between different fields, or need to use a mouse click because no key shortcut is available to move to a particular field, then this can be altered from the Advanced Setup once you have completed the Wizard.

Use with Robot

This specifies if your application is going to be used with Robot or not. Regardless of this setting, your settings will work with Insert, which is where you lookup the address in Postcode, select it and then select the application from the Insert menu to insert the address (or press F2 to insert into the last used application again). Robot functionality allows you to type the postcode directly into your application and then insert the full address without having to use Postcode directly first. This option is enabled by default, if you have no need for Robot functionality or if you are entering postcodes in your application and not wanting Robot triggered when you do so then you can opt not to use Robot with your application.

Use with Robot Fast Find

This specifies if your application is going to to be used with Robot Fast Find or not. Robot Fast Find enables you to enter address details to be looked up directly from your application when you do not have the postcode. For example typing #Commercial Street, Birmingham# into your application will give you the four postcodes for that address to choose from. You can then choose the correct one and insert it into your application. Please note that as Postcode does not contain property data there is no way of knowing which postcode is the correct one for your address, but if it could help choose between possibilities where a postcode is hard to read on a handwritten note, and some streets do only have a single postcode. You can also lookup a postcode this way, e.g. #B1 1AA#, which could be useful should you need to enter postcodes without looking them up sometimes so the normal robot functionality is not suitable for you. In that case you can say no to ‘Use with Robot’ but yes to ‘Use with Robot Fast Find’ – that way Robot would only be triggered when you enter the postcode surrounded by the # symbol.

Use without prompting where possible

Normally when you type a Postcode in your application, Robot will prompt you before inserting the address back into your application. However, if you would prefer Robot to do this automatically wherever possible, you can select this option and you will only be prompted if there is more than one possible street address for the postcode you enter.

How many fields or lines are there for address entry?

This specifies how many fields (boxes) or lines there are for address entry into your application. If you are inserting into a
word processor, an envelope label, or other free text application you should leave this as unlimited unless the address has to fit into a certain number of fields. If you have enough fields to cover all lines of the address that you will be inserting, then again it can be left as unlimited. Should you have a limited number of lines for address entry, for example because you are inserting into an existing application or database that you can’t modify to fit the address, then specifying this will enable Postcode to ensure the address fits in the number of fields that your application has.

Step 3: Fields To Transfer

On this screen you can specify the fields that you wish to be inserted into your application when you use Insert or Robot. The default fields are those from Street through to Postcode, the address data provided by Postcode. If you specified less than 5 fields for address entry on the previous screen, the Postal County will not be included as it is not a required address field. You can add and remove any fields you require and if you have specified that you have less fields then you have mapped Postcode will attempt to fit them all in. You may wish to map Organisation and Property if your application has those fields as while Postcode does not contain that data you can enter it in Postcode yourself of comma separate it with the postcode with Robot (e.g. entering AFD Software Ltd,IM7 2DZ).

Standard/Special Fields

Under the ‘Available Fields’ caption there are options to view the Standard or Special fields. This changes the list displayed below. You can mix and match these fields by adding fields from either one to the ‘Fields To Use’ list. The standard fields are the normal Postcode fields including the current County option. The special fields are more advanced fields including the raw PAF style dependant thoroughfare and thoroughfare fields (this is the street split into two fields if there are two street names in the address), etc., the rest of the county field types, and the outcode and incode portions of the postcode (the part before and after the space respectively). These are useful for applications that store addresses in such formats.

Transferring fields to/from the ‘Fields To Use’ List

You can easily transfer fields to and from the ‘Fields To Use’ list by using the arrow buttons between the two lists. These are used as follows:

  • Include all fields
  • Include the selected field(s) (from the ‘Available Fields’ List)
  • Remove the selected field(s) (from the ‘Fields To Use’ List)
  • Exclude all fields
  • **Changing the Order that Fields are Inserted ** To change the order that fields are inserted into your application, simply select a field and use the up and down arrows to the right of the ‘Fields To Use’ fields list to move the selected field up or down the list. Repeat this until you have positioned all fields in the order that you wish them to be inserted.
Completing the Wizard

After the fields to transfer stage you will be informed that you have completed the setup of the application and Postcode is ready to store your settings for your application. Clicking on the Finish button will save your settings and you can now start to use Postcode with your application using Insert (select your application from the Insert menu once you have located the address to insert in Postcode), or Robot (type the postcode directly into your application).

Should you wish to review any of your settings before saving them, use the Back button to navigate back through the previous Wizard screens.

If you need to modify the settings for your application, or you find it doesn’t quite work as you require it to, then simply select ‘Insert / Robot Settings’ from the File menu again, but this time select ‘Advanced Setup’ to modify your settings. Full details of the Advanced Setup is given in the section below.

Insert and Robot Advanced Setup

For speed of setup, it is recommended that the Insert and Robot Wizard is used first to configure an application for use with the Insert and Robot features of Postcode. If you need to change anything with your settings or you have more advanced requirements, either due to how you wish the address to be inserted or because of the way the application is laid out, you can then use the Advanced Setup to modify your settings accordingly and use more advanced features that the Wizard may not include. You can also setup an application for scratch if desired using the Advanced Setup.

To configure an application to work with Postcode using the Advanced Setup elect the ‘Insert / Robot Setup’ option from the File menu. Then on the first Wizard screen select the ‘Advanced Setup’ button. The Advanced Setup screen will then appear:

Selecting your Application

The first thing to do is to select the application settings that you wish to modify. At the top left of this screen the ‘Application’ drop-down lists all the application settings present. You can use this to select the application you wish to modify. If you wish to add a New application without using the Wizard you can use the ‘New’ button to do this. The ‘Remove’ button can be used to delete a setting if required. If you do select the New button the following dialogue will appear:

Here you select the window title of your application. This is used by Postcode to identify the application so that both Insert and Robot can use these settings when asked to insert into your application. The window title is the text that appears in the main blue window title bar of your application. This text should always be in the window title, and so should not necessarily be the complete title. For example, you might find Word has a title bar of ‘Document 1 – Microsoft Word’, however when you save your file it could, for example, change to ‘MyDoc.doc – Microsoft Word’. Therefore by setting the Application Window Title to ‘Microsoft Word’ you will ensure that Postcode can always recognise your application. If your application is running when you press the New button you should find your application title is listed in the drop down list box provided. Postcode will attempt to remove known document titles leaving only the application name, however if it has not you should alter the title yourself.

The options provided below allow you to specify a name for your application if desired. Normally you can leave the first option to ‘Use the application window title above to identify these settings’ as the Application Window Title will be the name of the application. However in some cases the windows title text might be obscure so you might prefer to choose to enter a more friendly application name. This name doesn’t affect the Insert or Robot process itself, however it might be useful to specify a name for the application so that you will easily recognise it when altering the application settings.

The last item allows you to select existing settings to use as a starting point. You can choose not to use any (select, ‘(None)’, the first item from the drop down list), but it is usually easier to use something as a starting point rather than starting from a blank set of settings. You should therefore use one from the most similar application listed.

Changing Field Mappings

Field Mappings are shown in the light yellow boxes under the heading ‘Fields’. You can drag and drop fields from the ‘Postcode Fields’ list on the right to this list. Items can also be dragged off the list back to the ‘Postcode Fields’ list if you wish to remove them. Multiple Postcode fields can be dragged to a single Field in your application if required.

Above the Postcode Field’s List you will see there are options to display Standard or Special fields. This option changes the list displayed below. You can mix and match these fields by adding fields from either one to the ‘Fields To Use’ list. The standard fields are the normal Postcode fields including the current County option. The special fields are more advanced fields including the raw PAF style dependant thoroughfare and thoroughfare fields (this is the street split into two fields if there are two street names in the address), etc., the rest of the county field types, and the outcode and incode portions of the postcode (the part before and after the space respectively). These are useful for applications that store addresses in such formats.

Before and After Keystrokes/Mouse Clicks

To the left and right of each field respectively, you can specify the keystrokes that are required before and/or after the Field has been entered into the application. If a keyboard shortcut or keystroke is not available to move a particular field, you can also configure AFD Postcode to use a mouse click instead as long as the window is not scrollable – e.g. a website where the position to click might vary. Prior to the first field you may wish to enter any Before keystrokes or a mouse click that is needed to take you to the first field in the application to start inserting from,. This is especially useful if the application may not be in the correct field when Insert is used or if the postcode is not going to be entered in the first address field with Robot.

The keystrokes are specified using our fully flexible macro language. To easily select keystrokes to use for this, click the ‘…’ button next to the Before or After field you are entering keystrokes for. The following dialog will then be displayed:

Clicking on any item in the list of possible keystrokes will add the selected item to the keystrokes to use text box. You can also type any normal keyboard key, for example letters, numbers in that box yourself. When you have entered the relevant keystroke’s you can press OK to update the text field on the Advanced Setup screen.

If you need to press a key with the Alt, Ctrl or Shift keys also pressed down you can select the symbols for this from the end of the keystrokes list on the keystrokes dialogue to apply them to the keystroke following the symbol.

To specify repeating keys, use the form {key number}. You must put a space between key and number. For example, {LEFT 4} means press the Left Arrow key 4 times; {TAB 3} means press the Tab key 3 times.

Should you need to use a mouse click instead, simply select the ‘Mouse Click’ option:

From here you can click the ‘Set A New Position’ button and then click in the field in your application that you wish to move to and AFD Postcode will record this for you. It is advisable to click in the middle of the field rather then near the edge.

Specifying Upper Case Fields

For most address fields (but not for data expected always in capital letters – like Postcodes), Postcode will attempt to provide properly capitalised fields.

If you prefer for one or more fields to be inserted only in Capital Letters, check the Case check box to the right of the After keystrokes box for the field(s) that you wish to Insert that field in upper case. A Royal Mail approved address prints the Town field in this format – though many typists prefer not to use this format when typing letters.

Line Squeeze

The ‘Line Squeeze’ option at the top of the dialogue applies to all fields mapped. If this option is enabled, Postcode will not insert any blank lines in the address (i.e. not even the Before or After keystrokes will be used). This is useful for inserting the address for things such as labels where blank lines aren’t desirable. For formatted address entry, e.g. into a database, it is better not to use this functionality as address consistency can be more important.

Should you wish to squeeze groups of fields, for example you have a fixed Town and Postcode field but you wish to squeeze together the fields above that, then you can check the ‘Squeeze’ option to the left of the yellow field mappings text field for the consecutive fields that you wish to squeeze together. However many fields are mapped in the space to the right of those in the Squeeze group will be inserted into the number of fields that have Squeeze checked.

Additional Options

More advanced settings to allow complete flexibility over the way Insert and Robot work which you may require can be found by pressing the ‘Additional Options’ button at the top right of the Advanced Setup screen. This will present you with the following dialogue:

Window Titles Associated with this Application

Normally only a single window title will be associated with an Application. This is the one you specified when you added the application using the Wizard or the New button on the Advanced Setup screen. In some cases however, such as that shown above which is the WP setting used for multiple word processors, you may wish to have multiple window titles associated with a single application setting. These can be added by using the ‘Add’ button from this screen. The Edit and Remove buttons also allow you to Edit and Remove window titles as required.

Settings for the Selected Window Title

These settings allow you to specify options for each window title associated with this application. Where there is only one window title these are the application settings, however when multiple titles exist such as that shown above, you can specify differing settings for each title if desired. The settings given here are as follows:

  • Use with Robot – This specifies if your application is going to be used with Robot or not. Regardless of this setting, your settings will work with Insert, which is where you lookup the address in Postcode, select it and then select the application from the Insert menu to insert the address (or press F2 to insert into the last used application again). Robot functionality allows you to type the postcode directly into your application and then insert the full address without having to use Postcode directly first. This option is enabled by default, if you have no need for Robot functionality or if you are entering postcodes in your application and not wanting Robot triggered when you do so then you can opt not to use Robot with your application.
  • Use with Robot Fast Find – This specifies if your application is going to to be used with Robot Fast Find or not. Robot Fast Find enables you to enter address details to be looked up directly from your application when you do not have the postcode. For example typing #Commercial Street, Birmingham# into your application will give you the four postcodes for that address to choose from. You can then choose the correct one and insert it into your application. Please note that as Postcode does not contain property data there is no way of knowing which postcode is the correct one for your address, but if it could help choose between possibilities where a postcode is hard to read on a handwritten note, and some streets do only have a single postcode. You can also lookup a postcode this way, e.g. #B1 1AA#, which could be useful should you need to enter postcodes without looking them up sometimes so the normal robot functionality is not suitable for you. In that case you can say no to ‘Use with Robot’ but yes to ‘Use with Robot Fast Find’ – that way Robot would only be triggered when you enter the postcode surrounded by the # symbol. You can also change the # symbol to one more suitable for your application or convenient for you if desired.
  • Use Robot without prompting where possible – Normally when you type a Postcode in your application, Robot will prompt you before inserting the address back into your application. However, if you would prefer Robot to do this automatically wherever possible, you can select this option and you will only be prompted if there is more than one possible street address for the postcode you enter.
Settings for the Selected Application

These settings cover the whole application, regardless of if multiple window titles are selected. They are advanced options that you may wish to use to customise the way Postcode inserts data into your application. The settings given here are as follows:

  • Split Fields at Commas for this application – This option is useful with fields that have been squeezed. It will separate fields which have comma’s in them (e.g. a dependant street like ‘Newhall Court, George Street’) onto two separate lines. You may prefer this for labels or for entry into your application. We don’t generally recommend this feature as it means your address will not be in such a consistent format (for example the second street in one address could be in the same place as a locality in another).
  • Use separate settings for Insert and Robot – If enabled this option will separate the settings for Insert and Robot for this application. Normally the settings that Postcode will use for both Insert and Robot are the same for the same application. However if you need to have differing settings for each one you can do this, simply by selecting this option. When you click OK and go back to the Advanced Setup screen you will then see an option at the bottom left of that screen to switch between the settings for Insert and Robot for the application. They will default to being the same but as you make changes to one it will not affect the other.
  • Enable Field Length Limits – This option is designed for applications with small field lengths. It allows you to specify the maximum length of each field you wish to Insert. If the field exceeds this length then Postcode will automatically use the most common abbreviations to try and reduce it’s length to minimise truncation of the field. When you enable this option and click OK to go back to the Advanced Setup screen you will see a Length box has been added to specify this length for each field. A value of 0 means the field will be unlimited in length, otherwise you can specify the number of characters that the field can take.
Default Application Settings

These settings do not affect the application settings currently being modified, but tell Postcode what to use if no settings has been specified for a particular application that is used, they are also the settings used for determining display options in Postcode itself where needed. You can select the Default settings from the drop-down here. You can also specify if these settings will be used as the default for Inserting, if this is not enabled then Postcode will not Insert into any application that does not have settings specified for it. The setting to use the default when using Robot Fast Find also allows Robot Fast Find to be used with any application by using these default settings.

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)

Postcode can pass information to and from another Windows program through Dynamic Data Exchange – even if the application has no programming or ‘macro’ language. Before DDE can operate properly, you must tell Postcode about the program you wish to have a DDE ‘conversation’ with – using the DDE Tab on the Postcode Property window.

To set the DDE Properties, launch the Postcode Properties window from the File menu Properties option (shortcut key [Ctrl]+R).

The first two settings – Application and Topic tell Postcode about the program you wish to establish a DDE conversation with – and the information should be provided in the documentation of that program. You will see that when Postcode is installed, it is set up for use with Symantec’s ACT v3 contact manager program.

Postcode offers 12 fields of data available for a DDE conversation – and these are listed in the list box. For each field which you require, select the field, check-mark the ‘Enable for DDE’ checkbox, and provide the DDE ‘Item Name’ for that field.

Note: The ‘Item Name’ is the name recognised by your program for the Postcode field – e.g. the ‘Postcode’ field may be known as ‘ZipCode’ to your program and your program’s documentation should provide the ‘Item Name’ for you.

Once you have established the DDE settings, you can start a DDE conversation by loading your program, then selecting the View menu Icon for DDE option (shortcut key [Ctrl]+D). This launches a special icon-sized Postcode DDE window, which can be positioned so that it appears to be a tool-bar button on your chosen DDE program. To move the button, click and hold down the RIGHT mouse button, then drag the DDE Icon into position before releasing the mouse button. Postcode will remember this position the next time the DDE Icon is used.

The Postcode Plus DDE Icon – use it like a toolbar button!

To read data FROM your chosen program, simply enter the data in the required fields within that program, then click the DDE Icon with the LEFT mouse button. Postcode will examine the data provided by your program and look up the address for you. For more complex searches, consider using ‘Cut & Paste’ or ‘Drag & Drop’ to instruct Postcode what you wish to search for.

Once Postcode has listed results of a Lookup or Search (whether the data was ‘collected’ from your program using DDE or typed directly into Postcode), you can transfer an address back to your program by double-clicking its entry in the Results List. Using this technique along with your program’s Insert New Record facility will also allow you to transfer many addresses from Postcode to your program, and so build up a mailing list.

You can also use Iconised DDE Mode from the View menu, which works by taking the postcode or search you entered (Please Note: you will need to enter a $ in the postcode field of your application to specify a reverse search) and silently inserting back the first address record into the fields configured for DDE.

Application Programming Interface (API)

Full access to all the data within Postcode is available to programmers through the API. This means that for developers – and even for users of programs like Microsoft Access, etc, postcode lookups can be entirely automatic and invisible.

Using the API will require programming ability – but AFD supply fully working examples (with free source code showing how this can be done) in a variety of popular programming languages – like Microsoft Access, Visual Basic, Delphi and C/C++.

For more details, see the section on the Postcode API.

 

Compact View

Compact View provides a small window to enable you to use the standard lookup facility of Postcode and modify, insert, and print labels for addresses all from a window with a small footprint on your desktop – leaving you with plenty of space on your screen to work with another application at the same time.

Switching to Compact View

To switch to Compact View, select Compact from the View menu (or press [Ctrl]+W).

To return to Normal View (ie the standard Postcode screen size) press [Ctrl]+W whilst in Compact View or click the Close button.

If you’d like Compact View to remain on top of all other applications then select ‘On Top’ ([Ctrl]+T) from the Postcode View Menu before switching to Compact View.

Looking Up Addresses

To lookup an address simply type the postcode or STD code with optional property information into the lookup box as you would in Normal View. Postcodes will be looked up automatically as you type them. For other lookups press the ‘Enter’ key or click the ‘Lookup’ button once you have completed typing your lookup.

If you’d like to change the county option, or other options that relate to how the address is returned or displayed then set this up from the Normal View.

Complex lookups will revert automatically to Normal View, once you have selected an address you can use [Ctrl]+W to switch back to Compact View.

Editing Address Information

After looking up an address you can add Organisation and Property information to the address before inserting it by typing it straight into the fields provided. You can also add a Name to go onto any labels that you print from Compact Mode. Other address fields can be added if it is necessary.

Inserting Addresses

Pressing the Insert button or pressing F2 will insert the address currently displayed into the default application using the settings file specified by the chosen association for that application, or the settings file currently open where no association for that application exists. Settings can be changed from Normal View. The default application will be the last application you inserted into.

If you have not inserted into an application then you will be presented with a pop-up menu from which to insert the application from. If you wish to change the application that Compact Mode inserts into then right click the Insert button and the pop-up list will be displayed for you to select an application from. This list is the same as that displayed on the Insert menu of the Normal View.

Printing Labels

To print a label for the currently displayed address simply click the ‘Print’ button. To setup the Label for printing correctly on your printer and for specifying options (eg if a barcode is required to be printed) use the Label Tab in Normal View.

Other Features

On Top

If you prefer Postcode to float ‘On Top’ of other Windows programs – even when you are not working directly in Postcode, select the View menu On Top option (shortcut key [Ctrl]+T). Postcode will display a check-mark next to this option whilst it is in use.

Hot Key

Postcode allows a shortcut key to be used to quickly access the Postcode application. To configure or view the currently assigned Hotkey setting, select the File menu Properties option. ([Crtl]+R)

Enabling the Hotkey allows Postcode to be activated on pressing the configured Hotkey even if it is not already running.

Care should be taken in ensuring the Hotkey is assigned to a key combination that will not conflict with shortcut keys used by other applications (for example [Ctrl]+P is often used as a shortcut to print so if you assign [Ctrl]+P then you won’t be able to use that shortcut key to print from applications).

Please note: WinKey refers to the Windows Key on your keyboard. This option is not available in 16bit versions of Windows.

With printable characters, simply press the key in the ‘Key’ box to use that key with Postcode, for non-printable characters such as F1, Insert, Print Screen etc. enter the code in curly brackets as shown in the following table:

  
Backspace{BS}
Enter/Return{ENTER}
Page Up{PGUP}
Page Down{PGDN}
Home{HOME}
End{END}
Left Arrow{LEFT}
Right Arrow{RIGHT}
Up Arrow{UP}
Down Arrow{DOWN}
F# (Function Keys){F#}
Insert{INSERT}
Left Menu Key{LMENU}
Right Menu Key{RMENU}

The Hotkey is fully configurable and can be configured to be used with any keyboard key.

Please note: Some have been omitted because they would cause problems with Windows.

However any key on any keyboard can be used, email support@afd.co.uk, or phone the AFD Support Team (0333 433 0712) if you need help setting up the Hotkey.

Grid References

Postcode contains grid references for most Postcodes in PAF (Some postcodes, such as PO Boxes as they are non-geographical, do not have Grid References). Also displayed is the latitude and longitude values corresponding to these grid references. This is in WGS84 format which is most commonly used by GPS units. You can change the options for how these grid references and latitude and longitude values are displayed from the Properties screen, accessible from by selecting Properties from the File menu.

Two sources of Grid Reference data are available and you can select which one is displayed here.

You can choose how grid references are displayed. By default British grid references are used for British postcodes and Irish Grids for Irish Postcodes. However in some cases you might wish to standardise on one or the other, for example when comparing distances between them so you can select to always use either GB (British) or NI (Irish) grid references.

Also available is the option to use an approximation for the locality or town an address is located in when a grid reference is not available. This is of course a lot less precise in the case where a grid reference is not available for the postcode itself, but may be more useful than a blank grid reference for uses such as finding distances, locating an address on the Map etc.

These grid reference options are made use of on the Results tab and the Map tab and taken account of in Inserting addresses as well. However it should be noted that the Nearest function always uses GB Grid references for consistency across the whole UK in determining distances.

For the latitude and longitude display and for inserting these values you can choose if you wish to use the decimal or degrees, minutes and seconds display. Generally the decimal display is more useful for entering into other programs etc, but the degrees display is more easily readable.

For more information about Grid References see the Grid References Appendix.

Postcode for DOS

AFD Postcode provides a simple way to speed up the entry of address information into any DOS program: e.g. Word Processors, Databases and accounting programs etc.

Type in the postcode you require and the Town, Locality, County, Mailsort Code and most STD codes are provided for you. You can amend these, add a house name and/or street number, then press the [Insert] key to transfer the address to your program. In view of different methods of operating DOS programs, AFD offer several ways of using the rapid addressing techniques. The two principle and popular methods are:

  • PC-POP Terminate-Stay-Resident (TSR) Address Lookup
  • PC-DOS Command-Line Address Lookup

PC-POP Terminate-Stay-Resident (TSR) Address Lookup

This program is loaded BEFORE your application (database, accounts program, word-processor etc). When you wish to look up a postcode or wish to use Street and Town to find an address, a Hot Key is pressed (typically [Alt]+P). This pops-up a box over the top of your program. When you’ve found the address, press the [Insert] key and it is typed into the program underneath it. By configuring PC-POP, you can have the address data typed just where you require it and with a range of layout options. PC-POP also provides a powerful label and envelope printing facility.

Setting up PC-POP Once you have completed the installation, set-up is quite easy.

Just add the line of text shown below to your autoexec.bat file before any menus etc, reboot and the postcode program (PC-POP) is ready to go. (You may find it useful to load PC-POP itself straight afterwards – to do this also type the PC-POP line)

SET PC=C:\POSTCODE
C:\POSTCODE\PC-POP /N - 

The second line loads PC-POP and makes it available when your computer starts up. The ‘/N’ is an option to make PC-POP load automatically without awaiting confirmation.

There are several command-line parameters to control PC-POP: see Command Line Parameters, below, or type PC-POP /? to see them on screen.

Once loaded, you may invoke the pop-up program: simply hold down the ALT key then press P ([Alt]+P) (or the alternative hot key you have chosen) and type in the required postcode. PC-POP then provides the following data:

  • Street
  • Locality
  • Town
  • County (where a county is present)
  • STD Code
  • Mailsort Code

If a postcode has more than one possible street entry, a small arrow will appear next to the street on screen – press the down arrow to view the next possible street: an up arrow allows you to move back to a previous street entry.

If you do not know the postcode but have a post town and a street name you can search for its postcode by typing the $ sign. This will bring up a search window that will allow for the entry of the street and post town to search for the postcode that you require. You may also enter the locality name to constrain the search to a locality – but you must have a post town as well.

If you are unsure of the correct spelling of either street, locality or town names, place a $ sign at the beginning of either line to perform a phonetic (fuzzy) search. This will then produce a list of possible addresses. Highlight the one you want using the keyboard arrow keys and press [Enter]. To abandon the search, press [Esc]. To try a new search, press N.

Rapid Address

PC-POP can use a special rapid-address format like ‘1,b111aa’ which will return a fully formatted address of Stratford Road, B11 1AA. Putting the line “The Red House,b111aa” will place the property before the street, on the street line separated by a comma.

You can add (or alter) other parts of the address: like the name, first line and street number by pressing the [Enter] key to enter the address panel.

Once the address is as required, the following options are available:

Press

  • N to enter a new postcode to lookup
  • [Ins] to insert the address into your program (eg Word processor)
  • L to print mailing labels for the address
  • V to print envelopes for the address
  • X to unload PC-POP from memory: only possible if no other program has been loaded into memory since PC-POP was started
  • PgDn to clear PC-POP from screen should you have popped it up by accident or to exit editing of an address
  • [Esc] to close the PC-POP screen without other action

Finding STD Codes

You can use PC-POP to look up in which geographical area a certain telephone STD code is located, as well as using it to find postal addresses from the Postcode. Press the “/” key and enter the STD code you require.

If you enter an old-type STD code, the new type will be shown, then the program will find the postal areas using that STD code.

Note: In some areas, especially in larger cities, it is impossible to predict STD codes from postcode data with total accuracy: they are not limited to the same geographical areas and in some cases an area may have several possible STD codes. The information provided by postcode should therefore be treated as an aid to data entry only.

Command Line Parameters

The following command lines will help you control PC-POP. To use them, type them after PC-POP eg:

PC-POP /? [Enter]

would cause PC-POP to display its command line options.

Parameters Available:

  • /? Show command line parameters
  • /I:inifile use INIFILE.INI initialization file (default=USERNAME.INI)
  • /N become memory-resident without awaiting keystroke confirmation
  • /K:nn Max No of characters to pass to keyboard buffer (default=no limit)

Configuration of PC-POP

PLEASE NOTE:- Using this configuration program while PC-POP is loaded will not alter the way the current program operates. To ensure that the new configuration you key in is used, unload PC-POP from memory and then run this utility.

PC-POP can be configured to deal with your address and printer control information: you can even have different PC-POP files for different purposes and you can change the Hot Key (normally [Alt]+P) used to activate PC-POP to another letter.

To configure PC-POP, simply type PCPOPCF myfile [Enter] at the C:\POSTCODE> prompt, where “myfile” is the name of the .INI file you wish to alter.

You will see a screen that provides 5 selections. At the top right of this screen will be the .INI file you will be altering.

A – Set Address Parameters This will take you into the section that will configure PC-POP to place the data into your application in the manner you want. You can move around this screen using the arrow keys. Once you have finished, press Page Down to exit the screen.

Title Field This allows you to alter the name of the field, this does not appear when the address is transferred.

Max Len This allows you to alter the maximum number of characters that will be transferred to your application.

Option This forces, or not, the transferred field into upper case: * 0 – Normal * 1 – Force Upper Case

In the case of the County field, it will allow you to choose the type of county information you require: * 0 – Postal counties – does not provide counties for large or county towns * 1 – Optional counties – provides county names for all except large cities * 2 – Abbreviated Postal counties – uses standard abbreviations to shorten postal counties * 3 – Abbreviated Optional counties – uses standard abbreviations to shorten optional counties

Delimiter This enables you to use DOS ASCII codes to replace the keystrokes that you would normally use to exit the field that has just been completed and move to the next data input field of your database etc. Some examples are :- * \008 Backspace * \009 Horizontal Tab * \011 Vertical Tab * \013 Carriage return [Enter] * \027 Esc (Escape) * \044 , (comma)

Consult your DOS manual for more. It will even allow you to have plain text added.

Line This will set the Line Number order in which the data is transferred. A zero will compress the line, use this when transferring into a word processor when there is no locality field available. Entering ‘-1’ will ignore the line completely when transferring data. Defaults are:

     
Name300\0131
Street350\0132
Locality300\0133
Town300\0134
County150\0135
Postcode101\0136
STDCode101\013-1
Mailcode51\013-1

C – Set Colours Use this section to change the colour of PC-POP. You will see the changes happening as you alter the relevant colour code numbers but be WARNED, changing the colours can cause PC-POP to appear invisible after it is popped up over an application which has the same colour. Page Down, again exits this screen once you are finished.

H – Set Hot Key This sets the Hot Key that you will use in conjunction with the Alt key to pop up PC-POP.

You can also set which (if any) ‘Shift Key’ should be pressed with your chosen key. You may choose from None (0), A – Alt, C – Ctrl, L – Left Shift or R – Right Shift. The default ‘shift’ key is Alt.

The default key is [Alt]+P

P – Set Printers This configures PC-POP to use your printer which allows you to use the label and envelope printing features of PC-POP. You can configure PC-POP to use two printers. A label printer and an envelope printer.

Device This specifies the DOS device or DOS file name to send the data to: e.g. LPT1 for Printer 1 or c:\Myfile.prn to send the text to a file called Myfile.prn on your C drive.

Initialise Allows you to set up printer initialisation codes (like reset, margins etc). These can usually be found in the reference section of your printer manual.

Set Top Printer commands to send before each label or envelope – like line feeds etc.

Set Left Printer commands to send before each line of text – like spaces.

Below Text The number of lines to leave below the last line of the address before starting the first footer line.

Footer 1 The text and/or printer codes to print as footer line 1.

Footer 2 The text and/or printer codes to print as footer line 2.

Base Commands to send after each envelope or label (eg page feed)

A sample .INI file is provided for EPSON (PC-POP.EP) and HP (PC-POP.HP) type printers To use one of these, simply rename it to PC-POP.INI.

R Register Postcode for DOS Use this option to Register your copy of Postcode. This can be done via the AFD Web Site. This process activates your copy of Postcode for the remaining period of your license.

Users with both Windows and DOS versions of Postcode should use the windows ‘Welcome’ program instead.

INSTRUCTIONS – PC-DOS Command-Line Address Lookup

PC-DOS is a powerful and versatile rapid address program, which can actually write programs for your application, in order to pass data to them. It can be used in a very wide range of database and programming systems, including Alpha 4, Basic, Clipper, dBase, FoxPro, Paradox and most programming languages.

PC-DOS can look up postcodes, or use Street and Town to find an address and a range of parameters allow you to tune calls to the program exactly as you require them.

PC-DOS shares its Street/Town lookup facilities with PC-POP, so instructions for common features are not repeated here.

PC-DOS operates as a command-line driven program. Parameters allows you to pass a request to PC-DOS and tell it the format and location of the answer. PC-DOS places the results of its request in a text or program file – which is either opened and read by the application calling it, or run as a program by the calling application.

Examples are provided showing how to use these techniques from Alpha 4, from dBase/Fox/Clipper etc and from Paradox.

Parameters

  
/?Show command line parameters
/C:nnnnConvert ‘nnnn’ STD Code to Phoneday Code
/F:filenamePlace data in FILENAME (default = AFD-PC.TXT)
Allows you to give a path and filename for the result of your address look-up
/I:inifileUse INIFILE.INI initialisation file (default = USERNAME.INI) This allows you to choose which INIFILE contains the colour settings you wish to use – see configuring PC-POP above.
/M:BWSet for Mono (B&W) monitor
PC-DOS defaults to EGA/VGA mode – use this parameter if you have a monochrome display.
/P:(AA12 3BB)Lookup postcode AA12 3BB and place result in FILENAME file
/S:nnnnConvert ‘nnnn’ STD Code to Phoneday Code & look up location
/T:xResult file type where:
A=Alpha 4
D=dBase / Fox / Clipper etc
P=Paradox
T=Dos Text File

This parameter allows you to control the format of the result file – If A, D or P types are specified, the file can be used as a PROGRAM from the respective application.

Examples

dBase / Fox / Clipper

This program fragment packs the postcode from a variable or field called ‘pcode’ and specifies Type D file in C:\Postcode\AFD-PC for a Monochrome screen.

  • Assemble a memory variable with the PC-DOS Parameters. FindAddress = “/P:(” + Pcode + “) /T:D /F:C:\postcode\AFD-PC /M:BW”
  • Call the PC-DOS routine from AFD. ! C:\postcode\PC-DOS &FindAddress
  • Make sure that the new copy of AFD-PC is used. Clear Program AFD-PC
  • Run the resulting program created by PC-DOS DO C:\postcode\AFD-PC

Paradox

This is a similar routine as a script for Paradox (type P). The FindAddres line should be all on one line.

; Make up parameters for AFD Postcode
FindAddress = "C:\postcode\PC-DOS /P:(" + Pcode + ") /T:P /M:BW /F:C:\postcode\AFD-PC"
; Call the PC-DOS routine from AFD
Run NOREFRESH FindAddress
; Run the resulting Script created by PC-DOS
Play "C:\postcode\AFD-PC"

Fully commented versions of these examples are provided in the DOS examples of your Postcode installation.

Programming Postcode

The AFD Common API (Application Programming Interface)

AFD Products come with a fully functional easy to use Common API which enabled developers to integrate our products into most environments. The DLL’s required to access our data through the API ships as standard with all our products. A full SDK kit, which includes full documentation, example generation, and code to integrate into your own application is available for free download from our website.

Using our Common API you can develop for one of our address management products (e.g. Names & Numbers) and the same application will also function with our Postcode and Postcode Plus products.

For further information regarding our API, please visit www.afd.co.uk/support/

Appendices

Appendix A: Command Line Options

The following entries can be added as part of the ‘Target’ or ‘Command Line’ when launching Postcode, allowing you to specify your preferences for a particular use of the program:

APPENDIX A: COMMAND LINE OPTIONS

The following entries can be added as part of the ‘Target’ or ‘Command Line’ when launching Postcode, allowing you to specify your preferences for a particular use of the program:

  
/Lookup=37,AB31 5TJLooks up ’37,AB31 5TJ’ immediately after loading
/Settings=WPSpecifies the Settings File to be loaded is ‘WP’
/Splash=NoSuppresses the display of the Splash Screen when loading
/Tab=1Sets Tab 1 (the Search Tab) to be displayed after loading

These commands can executed from the Start Menu, Run by typing something similar to the text below into the Run box. . .

c:\postcode\pc2000.exe  /Lookup AB31 5TJ   /Settings=WP  /Splash=No  /Tab=1

Appendix B Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut KeyFunction
[Alt] + [F4]Close Postcode
[Esc]Cancel Loookup, List or Search
[F1]Help
[F2]Insert current address into target application
[F5]Refresh Insert Menu
[Alt] + 1Switch to Search Tab
[Alt] + 2Switch to Results Tab
[Alt] + 3Switch to Label Tab
[Alt] + 4Switch to Map Tab
[Alt] + 5Switch to Nearest Tab
[Alt] + 6Switch to Censation Tab
[Alt] + BSwitch Barcode on/off
[Alt] + CClear Results List
[Alt] + DJump to Find Box
[Alt] + EActivate Edit menu
[Alt] + FActivate File menu
[Alt] + HActivate Help menu
[Alt] + IActivate Insert menu
[Alt] + LLookup the text entered in the ‘Find’ box
[Alt] + MActivate Map Menu
[Alt] + NActivate Nearest Menu
[Alt] + RPrint single mailing label
[Alt] + SSearch using the address data entered on the ‘Search’ tab
[Alt] + VActivate View menu
[Ctrl] + [Insert]Copy current field to Clipboard
[Shift] + [Insert]Paste current Clipboard contents to field
[Ctrl] + AAdd Selected Records To Nearest
[Ctrl] + CCopy current address to Clipboard
[Ctrl] + DView icon for DDE
[Ctrl] + FFilter Nearest List
[Ctrl] + KDelete Selected Nearest Records
[Ctrl] + MToggle Distance Line
[Ctrl] + RView or Alter Properties
[Ctrl] + SSave Currently Displayed Nearest Record
[Ctrl] + TSwitch ‘On Top’ mode on/off
[Ctrl] + WToggle Compact View
[Ctrl] + XView Examples List
FunctionShortcut Key
Add Nearest Records[Ctrl] + A
Barcode: switch on/off[Alt] + B
Cancel Lookup, List, or Search[Esc]
Censation Tab[Alt] + 6
Compact View (Toggle)[Ctrl] + W
Copy current address to Clipboard[Ctrl] + C
Clear Results List[Alt] + C
Close Postcode[Alt] + [F4]
DDE: view Icon for[Ctrl] + D
Delete Nearest Records[Ctrl] + K
Edit menu[Alt] + E
Examples List[Ctrl] + X
Filter Nearest Records[Ctrl] + F
File menu[Alt] + F
Find Box – jump to[Alt] + D
Help[F1]
Help menu[Alt] + H
Insert current address into target application[F2]
Insert menu[Alt] + I
Label Tab[Alt] + 3
Launch Provider[Ctrl] + Y
Lookup using current Findbox contents[Alt] + L
Map Menu[Alt] + M
Map Tab[Alt] + 4
Nearest Menu[Alt] + N
Nearest Tab[Alt] + 5
On Top Mode: switch on/off[Ctrl] + T
Paste current Clipboard contents to field[Shift] + [Insert]
Print mailing label[Alt] + R
Properties – view or alter[Ctrl] + R
Refresh Insert menu[F5]
Results Tab[Alt] + 2
Save Nearest Record[Ctrl] + S
Search Tab[Alt] + 1
Toggle Compact View[Ctrl] + W
Toggle Distance Line[Ctrl] + M
View menu[Alt] + V

Appendix C: Grid References in AFD Products

Grid References

Grid Reference data is primarily sourced from Ordnance Survey for distance calculations, nearest calculations and data / location analysis. It is made up of a six digit Easting and a six digit Northing. This reference relates the location of the Postcode to the National Grid (or Irish Grid for Northern Ireland Postcodes (start with BT)).

Background to Data

England, Wales and Scotland

The largest units of the National Grid are 500km squares, each designated by a prefix letter – the first letter to be quoted in the National Grid reference.

The 500km squares are then broken down into twenty five – 100km squares; these are also designated by a prefix letter – the second letter of the grid reference.

Within the 100km square, each smaller grid square (at 10km, 1 km, or 100m side) is designated by the distance of its South-West corner from the West (Eastings) and South (Northings) margins, respectively, of the 100km square in which it lies.

To enable these distances, or co-ordinates, to be easily found, their values are printed in the map margins against the grid lines concerned. These provide the numbers – two, four or six digits – which identify each particular grid square.

EXAMPLE
e = easting     n = northing
S   K   1   2
e   n

shows a point 10,000m East and 20,000m North of the South West corner of the SK square.

S   K   1   3   5   2   4   6
e   e   e   n   n   n

Shows a point 13,500m East and 24,600m North of the South West corner of the SK square.

A point or feature, within one of the smallest grid squares, can be indicated still more closely by estimating the tenths of the appropriate grid square.

When giving a National Grid reference, for any point, the distance Eastwards (Eastings) is always given before the distance Northwards (Northings).

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is covered by the Irish Grid System, which contains a single alpha character to represent each 100km square. There are 5 such 100km squares covering Northern Ireland using the letters: C D G H J.

This, however, makes the distance difficult, so AFD products automatically convert the Irish grid system to British system to allow distances / nearest to be correctly calculated. You can opt to convert all grid references to use the British or Irish Grid systems to provide consistency across the whole UK and these options are available in the front-end and developers can gain access to these conversions through the Common API.

Isle of Man, Channel Islands and other postcodes where Grid References are not available (e.g. PO Boxes)

No Grid References are available for these postcodes but to enable them to be used with the Map and Nearest facilities of AFD Products, grid references for the centre of the locality/town have been hard coded. PO Boxes are non-geographic (being located in the Post Office) hence having no grid reference. You can also opt to use these locality/town hard coded values generally in the Front-end and they are accessible through the Common API for developers. In large cities these approximations can be quite far out as the values given are for the centre of that city and not the postcode you selected. However this may be more useful than no grid reference at all to assist in distance calculations or locating somewhere on the map.

Latitude & Longitude

To enable these Grid References to be used with GPS systems and other tools requiring latitude and longitude values AFD Products provide a conversion to latitude and longitude values for a grid reference which is displayed in the front end and can be inserted into your application. Developer’s can gain access to these conversions through the Common API. The latitude and longitude values given are based on the WGS84 standard – the one in most common usage with GPS systems. The conversions used are accurate to within 5 metres (the worst case scenario at locations with most distortion). But remember that a grid references at postcode level may cover a wide area especially in rural areas.

Appendix D: End User Licence Agreement

See https://www.afd.co.uk/eula

Appendix E: Re-registration Form

See re-registration form

Appendix F: County Options

The Royal Mail no longer use the “County” for the delivery of mail – indeed, they have removed County Data from the Postcode Address File on which many AFD products are based. Although County may be included on mail, AFD products and examples are set to omit county data when first installed. It is strongly recommended that for mailing purposes, County data be omitted.

Nevertheless, many organisations use counties for their own regional structures so AFD Products allow you to choose whether these are displayed (from the Edit menu), and gives you a range of county types to choose from:

  • Postal Counties
  • Abbreviated Postal Counties
  • Postal including Optional Counties
  • Abbreviated Postal Counties including Optional Counties
  • Traditional Counties
  • Administrative Counties

Appendix G: Censation Additional Info

The following table shows the full descriptions for each of the Censation codes.

CodeAffluenceLife StageAdditional InfoLabel
AW01WealthyYoung familiesMany Christians, Professionals with High incomes, commercially activeEclectic Tastes
AW07WealthyYoung familiesEmployed in full education and finance, active online but protective of identity, some Christian and ruralFully online
AW09WealthyYoung familiesPublic servants with above average income, some christians and rural locationsProgressive Families
AX02WealthyOlder familiesAbove average incomes, with traditional backgrounds and high levels of responsibilityBusiness Leaders
AX03WealthyOlder familiesSuburban neighbourhoods with many social grade AB, commercially activeLeafy Avenues
AX05WealthyOlder familiesTraditional outlook with high qualifications and social grade ABInstinctive conservative
AX06WealthyOlder familiesWell above average incomes, in established neighbourhoods, but engaging with the internetThoughtful Progress
AX10WealthyOlder familiesEstablished affluent families, who want privacy with many different Religions and backgroundsGlobal Perspective
AY04WealthyEmpty nests and seniorsManagers and senior officials with high incomes, engaged with commerce and the internetSettled Influence
AY08WealthyEmpty nests and seniorsProfessional and senior managers with a wide range of cultural interestsStyle and Music
BV20ProsperousYoung singlesHighly qualified young people looking to establish themselves and settle downPreparing the Nest
BW11ProsperousYoung familiesHigh incomes, with many Christians, employed in finance and business servicesCultured Engagement
BW18ProsperousYoung familiesSuburban families with young children and high aspirations for commercial successSporting Ambitions
BX15ProsperousOlder familiesBuying their own homes, and preparing for children to leave homeParents Taxi
BY12ProsperousEmpty nests and seniorsEstablished focus on buying home, DIY, home improvements and the gardenHome and Garden
BY13ProsperousEmpty nests and seniorsMixed set of interests, able to do new things now children are becoming independentConsidering Change
BY14ProsperousEmpty nests and seniorsMixed interests, but many with local interests and higher than average incomesConsiderate Participants
BY16ProsperousEmpty nests and seniorsMany retired christians, in suburban settings, with little commercial activityContented Enjoyment
BY17ProsperousEmpty nests and seniorsMany rural locations, employment in agriculture and support for local charitiesCountry Cottage
BY19ProsperousEmpty nests and seniorsSome christians with employment in education and the professionsTraditional Community
BY21ProsperousEmpty nests and seniorsRange of interests with a typical income but much expectation about commercial activityDriven to Get On
CV29ComfortableYoung singlesLots of different activities, with plenty of uptake of technology and online activityPrudent Technologists
CV30ComfortableYoung singlesHighly qualified workers, with some professionals, and interests in Leisure, clothing and appliancesLiving to the Full
CV31ComfortableYoung singlesMany students, and interests in music, leisure and eventsFestival Participants
CW26ComfortableYoung familiesHindus and muslims, many employed in the transport sector with some office and shop staffGlobal Reach
CW28ComfortableYoung familiesWide range of interests, particularly charities and family, many manual workers in the retail sectorEmpathetic Supporter
CX22ComfortableOlder familiesMany factory and manual workers in manufacturing and retail. Buying their own houses, some on average incomesSalt of the earth
CX27ComfortableOlder familiesBuying their own home, some in a rural setting, with interests in the local communityAttentive partner
CY23ComfortableEmpty nests and seniorsRetired with a range of interests in semi-detached houses with moderate commercial activity, some with no qualificationsHouse Proud
CY24ComfortableEmpty nests and seniorsRetired with a range of interests, some moderate commercial activity, with some high qualificationsSocial Enthusiast
CY25ComfortableEmpty nests and seniorsRetired with mixed interests with skilled trades and experience in agriculture. Relatively High commercial activity with some intermediate qualificationsHandy skills
DV36StrivingYoung singlesLiving in rented accommodation, working in hotels, business and health services. Sometimes support charitiesFocused Students
DW32StrivingYoung familiesLiving in smaller houses. Manual workers in manufacturing and retailLooking for New Ideas
DW33StrivingYoung familiesTraditional outlook with some Christians, working in retail and transport with little commercial activityConscientious worker
DW41StrivingYoung familiesSupport staff employed in manufacturing and retail, on low incomes, with an eclectic range of interestsKeeping Fit
DX34StrivingOlder familiesNo professed religion, with low levels of qualifications. Manual workers reading popular newspapersIndustrious providers
DX39StrivingOlder familiesEmployed in manufacturing, construction and retail as support staff. Many read middle of the road newspapers with a conservative outlookMaking Ends Meet
DX40StrivingOlder familiesEmployed in manufacturing, construction and retail. Have no qualifications and read popular newspapers, but engage with social mediaAspiring Technologists
DX42StrivingOlder familiesVery low incomes – either unemployed or in the hotel trade, but sometimes support charitiesOld-school companions
DY35StrivingEmpty nests and seniorsRetired with mixed interests, many with no religious affiliation who sometimes support charitiesCareful beginners
DY37StrivingEmpty nests and seniorsRetired without qualifications, with experience in manufacturing. Some support charities some of the timeHome Builders
DY38StrivingEmpty nests and seniorsMany retired without qualifications, read popular newspapers, some on low incomesWorking hard
EV46StrugglingYoung singlesSome on low incomes, living in rented accommodation with no religious affiliation, with aspirations for commercial activityBettering themselves
EW44StrugglingYoung familiesMany with no-religious affiliation in social and private rented accommodation, who sometimes support charitiesMeticulous care
EW45StrugglingYoung familiesMixed interests, living in rented accomdation and reading popular newspapersStarting Out
EW50StrugglingYoung familiesSocial renting of smaller flats & houses, very low incomes, with little commercial activityFirm foundations
EX49StrugglingOlder familiesSocial renting of flats & smaller houses, read popular newspapers and little commercial or internet activityDedicated Parents
EY43StrugglingEmpty nests and seniorsRetired, social grade E, with no qualifications. Reading popular newspapers, value privacy with little commercial activityResolute spirit
EY47StrugglingEmpty nests and seniorsRetired with little religious affiliation and no qualifications previously in process support and elementary occupations, some in social and private rentingDiligent Supporters
EY48StrugglingEmpty nests and seniorsSocial grade E, retired with experience of personal health services. Engaged with commercial activityPersistent enquirers
EY51StrugglingEmpty nests and seniorsSocial grade E, retired with experience of elementary occupations in health. Many Muslim and HinduDetermined Survivors
EY52StrugglingEmpty nests and seniorsSocial grade E, retired with experience of elementary occupations in manufacturing. Little commercial and online activityProud Technophobes
NL61Not ClassifiedMany organisations mixed with low, transient populationConsumer commercial centres and offices. Much of this segment arises from business related sources, plus some unidentified residential propertiesUnclassified

Appendix H: Censation Detailed Tables

CodePercentage of UK Population (Postcode Level Censation)Percentage of Adults Over 18 (Individual Level Censation)Percentage of Occupied Households (Household Level Censation)Urban- Rural ScoreRecent New Build ScoreRecent House Sales ScoreRecent Sale Price ScoreAnnual Rate of House Price Increase ScoreAnnual Rate of House Sale
AW011.210.270.21531514
AW070.751.451.11552515
AW090.90.690.58535523
AX020.920.370.31451544
AX032.020.460.29534532
AX051.372.261.59535542
AX061.351.751.38423542
AX101.840.280.27115453
AY041.761.041.52324554
AY081.630.911.19455515
BV201.41.841.56454415
BW111.960.820.66541413
BW181.941.781.48542435
BX151.546.525.02522432
BY121.011.181.83434443
BY131.581.251.9454415
BY141.240.040.05214553
BY160.660.060.1112434
BY171.430.060.05512433
BY190.990.150.23314443
BY210.890.320.46444315
CV290.61.021.11325221
CV300.991.971.85343354
CV311.041.291.17355315
CW261.911.41.09125321
CW282.735.674.84451325
CX228.2613.5310.42342331
CX276.131.31.06433322
CY235.065.89.17243333
CY243.711.792.78233453
CY253.240.430.61112333
DV361.753.633.4331254
DW320.641.110.96551254
DW330.861.020.81335244
DW410.782.191.82351355
DX341.755.213.97314241
DX391.822.692.13323222
DX402.431.491.11442212
DX422.070.610.53433213
DY352.573.575.59251224
DY374.111.822.85222222
DY381.810.260.4111222
EV461.793.153.24241124
EW441.280.630.53211155
EW450.761.591.33245155
EW500.70.660.54112141
EX492.25.554.38223141
EY432.351.262.05122121
EY472.372.684.44143121
EY483.241.392.26221132
EY511.551.651.61113141
EY521.110.110.17111131

Appendix I: Censation Bar Charts

Income

Tenure

Housing Type

Economic Activity

Industry Sector

Occupation

Social Grade

Age

Adult Marital Status

Dependant Children

Religion

Qualifications

Population Characteristics

Newspaper Readership

Charity Support

Appendix J: Censation Glossary

  
Accommodation & food servicesAccommodation and food service activities
Active: Full-time studentEconomically active: Full-time student
Active: Self-employedEconomically active: Self-employed
Active: UnemployedEconomically active: Unemployed
Administrative servicesAdministrative and support service activities
AffluenceAn estimate of the relative material comfort experienced within different neighbourhoods of the UK based upon a combination of variables from the 2011 UK Census
CensusA questionnaire distributed to the whole UK population once every decade, the last one was in 2011
ChristianIndicates that a relatively high proportion of a postcode indicated that their religion was Christian in a voluntary question in the latest UK Census
ComfortableThe central band on the affluence scale derived from the Census data
CommercialIndicates the presence of a high proportion of business and public organisations within a postcode
ConsumerPredominantly businesses that deal directly with the public, e.g. shops, banks, pubs etc.
Converted flatFlat, maisonette or apartment: Part of a converted or shared house (including bed-sits)
Detached houseWhole house or bungalow: Detached
DistinctiveWhere the proportion of a factor within a postcode is substantially larger than the proportion found within the UK as a whole.
Electricity, gas, steam & air conElectricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Elementary (occupation)Unskilled jobs, e.g. security guards
Employee: Full-timeEconomically active: Employee: Full-time
Employee: Part-timeEconomically active: Employee: Part-time
Empty NestsAdult couples aged over 45, who have no children.
EstablishedThe average length of residency within a postcode is over 6 years.
ExcessA significantly higher proportion of a characteristic when that proportion is large across the whole of the UK.
Flat In a commercial buildingFlat, maisonette or apartment: In a commercial building
Frequently6+ times per year
GeodemographicThe description of different characteristics about people based upon the location where they live.
HighUsually more than 8 times per year
HinduIndicates that a relatively high proportion of a postcode indicated that their religion was Hindu in a voluntary question in the latest UK Census.
HouseholdA group of people living within one building and accessed through a single main door.
Household SpaceAny accommodation occupied by an individual household or, if unoccupied, available for an individual household.
Human health and social workHuman health and social work activities
In-conclusiveInformation about the segment does not differentiate significantly between different characteristics
In employmentEconomically active: In employment
Inactive: Long-term sick or disabledEconomically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled
Inactive: Looking after home or familyEconomically inactive: Looking after home or family
Inactive: OtherEconomically inactive: Other
Inactive: RetiredEconomically inactive: Retired
Inactive: StudentEconomically inactive: Student (including full-time students)
Life StageIndicates the distinctive characteristics of a postcode according to their age and household make-up
Life StyleIndications of the different ways that people participate with society and people around them.
Mail OrderIndicates how likely respondents are to make purchases through the use of magazines, catalogues etc. where the product is not seen directly, but sent by mail after it has been ordered.
ManyIndicates that a characteristic for a Censation segment is one of the 10% most distinctive for that variable
MuslimIndicates that a relatively high proportion of a postcode indicated that their religion was Muslim in a voluntary question in the latest UK Census.
Normally empty householdsHousehold spaces with no usual residents
Normally occupied householdsHousehold spaces with at least one usual resident
Occasionally1 – 3 times per year.
Older FamiliesAdult couples, with children aged over 11.
Personal ServicesJobs that include support for private individuals, these can include health, social services and leisure.
Professional & scientific activitiesProfessional, scientific and technical activities
Process SupportLow skilled jobs particularly those that support production lines etc.
ProsperousThe next to highest band on the affluence scale derived from the 2011 Census data
Public AdministrationPredominantly local and national government offices
Public administration & defencePublic administration and defence; compulsory social security
Public SectorA grouping of business sectors including Public Administration, Health and Education.
Purpose-built flatsFlat, maisonette or apartment: Purpose-built block of flats or tenement
Qualification: Level 1Entry level vocational training: e.g. Skills for Life or Foundational Diploma or GCSEs graded D & E
Qualification: Level 2Established Vocational Training: e.g. Higher Diploma plus GCSEs graded A* to C
Qualification: Level 3Detailed Vocational Training: e.g. Advanced Diploma plus A/AS levels
Qualification: Level 4Further Vocational Training plus any University level courses
RankIf the clusters are sorted according to a selected variable then this number indicates the position in the list.
ResidentialIndicates that a postcode has predominantly private residences within it.
Residential ServicesThese services are often intermingled with private residences and can include Petrol Stations, Newsagents, Small grocers, Hairdressers etc.
ReligionThe 2011 Census included a voluntary question asking each respondent their religion, if they chose to, they ticked their choice from those available.
Semi-detached houseWhole house or bungalow: Semi-detached
SeniorsAdults aged over 65, often living alone
SikhIndicates that a relatively high proportion of a postcode indicated that their religion was Sikh in a voluntary question in the latest UK Census.
Social GradeA grouping of the population derived by the Market Research Society and used within Advertising and Marketing
SOHOSmall office and home office businesses
SomeIndicates that this characteristic is distinctive for that group although it doesn’t fall into the top 10% for this variable.
Sometimes4 – 5 times per year
StableIndicates that the average length of residency in a postcode is between 3 and 6 years.
StrivingThe next to lowest band on the affluence scale derived from the 2011 Census data
Student at their non 
term-time addressSchoolchild or full-time student aged 4 and over at their non term-time address
StrugglingThe lowest band on the affluence scale derived from the 2011 Census data
Temporary structureCaravan or other mobile or temporary structure
TenureIndicates the type of contract that a respondent holds for their place of residence.
Terraced houseWhole house or bungalow: Terraced (including end-terrace)
TransientIndicates that the average length of residency within a postcode is below 3 years
TurnoverThe rate at which people move in and out of a postcode.
VariablesDifferent descriptions of the characteristics of people within a postcode.
Water supply & sewerageWater supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
WealthyThe highest band on the affluence scale derived from the 2011 Census data
Wholesale and retail tradeWholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles
Young FamiliesAdults living as a couple with children aged less than 11 years old.
Young SinglesAdults aged less than 45, who are living alone.

Appendix K: Occupancy and Address Type Indicators

Occupancy

The occupancy indicator gives an indication of the type of occupants of properties on the selected postcode. It can be helpful in determining whether a given postcode is more likely to relate to a business or private residence, or if a given address is more likely to be in a more industrial or town centre type of setting or in a residential street. You should note that there is always the possibility of an address not being present on PAF, or an incorrect postcode being given. This means that you may be given business or residential details which contradict this field, so it should be used as a guide as to what to expect rather than being treated as authoritative. The types returned are as follows:

1. Large User Organisation

This indicates that this is a business postcode which is not shared between different delivery points (letterboxes). The organisation is a large user of Royal Mail deliveries. No private residences should share this postcode and the Royal Mail Postcode Address File will only contain one business entry at this postcode. This can include PO Box addresses which always have a single postcode allocated to them.

Examples:

B6 4AA  Used by the organisation 'Royal Mail' only.
B2 2UD  PO Box postcode.  Used by the organisation 'Birmingham City Council'.
2. Small User Organisation

All the properties on this postcode are likely to be businesses (i.e. not private addresses). There may well be multiple businesses and buildings sharing this same postcode.

2. Small User Organisation

Examples:

B2 5EP  Used by multiple organisations such as 'Toni & Guy', 'Slaters', and 'Hobbs'.
B6 5PL  Contains the Organisation 'Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Fleet Maintenance Dso' only.  In this case there is only as single organisation residing on this postcode but it is not a large user postcode and there is always the possibility that other properties could be added to the same postcode in the future.
3. Mostly Organisations

Most of the addresses on this postcode are businesses. However residential addresses are also present.

Examples:

B5 5SL  Contains mostly organisations such as 'Top Draw Graphic Design Associates Ltd', 'RPS Engineering', etc. but also contains a few residential properties such as a Flat.
B15 3AA Contains a large number of business addresses, but also contains a number of residential properties too.
4. Mixed

This postcode contains a mixture of both business and residential addresses with no one type of address in a significant majority.

Examples:

B15 3TR Contains quite a number of both businesses and residential addresses
B17 9QH Again contains a number of both business and residential addresses, neither is dominant on this postcode.
5. Mostly Residential

Most of the addresses on this postcode are residential. However business addresses are also present.

Examples:

B9 5XF  Contains mostly residential addresses, however a construction company, opticians and garage are also present.
B14 5LY Contains residential addresses with the sole exception of a corner shop.
6. Residential

All the properties on this postcode are likely to be residential addresses.

Examples:

B5 7PY  Contains residential addresses only.
B1 1TW  Contains residential addresses, all of which are apartments.

Address Type

The address type indicator gives an indication of the type of property level data you will need to capture to have the full delivery address for properties on the selected postcode. It can be helpful in determining the necessary additional property information you will need to capture to complete the full deliverable address. You should note that there is always the possibility of an address not being present on PAF, or an incorrect postcode being given. This means that you may be given property details which contradict this field, so it should be used as a guide as to what to expect rather than being treated as authoritative. The types returned are as follows:

1. Numbered

This indicates that all addresses on this postcode consist purely of a number. So the only information that needs to be captured for a complete address (in addition to the street address returned by Postcode), is the house number. It should be noted that some people may give out and wish to use a house name instead, despite that not being their official address as held by Royal Mail.

Examples:

B6 5BL  Contains numbered houses only on Clifton Road in Aston, Birmingham.
B11 3QL Also contains numbered houses only in Sunningdale Road, Birmingham
2. Numbered and Named

This indicates that a mixture of addresses exist on this postcode, some needing a house number and some needing a property name. There can also be those that require both or include alphanumeric numbering such as 16b. More care therefore has to be taken in capturing the property details than with a purely numbered or named postcode.

Examples:

B3 1AP  Contains three addresses with a house number only and one address with both the Property 'Council House' as well as the number 31.
B3 3LP  Contains some addresses with a house number only, some with both a house number and property name, and one with a property name only.
3. Numbered and Named, Likelihood of Multiple Occupancy

This category is the same as that above (Numbered and Named), except that the address details indicate that it is likely that some or all of the addresses on this postcode are multiple occupancy (such as a flat).

Examples:

B1 1BA  Contains flats in Holloway Circus in Birmingham.
B20 3PR Consists mainly of numbered properties, however some flats are also present.
4. Named

All the properties on this postcode have a house or building name, not a number. You are therefore normally expecting to capture a name rather than a number when capturing addresses on this postcode.

Examples:

B6 4AA  Contains a single address with the property name 'Birmingham Mail Centre' only.
B1 1TT  Contains ten addresses each with a property name and no house number present.
5. Non-Standard Address Format

This refers to postcodes where one or more addresses is not in a common address format. It is therefore important with this address type to carefully check and enter the property details. This includes addresses which do not have a street field at all, or have multiple street names on the same postcode. It also includes addresses with numbered localities (no street but a house number which goes in with the locality field).

Examples:

B2 5JS  Address simply has an organisation name, town and postcode.  No other property or street level information is present.
B13 9JD Some properties on this postcode have a dependant street in the street field giving, 'Fernside Gardens, Yardley Wood Road', while others only have 'Yardley Wood Road'.  You therefore need to check you have selected the appropriate street level record in Postcode before adding property information.
6. PO Box

This refers to postcodes that have a PO Box number rather than property details to capture. The PO Box number is included in Postcode and so only the business or individual name needs to be captured in this case.

Examples:

B4 7DG  This is PO Box 122 for 'Urban Design' in Birmingham.
B16 8TZ This is PO Box 1990 in Edgbaston, Birmingham
7. No Property Information

When this indicator is present, the address or addresses on this postcode do not have any property information present. So in this case you are only required to capture an organisation or resident name to complete a fully deliverable address.

Examples:

B1 1HH  This is a 'Holiday Inn' on Holiday Street in Birmingham.  No other property information is present in the fully deliverable address.
B29 5AA This contains addresses for 'Lodge Hill Cemetery' and 'Lodge Hill Cemetery, The Caretaker', both on Weoley Park Road in Birmingham.  Again no other property information is present.

Appendix L: Royal Mail Terms

See www.afd.co.uk/rmterms

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