Geocoder Field
Introduction
The Geocoder Field is the hidden processing and storage hub for one location. It converts addresses or coordinates into structured location data and synchronizes connected Address, Coordinates, Map, and Locator Button Fields.
Available in: Starter, Pro, and Agency.
Add a separate Geocoder Field for every independent location, such as an origin and destination. The Geocoder works in the background and is automatically hidden on the frontend.
Configuring the Geocoder Field
Default Location
- Default Latitude: sets the initial latitude for this location.
- Default Longitude: sets the initial longitude for this location.
- Geocode on Page Load: resolves the default coordinates into structured address and location data when the form loads.
Leave the default coordinates empty when the field should wait for visitor input or location detection. Geocoding coordinates depends on the configured API keys and Geocoding API.
Map Marker Options
- Marker URL: use a custom marker image for this Geocoder.
- Marker Info Window Content: set the content displayed when the marker is selected; leave it empty to disable the info window.
- Hide Marker on Initial Load: keep the marker hidden until the location is updated.
- Disable Marker Dragging: prevent visitors from moving this location by dragging its marker.
- Move Marker Using Map Click: let a visitor reposition this location by clicking a connected Map.
- Disable Address Output: prevent marker movement from updating connected Address Fields when coordinates should change independently.
These options affect this Geocoder on every connected Map Field.
Setting Up and Using the Geocoder Field
- Add a Geocoder Field to the form.
- Optionally configure its default coordinates and marker behavior.
- Add the visible fields visitors need, such as Address, Coordinates, Map, or Locator Button.
- Select this Geocoder Field in each connected field's Geolocation settings.
- Save the form and test the complete location workflow on the frontend.
Use the Address Field supplied by Ninja Geolocation when visitors enter an address. Ninja Forms' native Address field does not connect to a Ninja Geolocation Geocoder.
Connected geolocation fields are also supported inside Ninja Forms repeaters. Keep each location group within the same row structure so each row uses its own Geocoder.
Saved Value and Outputs
The Geocoder Field saves normalized full-location JSON. Depending on the available result, this can include structured address components, formatted address, latitude, longitude, Place ID, and related location data.
Its dynamic outputs include address components, county, postcode suffix and full postcode, formatted address, Place ID, latitude and longitude, coordinate composites, address-and-coordinate composites, and the serialized complete location.
Geolocation merge tags support readable text, HTML, JSON, the complete saved value, common normalized properties, lat/lng aliases, and nested properties through dot notation.
Connected visible fields may also save their own presentation value. For example, an Address Field saves the displayed address and a Coordinates Field saves a coordinate pair, while the Geocoder retains the complete normalized record.
Troubleshooting
Connected fields do not update
Confirm that every field is connected to the intended Geocoder Field and that the form was saved after the relationship changed.
Default coordinates do not become an address
Confirm that Geocode on Page Load is enabled and that the configured API key can use the Geocoding API.
The marker cannot be moved
Review Disable Marker Dragging and Move Marker Using Map Click, then confirm that a connected Map Field is visible and initialized.
Two locations overwrite each other
Create a separate Geocoder Field for each independent location and reconnect the related Address, Coordinates, Map, or advanced fields to the correct source.