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Zip Code advice

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    #1

    Zip Code advice

    I have a zip code database that I purchased online. I've modified my field rules in my table to populate the city and state fields after entering the zip.

    This works great except when there is more than one city that uses the same zip code.

    By default, it populates the city and state with the first match for the zip code.

    Is there a way to alert the user when there is more that one matching city for a zip code?

    Thanks!
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Zip Code advice

    This could be done by a query before the field fill in but I have never seen 2 cities with the same zip. Are you sure that these zips are correct?

    Russ

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Zip Code advice

      Originally posted by russ Boehle View Post
      This could be done by a query before the field fill in but I have never seen 2 cities with the same zip. Are you sure that these zips are correct?
      The ZIP code database we use will in many cases list a ZIP several times. There is a default city name for a ZIP, then possible alternates. The company we buy from has a little documentation on the subject.

      You can have your ZIP field's OnWroteField check for multiple entries of the same ZIP. If there are choices, display an XDialog box autopopulating a list box with cities and states. Allow the user to select their city/state choice and overwrite whatever Alpha picked for the initial lookup values.
      Adam Backstrom <[email protected]>

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Zip Code advice

        I live in Citrus Springs, FL. My zip populates as Dunnellon which is the actual Post Office. The mail gets to me either way. Dunnellon is in Marion County and Citrus Springs is in Citrus County.

        I use the same lookup as you do with other problems. Citrus county has no county tax on sales, but marion county does. Each time a user uses my program, it figures the wrong tax until he changes the county. I simply made a popup box that warns to get the right county and city from the customer. In most cases, I have already caught and changed the city and county to properly match.

        I have the same purchased zip code table with a change to catch the county tax for the counties that charge it. (2 fields)

        I hope this helps.

        Dave Mason


        Nothing is perfect in this world!
        Dave Mason
        [email protected]
        Skype is dave.mason46

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Zip Code advice

          Originally posted by DaveM View Post
          I live in Citrus Springs, FL. My zip populates as Dunnellon which is the actual Post Office. The mail gets to me either way. Dunnellon is in Marion County and Citrus Springs is in Citrus County.

          I use the same lookup as you do with other problems. Citrus county has no county tax on sales, but marion county does. Each time a user uses my program, it figures the wrong tax until he changes the county. I simply made a popup box that warns to get the right county and city from the customer. In most cases, I have already caught and changed the city and county to properly match.

          I have the same purchased zip code table with a change to catch the county tax for the counties that charge it. (2 fields)

          I hope this helps.

          Dave Mason
          I have a similar problem in that we have about 4 zip codes that have 3 cities each. Although the mail will still be delivered regardless which city is filled in, we still wan't it to be accurate so we don't look incompetent to our customers.

          Ideally, I would like to have the zipcode lookup browse popup if one of these multiple city zips is selected so the user is forced to select the proper one.

          I appreciate all the help.
          Last edited by Mark Williams; 01-10-2007, 06:57 PM.

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Zip Code advice

            Not sure if this helps...

            I don't use this type of thing in my apps but I have noticed here in Ohio that the same issue exists. I believe the zip+4 codes are the only way to really nail down exact locales.

            Regards,

            Jeff

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Zip Code advice

              After looking into this further, I have discovered that Michigan has 52 zip codes that have more than one city assigned to them.

              So much for doing an if-then to create a popup to select the appropriate city.

              Any other suggestions?

              Thanks

              Comment

                #8
                Re: Zip Code advice

                Hi Mark

                Just a quick check on this site:

                http://www.zipcodedownload.com/Produ...dard/Overview/

                They say you can use their data to perform a lookup from the address. So, if you have street address you should be able to get the info you are looking for but you might contact them to verify.

                On second thought, I guess I am not sure if you have an actual street address. If you are entering a 5 digit zip code and wishing to return the proper city and state - it seems that might be tough to do.

                Regards,

                Jeff

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: Zip Code advice

                  Another thought...

                  We have the field rules set to 'not' automatically popup on entrance of the zipcode field.

                  There is an option to popup conditionally on entrance. Is it possible to create a condition that if a zipcode is listed twice in the zip.dbf to popup on entrance?

                  I think this would do it.

                  Thanks

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: Zip Code advice

                    Mark,
                    Here is an example of what you are looking for I believe. Let me know.
                    Mike W
                    __________________________
                    "I rebel in at least small things to express to the world that I have not completely surrendered"

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: Zip Code advice

                      That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the help (and for taking the time to create that example).

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: Zip Code advice

                        There are ~ 42,700 zip codes in the US. There are ~ 65,000 communities, so there are bound to be many small towns with the same zip zodes. Good news is that there are only ~ 150 that have three (3) or more towns for the same zip code. Most only have two (2) towns.

                        According to the USPS DMM (Domestic Mail Manual), the peice will be delivered to the correct location as long as the the zip code is correct. The carrier is to ignore the city, state and use the zip code.

                        I guess that's because the carrier can't read letters, but can read #'s. <vbg>

                        When multiple cities on same zip code, we force the user to select the correct city before they can proceed. We do something like this.

                        User Enters:
                        Name
                        Address
                        Zip Code
                        if multiple cities same zip code > popup choice
                        user selects
                        State auto fills
                        if no multiple cities same zip code <> no popup choice
                        City & State auto fill.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Re: Zip Code advice

                          I have spent hours trying to incorporate this logic into my app and cannot get it to work.

                          I've attached a test application showing what I need.

                          I'd greatly appreciate it if someone could take a look at it and offer some advice.

                          Thanks!

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Re: Zip Code advice

                            I didn't know that zips weren't unique to a town. Learn something new everyh day. We have been using the zip to fill in town and state. I guess I better take another look at that.

                            Russ

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Re: Zip Code advice

                              Here's another zip code tip. We update our zip code file monthly. We get the following info:

                              zip code
                              city
                              state abbr
                              Type
                              county FIPS
                              County
                              Area Code
                              State Code
                              State Full Name

                              Area codes change far more frequently than most people know. So we added a seperate field for area code and seperate field for the phone # (7 digits ###-####) as opposed to using a typical phone field of ###-###-####.

                              Yes, I know we could write code to parse the area code and update it, but at the time it was a pain to do. It was much easier to seperate the fields and then when we update our zip code table, we also update all area codes.

                              Comment

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