Importing Existing Entry Locations
Introduction
Gravity Search uses indexed location data to power proximity search, distance sorting, and map display.
New and updated entries can be indexed automatically, but existing entries may need to be imported before they can participate in location-based searches.
The Entry Locations Importer scans existing Target Form entries and indexes their location data so it can be used for proximity searches, maps, and distance calculations.
When Import Is Needed
Run the importer when:
- You enabled Gravity Search on a form that already has entries.
- You changed which fields are used as location sources.
- Existing entries are not appearing in proximity search results.
- Existing entries are not appearing as markers on the map.
- You imported entries into Gravity Forms and need to index their locations.
Entries submitted or updated after Entry Geocoding is enabled are indexed automatically. The importer is mainly for existing entries that were created before location indexing was configured.
Enable Entry Geocoding
Open the Target Form settings and locate the Entry Geocoding section.
Enable Enable Entry Geocoding to allow Gravity Search to index selected fields as searchable locations.
Fields to Geocode
Use Fields to Geocode to select which Target Form fields should be saved as location sources.
Supported field types include:
- Geocoder fields: use stored geocoder data when available.
- Address fields: geocode the saved address value.
- Single Line Text fields: geocode the saved text value as an address.
- Paragraph Text fields: geocode the saved text value as an address.
Geocoder fields are usually the most reliable source because they can already contain structured location data. Address and text fields may require geocoding requests during import.
Whenever possible, use Geocoder Fields instead of free-text address fields because they already contain validated location data.
Before You Begin
- Enable Entry Geocoding.
- Select one or more Fields to Geocode.
- Save the Target Form settings.
Run the Importer
After enabling Entry Geocoding and selecting fields, use Import Existing Entry Locations to process existing entries.
The importer processes entries in batches and saves valid locations into the Gravity Search location index.
- Existing entries are processed and indexed using the selected location fields.
- Geocoder fields can import stored location payloads directly.
- Address and text fields may send geocoding requests.
- Large forms may take several batches to complete.
After Importing
Once the import is complete, open the Search Form connected to this Target Form and configure the location source settings.
In the Search settings, select the imported location fields under Location Data Scope or Location Source Fields. These selected sources are used for proximity search, distance calculations, and map markers.
After selecting the location sources, test the search page with:
- A proximity search address and radius.
- Map output enabled.
- Distance sorting or distance display if configured.
To learn how location data is stored and used by Gravity Search, see Understanding Location Data & Proximity Search.
