Google Maps Geocoding APi not returning lat and long

Question

I'm utilizing the Geocoding API for converting and address to latitude and longitude coordinate values. I do receive results but the lat and long are empty. Other SO posts mention the Geocoder requests are asynchronous and Google just doesn't return the data fast enough. I'm not understanding how to fix this for my code if that is the problem.

var coords = [];
var address = '1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500';
var geocoder = new google.maps.Geocoder();
geocoder.geocode({'address': address}, function( results, status ) {
        if (status === google.maps.GeocoderStatus.OK) {
            coords[0] = results[0].geometry.location.lat();
            coords[1] = results[0].geometry.location.lng();
        }
        else {
            coords = 'Could not retrieve coordinates for: ' + address;
        }
    });
return coords;

Even if I use a well-known address I still get no lat or long.

Results object:

Is this really the problem or is there something wrong with the code I'm using? How can I fix this?

You can't return anything from an asynchronous callback function, you need to use the data there when/where it exists — geocodezip
Then what's the point of this documentation: developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/geocoding It mentions everything that is returned, including the geometry: {location: LatLng}... which is what I need. — JsusSalv
Related/possible duplicate question: Why is my variable unaltered after I modify it inside of a function? - Asynchronous code reference. The lat/lng are returned (if the result is "OK"), they are just returned in the callback function after the value of coords is returned to the calling function. — geocodezip
Good link but that's what I was referring to. It sounds like it may be an async issue but I don't understand how to fix that. How does passing the results to another function give Google more time to respond with the full info requested? I can't imagine I am the only dev to ever come across this problem. There's just no info online with examples on a possible fix. — JsusSalv
One option (which is described in the linked question) is a promise. — geocodezip

JsusSalv JsusSalv · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-22T01:56:55

Ended up using this to solve the issue:

var request = new XMLHttpRequest();
request.open( 'GET', 'https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=' + address, false);
request.send( null );

Though, I had to set false in order to keep the request synchronous. Seems this is/will be deprecated but for my purposes it should be fine. I can now parse through the json by doing the following:

var request = new XMLHttpRequest();
request.open( 'GET', 'https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=' + address, false);
request.send( null );

This is fine I think. Just wish the Geocoder documentation made note of the asynchronous issues and provided better solutions.

Google Maps Geocoding APi not returning lat and long

2 Answers