How to automate address list processing
After logging in to your account, Smarty offers 5 bulk address processing tools for you to try out. This article describes how to automate bulk address validation so that you don't have to copy and paste each list manually and can focus on your organization’s success instead.
To automate list processing, you will need a programmer in your organization to write code using one of the SDKs provided by Smarty.
Let’s explore the tools you can use and what each one requires for an automation nation, baby! Smarty has:
| Tool | Description | APIs used |
|---|---|---|
| Web interface/online bulk tool | This online tool lets you easily upload and process both US and international address lists. It can also handle lists of city, state, and ZIP Code combinations. |
US Street API
International Street Address API US ZIP Code API |
| Microsoft Excel Add-in | Validate US addresses within Microsoft Excel. | US Street API |
| Google Sheets Add-on | Validate US addresses within Google Sheets. | US Street API |
| Command Line Interface | Quickly process your largest US and international files via CLI. |
US Street API
International Street Address API |
| QGIS Address Verification and Geocoding Plugin | Validate, geocode, and map your U.S. address data using this single utility. | US Street API |
How our web interface/online bulk tool works
First, it'll be helpful to understand how the Bulk Address Validation Tool on our website works. When you paste in a delimited text file (like a CSV or tab-delimited file) and submit it for processing, the following things happen:
-
The input text is parsed line by line to break each address into its components
(
street,city,state,ZIP). - The addresses are submitted to our API, 100 at a time, using an HTTP request with credentials from your account.
- The responses from each API request are lined up with the input file so that each input row has a 1:1 match with output, even if the address on that row didn't validate.
- Results are aggregated into a delimited text string, which you can copy and paste back into a file to save it.
Writing your own bulk address validation tool
Your own address list program can follow a similar procedure. With a program built specifically for your system and workflow, you can be free of the need for tedious copying and pasting and manually saving files. In the browser, copy and paste is the only way to save files due to security restrictions that prevent web pages from writing to your file system. Using a script or program outside of the browser will also allow you to process very large lists, whereas the browser will probably choke on lists larger than about 25,000 lines (exact count depends on your specific system, browser, and file).
Our API can support multiple concurrent requests from each client, so feel free to parallelize if your network can handle the load and your program is thread-safe. See our Best Practices page for more information about optimizing your use of our service.
For even MORE information on how to do this, check out Bulk Address Validation Tool: Web interface for quick-start videos, step-by-step instructions, and examples!
How our Microsoft Excel Add-in works
The Smarty Excel Address Verification Add-in lets users validate US addresses and return metadata directly within Microsoft Excel. With a Rooftop Geocoding license, it can also provide rooftop-precision geocodes.
After installing the plugin, users authenticate by entering their Auth ID and Token from their Smarty account.
These credentials are stored securely in the sheet, allowing for collaborative use.
Address data should be organized with clearly labeled column headers (like street,
city, state, zipcode) or a single
address field. (Adding a secondary column is optional but improves
accuracy for units like apartments or suites.)
Once set up, users can highlight the rows they want to verify and choose from three result types: Validate Only, Validate + Geocode, or Validate + All Metadata.
The add-in allows users to select between strict or enhanced matching and choose whether results are returned in the same sheet or on a new one.
For even MORE information on how to do this, check out the Microsoft Excel Address Verification Add-in for screenshots of step-by-step instructions and important tips to remember!
How our Google Sheets Add-on works
The Smarty Address Verification Google Sheets Add-on allows users to validate US addresses and return metadata directly within Google Sheets. With a Rooftop Geocoding license, it can also return rooftop-precision geocodes.
After installing the add-on, users can access it from the “Extensions” menu.
Authentication is simple—just enter your Smarty Auth ID and Token, which are securely stored so that others can collaborate on the same sheet without re-entering credentials.
Data must be organized in clearly labeled columns, such as street,
city, state, and zipcode, or as a single
address column, similarly to the Excel add-in.
Once your data is formatted, open the add-on from Extensions > Smarty Address Verification > Show Tools.
You can choose a strict or enhanced match type, select a geocode precision level (ZIP9 or rooftop), and decide whether to place results in the same sheet or a new one.
You can then highlight the address rows you want verified and pick from three result types: Validate Only, Validate + Geocode, or Validate + All Metadata.
If you need even MORE information on how to do this, check out the Google Sheets Add-on Extension for quick-start videos, step-by-step setup instructions, and helpful screenshots!
How our CLI works
The Smarty Command-Line Interface (CLI) is a powerful tool for bulk address validation—designed for programmers and savvy non-programmers alike who need to process large volumes of US or international addresses quickly.
It supports millions of address lookups and is ideal for one-off bulk jobs.
If automation or production-level integration is your end goal, Smarty recommends using their SDKs or API instead, since the CLI isn’t built for automated deployment environments.
To get started, download the appropriate version of the CLI for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Installation is as simple as extracting the contents of the archive, which includes the CLI executable, sample input/output files, and supporting documentation. You’ll work from the terminal, using command-line arguments to pass in your API credentials and identify the input file containing your address data.
Input files should be in CSV or PSV format, with headers like street,
city, state, zipcode for US addresses, or
country, address1, locality, etc. for international ones.
A geocode column or the -geocode flag can be used to include
latitude/longitude in the results.
Running a job is straightforward. From the terminal, you’ll use a command like
smartylist -auth-id="123" -auth-token="Abc" -input="myfile.csv". The CLI will
validate your inputs, preview the configuration, and ask for confirmation before proceeding.
Results are saved to an output file automatically placed next to the input, with all original
data intact and Smarty’s validation results appended. A log file is also created, capturing the
process and any errors—handy for debugging or support tickets.
Dozens of optional parameters let you fine-tune behavior. You can specify the API to use
(us-street, international-street, or us-enrichment),
rate-limit the requests, designate specific output or log file paths, filter enrichment data
fields, or silence diagnostic output. There’s also support for proxies and Unicode, and users on
slow networks can extend timeouts.
One of the key operational considerations is versioning. Smarty enforces version checks to ensure users aren’t running outdated software. Minor or patch version mismatches will still allow processing, but major version mismatches will halt execution until the latest version is installed—so keep it updated!
If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty, check out Bulk Address Validation: Command-line interface for extra links, examples, and sample code.
How our QGIS Address Verification and Geocoding Plugin works
The Smarty QGIS Geocoding Plugin brings address geocoding directly into the QGIS desktop app—ideal for anyone who wants to map and analyze address data visually.
The plugin leverages the US Street Address and Autocomplete Pro APIs, allowing for both single and batch address lookups using either full addresses or component inputs.
While single lookups are free and don’t require a subscription, batch geocoding requires a US Rooftop Geocoding license and valid API credentials.
Getting started is simple: within QGIS, head to the "Plugins" menu, search for "Smarty," and install the plugin. After installation, the Smarty plugin icon will appear in your toolbar, giving you access to both single-address and batch geocoding tools.
Batch geocoding offers advanced features, which can be unlocked by adding your Smarty Auth ID
and Token. Users upload a CSV containing address information—either as a single column or broken
into multiple fields—and the plugin maps those fields to the appropriate data (like
street, city, and ZIP Code).
If a primary key (unique ID) is included, it’ll be preserved in the output. If not, Smarty auto-generates one.
Processed address data is saved to a new CSV and optionally displayed in a new map layer. Each geocoded address point appears on the map at the correct lat/long coordinates, using a customizable symbol and optional label.
Smarty supports a wide array of symbol shapes—from stars to triangles to arrows—and you can modify their appearance afterward within QGIS using standard symbology tools.
Beyond visual mapping, Smarty also returns a ton of valuable metadata. For each address, you’ll receive ZIP+4, rooftop-level geocodes (if licensed), city, county name, county FIPS, time zone, daylight savings observance, congressional district, and RDI (residential/commercial) status. Smarty also alerts users if an address is vacant, inactive, non-postal, or tied to a PO Box.
The plugin is robust enough for simple address lookups or deep batch analysis. However, it's designed for stable QGIS releases—not betas—and currently only addresses US locations. Nevertheless, it’s a great tool for telecom planners, city officials, real estate analysts, and anyone else mapping verified US address data spatially.
Need even more information on how this can be done? Check out QGIS Geocoding Plugin - US Addresses for screenshots and a more in-depth walkthrough!
Conclusion
As you can see, we take bulk address verification very seriously. It’s a powerful tool that helps any company with a large list of addresses to level up their verification game in the most efficient and accurate way. How you choose to validate is up to you. We work hard to keep our tools online and fast, and we promise that you'll be happy with them!