Correctly parse and format UK Addresses in Royal Mail's Postcode Address File

Parses Postcode Address File records into correctly formatted address recognised by Royal Mail according to its Clear Addressing Guidelines.

Produces consistent address lines, a post town line and a postcode line.

Features

• Correctly format UK addresses using Royal Mail's Postcode Address File
• Produces 3 address lines and premise attributes based on building_name, sub_building_name and building_number
• Address sorting function
• Extensive test suite

Links

• API Documentation
• More information on Postcode Address File data attributes
• PAF Programmer's Guide
• Try uk-clear-addressing on RunKit
• Consume this library as a HTTP Service with PAF API

Getting Started

Installation

npm install uk-clear-addressing

Formatting Addresses

Extract formatted address lines

Use the Address class to parse a PAF Record

Formatted address lines can be extracted using instance accessors like line_1, line_2, line_3 and premise.

const { Address } = require('uk-clear-addressing');

const pafRecord = {
  postcode: "WS11 5SB",
  post_town: "CANNOCK",
  thoroughfare: "Pye Green Road",
  building_name: "Flower House 189A",
  organisation_name: 'S D Alcott Florists',
};

const {
  line_1,
  line_2,
  line_3,
  premise,
  post_town,
  postcode
} = new Address(pafRecord);

Extract a formatted address object

Alternatively extract a formatted address object using .formattedAddress.

const { Address } = require('uk-clear-addressing');

const address = new Address({
  postcode: "WS11 5SB",
  post_town: "CANNOCK",
  thoroughfare: "Pye Green Road",
  building_name: "Flower House 189A",
  organisation_name: 'S D Alcott Florists',
});

console.log(address.formattedAddress());
//  {
//    postcode: 'WS11 5SB',
//    post_town: 'CANNOCK',
//    line_1: 'S D Alcott Florists',
//    line_2: 'Flower House',
//    line_3: '189a Pye Green Road',
//    premise: "Flower House, 189a"
//  }

Sorting Addresses

Address.sort implements a comparison function, which allows you to compare Address instances. This can readily be passed into Array.prototype.sort

const addresses = await query("SELECT * FROM postcode_address_file LIMIT 10");

addresses
  .map(address => new Address(address)) // Instantiate an `Address` instances
  .sort(Address.sort)                   // Now sort
  // Print an example to console
  .forEach(address => console.log(address.line_1));
  // "190 Elm Road"
  // "190a Elm Road"
  // "191 Elm Road"
  // "191a Elm Road"
  // "192 Elm Road"
  // "193 Elm Road"
  // "193a Elm Road"
  // "197 Elm Road"
  // "197a Elm Road"
  // "199 Elm Road"

Testing

Many of the regular and edge cases are documented in the test. To run the test suite:

npm test

If you find an edge case, please feel free to make a pull request. However be sure to include a test which documents the specific case being handled.

Parameters

Below is a list of address fragments. For the address to be properly formatted, you need to pass in all the address fragments available to you.

Premises Elements

• Sub Building Name (e.g. ‘Flat 1’)
• Building Name (e.g. ‘Rose Cottage’)
• Building Number (e.g. ‘22’)
• Organisation Name (e.g. ‘Cath’s Cakes’)
• PO Box number

Thoroughfare Elements

• Dependant Thoroughfare Name (e.g. ‘Cheshunt’)
• Dependant Thoroughfare Descriptor (e.g. ‘Mews’ or ‘Court’)
• Thoroughfare Name (e.g. ‘Cypress’)
• Thoroughfare Descriptor (e.g. ‘Road’ or ‘Street’)

Locality Elements

• Double Dependant Locality (e.g. ‘Tyre Industrial Estate’)
• Dependant Locality (e.g. ‘Blantyre’)
• Post Town (e.g. ‘GLASGOW’)

Licence

MIT