Excel is one of the most widely used tools for data analysis and visualization. However, when it comes to calculating distance between two locations, it can be quite challenging to do so manually. This is where the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API comes in handy. With the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API, you can easily calculate the distance between two locations and integrate it with your Excel spreadsheets. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to use the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API in Excel.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Excel is one of the most widely used tools for data analysis and visualization. However, when it comes to calculating distance between two locations, it can be quite challenging to do so manually. This is where the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API comes in handy. With the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API, you can easily calculate the distance between two locations and integrate it with your Excel spreadsheets. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to use the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API in Excel.
What is the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API?
The Bing Maps Distance Calculator API is a web service provided by Microsoft that allows you to calculate the distance between two locations. It uses the latest mapping technology to provide accurate and reliable results. The API can be accessed through a RESTful web service and can be integrated with various applications, including Excel.
How does the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API work?
The Bing Maps Distance Calculator API uses a combination of latitude and longitude coordinates to calculate the distance between two locations. The API takes two sets of coordinates as input and returns the distance between them in kilometers or miles.
How to use the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API in Excel?
In order to use the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API in Excel, you need to follow these steps:
- Sign up for a Bing Maps API key.
- Open Excel and create a new spreadsheet.
- Click on the "Developer" tab and select "Visual Basic".
- In the "Visual Basic Editor", click on "Tools" and select "References".
- Select "Microsoft XML, v6.0" and click on "OK".
- Copy and paste the following VBA code:
Function GetDistance(start As String, dest As String) As Double Dim objHTTP As Object Dim strURL As String Dim strResult As String Dim xmlDoc As Object Dim strDistance As String Set objHTTP = CreateObject("MSXML2.ServerXMLHTTP") strURL ="http://dev.virtualearth.net/REST/V1/Routes/Driving?o=xml&wp.0=" & start & "&wp.1=" & dest & "&&key=[YOUR_API_KEY]" objHTTP.Open "GET", strURL, False objHTTP.send strResult = objHTTP.responseText Set xmlDoc = CreateObject("MSXML2.DOMDocument") xmlDoc.LoadXML (strResult) strDistance = xmlDoc.SelectSingleNode("//Distance").Text GetDistance = CDbl(strDistance) End FunctionReplace [YOUR_API_KEY] with your Bing Maps API key.
You can now use the "GetDistance" function in your Excel spreadsheet to calculate the distance between two locations. Simply enter the start and destination addresses as arguments for the function.
Benefits of using the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API in Excel
Here are some of the benefits of using the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API in Excel:
- Accuracy - The Bing Maps Distance Calculator API provides accurate and reliable results.
- Efficiency - The API allows you to calculate distances quickly and easily.
- Integration - The API can be integrated with various applications, including Excel.
- Customization - The API allows you to customize the output format and units of measurement.
FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to use the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API?
A: The Bing Maps Distance Calculator API offers a free tier with up to 50,000 transactions per month. Beyond that, pricing is based on the number of transactions and starts at $0.50 per 1,000 transactions.
Q: Can I use the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API for commercial purposes?
A: Yes, the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API can be used for commercial purposes. However, you may need to purchase a commercial license depending on the number of transactions you plan to make.
Q: Is the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API available globally?
A: Yes, the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API is available globally and supports multiple languages and units of measurement.
Conclusion
The Bing Maps Distance Calculator API is a powerful tool that can help you calculate the distance between two locations with ease. By integrating it with Excel, you can streamline your data analysis and visualization workflows. We hope that this guide has provided you with the knowledge you need to start using the Bing Maps Distance Calculator API in Excel.
