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Getting started with OS OpenSpace

When you have registered and clicked to accept the terms of the OS OpenSpace Developer Agreement, we will send you an API key, which is a unique alphanumeric code

You will need to include this code in your web application when using the API. This key will only work with the URL you provide when you register.

The advantage of using an API is that you don't need any knowledge of geographical information systems (GIS). You just need basic knowledge of HTML and JavaScript; however, if you don't have this you can use the tutorials and sample code to guide you.

To Use OS OpenSpace you will need:

  • an internet Browser
  • notepad or another text file program (to edit and save your code)
  • active url for the site that you wish to display your mapping on
  • an email address
  • to register for an API Key
  • to create the JavaScript code to embed a map into your application, you can use Web-Map Builder for this
  • to save your code as an html file.
  • to upload your html file into your website, most hosts offer an ftp server with your url.

If developing is not for you, you can use Get a Map™, a service that allows you to locate, plot and save routes and print A5 sized map extracts for free. Terms and conditions apply. We also have an OpenData viewer or download service.

Supported browsers
At the moment OS OpenSpace supports IE6+, Firefox 1.5+, Safari 2+ Opera 8+ and Google Chrome 1+.

If you are working in IE8 and have used the web-map builder application, you may come across “display me using modern standards”. To overcome this, you will need to enable and turn on Compatibility View mode for all web pages and websites:

  • click on Tools menu,
  • select Compatibility View Settings.
  • In the “Compatibility View Settings” dialog, tick the check box for Display all websites in Compatibility View option.
  • Click on Close button when done.

Data usage
A single API key may access data up to the following daily usage limits:

  • 65 000 tiles of mapping data in a 24-hour period.
  • 1 000 Place name look-ups (Gazetteer service) in a 24-hour period
  • 1 000 Postcode look-ups in a 24-hour period
  • 1 000 Boundary look-Ups in a 24 hour period

OS OpenSpace is a service to provide individuals and businesses with an opportunity to experiment and innovate with our data. We believe the data limits per day are reasonably set but recognise the limits won’t necessarily support applications that have been publicised or distributed to a potential large audience. If at any point your application becomes so popular that these limits are not enough, please contact us.

Your web application users may see a white tile displaying an appropriate message if you exceed your data usage limits.

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For general enquiries, complaints, feedback or suggestions, email: customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk or call us on 08456 05 05 05