Add Geolocation Column to SharePoint

Unfortunately, the new “Geolocation” column in SP2013 doesn’t come ‘turned on’ by default.

I was able to easily add it as a ‘site column’ – and then can add to any list.

• Open Visual Studio project
• Create a C# console app
• Add a reference to the following :
  • Microsoft.SharePoint.Client
  • Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime
• Include the following code :

ClientContext context = new ClientContext(“https//server/site”);
Web web = context.Web;
context.ExecuteQuery();

var newField = web.Fields.AddFieldAsXml(“<Field Type=’Geolocation’ DisplayName=’Map GeoLocation’/>”, false, AddFieldOptions.DefaultValue);

context.ExecuteQuery();

After executing the project, you should be able to go back to SharePoint – and do the following ;

Edit properties of a list, and click “add from existing site columns” :

Choose the new column :

And there it is :

That’s about it – too easy, eh !?

** The same code should work for Office 365 – I haven’t tried it yet though – will update soon…