Location (Google Maps)
This article walks you through the basics of the Location (Google Maps) plugin and guides you to configure this plugin step by step.
What is the Location (Google Maps) Plugin?
Location (Google Maps) plugin offers geolocation, reverse geolocation, facilitating location retrieval and data input for forms. It allows you to obtain location-related information via Single Line or Multi Line fields, such as latitude, longitude, postal code, detailed address, and so on. You can also adjust the retrieved location as permitted.
What can I Do with the Plugin?
The Location (Google Maps) plugin is versatile.
If an employee is making attendance remotely, this plugin can be applied to obtain his/her location for remote clock-ins, ensuring efficient and accurate record-keeping for employers.
Similarly, when managing attendance for events and classes, educational institutions and event organizers can seamlessly track attendance at seminars, workshops, and conferences. Attendees can conveniently check in remotely, simplifying event logistics.
This plugin also fits perfectly for optimizing inventory management. Businesses can monitor the movement and location of items within warehouses or between different locations, ensuring precision and efficiency.
Demonstration
In the case of remote work, you can use this plugin to keep an eye on remote employees and verify if they are working from approved locations. When an employee clicks the Clock In button, the current location is automatically retrieved. A map will pop out, allowing the employee to adjust their location within an approved radius based on your settings. After that, the employee can simply close the window, and the modified location will be automatically recorded in the form.
Prerequisite
1. The Location (Google Maps) plugin is a paid plugin. Each location query, including the debug tests, will cost you around $0.054 (dollar).
Note:
The Google Maps Platform provides the location service. Click here for detailed guidance from Google support to view and download the cost details of your invoice or statement.
How to Connect Google with Jodoo Using the Plugin?
Step 1 Install the Plugin
Follow the steps to install the plugin:
- Click here to visit Market.
- Search for the Location (Google Maps) plugin.
- Open the Location (Google Maps) plugin, and click the Install button in the popped-out window to install it.
Note:
For details, see the section "Installing Plugin(s)" in Plugin Market.
Step 2 Enable the Plugin
On the Plugin page, click
Step 3 Get the request parameters
The Google Maps API Key
The Google Maps Platform provides the location service. You need to enter the Google Maps API key before using the plugin to connect with the Google Maps Platform.
Follow the steps to create and verify the key:
1. Click here and log into your Google account.
2. On the APIs & Services page, click to enable the Maps JavaScript API, Places API, and Geocoding API.
Once the API is successfully enabled, the option will change from 
3. On the Keys & Credentials page, click to open/create a project.
4. Click CREATE CREDENTIALS to generate an API key, and make sure to copy it.
5. Verify the copied key on Jodoo.
Notes:
1. The new API keys are listed under API keys.
2. For more guidance on managing Google APIs, see Use API Keys.
Adjust Location Within Radius (in meters)
You can adjust the location to minimize errors when filling out a form. By default, it is set to 0, meaning members can not adjust their location. If you leave the field blank, there will be no restrictions on adjusting the location. If you enter any unexpected value, for example, a number less than zero, it will default to 0.
There are two options for setting Adjust Location Within Radius (in meters):
- If you select Custom, manually enter a number.
- If you select Field Value, select a Number field.
What are the Response Parameters the Plugin Returns?
You can save the retrieved location information into the Single Line and Multi Line fields.
The plugin can return the following location information:
Parameter | Description |
Latitude | Returns the latitude of the tracked location. Defined using numerals that have a precision of six decimal places. Latitudes can take any value between -90 and 90. Precision beyond the six decimal places is ignored. |
Longitude | Returns the longitude of the tracked location. Defined using numerals that have a precision of six decimal places. Longitude can take any value between -180 and 180. Precision beyond the six decimal places is ignored. |
Current Location | Returns a string containing the human-readable address of this location. The formatted address is logically composed of one or more address components. For example, the address "111 8th Avenue, New York, NY" consists of the following components: "111" (the street number), "8th Avenue" (the route), "New York" (the city) and "NY" (the US state). |
Country/Region | Returns the national political entity and is typically the highest order type returned by the Geocoder. |
Postal Code | Returns a postal code as used to address postal mail within the country. |
State/Province | Returns a first-order civil entity below the country level. |
City | Returns an incorporated city or town political entity. |
Block | Returns a first-order civil entity below a locality. |
Street | Returns a precise street address. |
Street Number | Returns the precise street number. |
How to Use the Plugin after Enabling it?
You can use the plugin in a form through automations or front-end events. Take remote attendance as an example.
1. Create an Employee Clock In form with the following fields:
Field Name | Field Type | Field Properties |
Employee Clock In | Divider | / |
Name | Member |
|
Department | Department |
|
Clocked in at | Date&Time |
|
Location | Single Line | Untick Edit for Field Permissions. |
Clock in | Button | For details, see the next section, "Configuring the Clock in Field." |
2. Configuring the Clock in Field:
A: Drag and drop to add a Button field.
B: Go to Field Properties > Button Text, and change the button text to Clock in.
C: Open Settings for Triggered Action, and click Add Action.
D. Set Event Name of Front-End Event as Clock in location.
E. Make the below settings for Triggered Action:
- Select the plugin: select the Location (Google Maps) plugin.
- Enter the Google Maps API Key. For how to get the Google Maps API Key, see
- Set Adjust Location Within Radius (in meters) as Custom, and enter a custom number, such as 50.
- Click Add, and set the rule as saving Current Location to the Location field. Click Save after the settings.
FAQ(s)
Q: In which language the location information is displayed?
A: For a computer or PWA on mobile, the plugin shows location information in the browser's language. In the Jodoo app on mobile, the plugin displays the location information in the device's language.
Q: Do I need to grant the location permission?
A: Yes. The location permission needs to be enabled for the browser, app, and device before you can use the plugin. This ensures that the plugin can access your device's location.
Q: Why doesn't location tracking work sometimes?
A: When you are using the plugin on a computer, the success rate and accuracy of location tracking may be influenced by your device and web browser. Here are some scenarios in which locating may not work:
- Your device doesn't support GPS.
- Location permission is not enabled for our plugin (Jodoo).
- The success rate for location service on web browsers is relatively low. The success rate and accuracy can vary depending on the web browser you're using.
Browser | Success Rate | Accuracy |
Safari | High | High |
Edge | Moderate | Low |
Chrome | Low | High |
To minimize location errors, configure the Adjust Location Within Radius (in meters). This feature allows members to manually correct their location if needed.
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