> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide.md).

# AddressBase Getting Started Guide

This getting started guide provides instructions for using three AddressBase products in different software applications. Users with limited technical knowledge will be able to follow this guide.

{% hint style="info" %}
These instructions show you how to get started with [AddressBase](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase.md), [AddressBase Plus](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase-plus.md) and [AddressBase Plus Islands](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase-plus-islands.md).
{% endhint %}

AddressBase products are created by bringing together different address sources:

* Local Authority Gazetteers across Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
* Royal Mail PAF data
* References to Valuation Office Agency (VOA) data
* Additional addresses and coordinates from Ordnance Survey

The data is supplied as comma-separated values (CSV) or Geography Markup Language (GML).

<figure><img src="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FixjfpHyNW9VPyMzZ7grr%2FAddressBase-4.png?alt=media&amp;token=e23c78b1-4c50-4df2-833d-d6d88d6529b8" alt="Example image showing AddressBase data."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This getting started guide shows you how to obtain a data supply, load and work with AddressBase data. It includes the following sections:

* [Prerequisites](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide/prerequisites.md)
* [Data supply](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide/data-supply.md)
* [Working with CSV data](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide/working-with-csv-data.md)
* [Working with GML data](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide/working-with-gml-data.md)
* [Working with COU data](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide/working-with-cou-data.md)
* [Creating a single-line or multi-line address](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide/creating-a-single-line-or-multi-line-address.md)
* [Searching for addresses](/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide/searching-for-addresses.md)


---

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