Postcode Address File: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:40, 9 August 2005

Revision as of 12:58, 9 August 2005

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The '''Postcode Address File (PAF)''' is a data file, available from the British [[Royal Mail|Post Office]], which is used to validate postal [[address]]es against [[postcode]]s and to look up postcodes for 27 million addresses.

It is used to validate postal [[address]]es and look up [[postcode]]s. It holds the correct and full postal details for over 27 million UK addresses and is available in a variety of formats including [[Digital Audio Tape]] and compact disk. A charge is made for lookup services or wholesale supply of PAF data.

Despite it being basic infrastructure, the Post Office restricts access to it, charging companies for postcode lookup services or supply of the entire PAF in a variety of formats.

==Structure of the file==

Line 26 ⟶ 27:

'''PO Box''' PO Box 6

==Application==

The data is used by a wide range of organisations for a variety of activities other than directing mail, such as marketing, government statistics, calculating insurance premiums and credit referencing.

==Alias data==

The '''Alias File''' is a supplimentary file containing "postally-not-required" data, details that have changed over time, or have been slightly amended by the public, and then used. This file is used to identify these elements and cross-reference with the correct postal address.

==See also==

*[[Post town]]

*[[Postcode]]

==External links==

*[http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump2?mediaId=400085&catId=5200019 PAF from Royal Mail]

*[http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump2?mediaId=400086&catId=5200003 Alias File from Royal Mail]

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