Set Up the USPS Zip Code Look Up Feature

The USPS zip code look up feature is only available for schools licensed to use Candidate features.

Using the USPS zip code look up feature, the form user enters their zip code and the corresponding city and state fields are automatically completed. Once the USPS Zip Code feature is set up, it does not have to be set up again for other forms.

User Form Example

Set Up Zip Code Look Up

Step 1: Set up an account with the USPS (first time only)

1. If your school does not have a business account with the USPS, you'll need to create one.

This is a free service. You only need to create an account.

2. Access the USPS business website.

3. Sign up for the account. USPS will send you an API Account URL and Username. USPS hosts the API and your school sets up the account to access it.

Do not share your account information with other departments/schools or USPS will suspend your account.

Step 2: Enter your USPS credentials in the campus portal database configuration settings (first time only)

The following steps involve updating the configuration table. You may need to work with your IT administrator to make these updates.

1. Access your school's campus portal database.

2. Access the dbo.FWK_ConfigSettings table.

3. In the C_USPS API Url row, enter the USPS-provided API URL.

4. In the C_USPS Username row, enter the USPS-provided username.

5. Click Save.

6. To commit the changes, restart the IIS (IISRESET).

Jenzabar recommends doing this off hours as it will temporarily disrupt your campus portal for connected users.

Step 3: Configure the zip code and city/state fields on your form

If you are still setting up your form and haven't added the zip code field yet, you can return to these steps later.

1. Log in to the campus portal as an administrator and access EX FormFlow - Forms.

2. Click Manage Forms. The Manage Forms page appears.

3. Access the form you are working with.

4. Right-click on the Zip Code question and select Properties. The Edit Item window appears.

5. Click Settings. The Settings tab appears.

6. From the Validation drop-down, select ZipCode.

7. Click Address Tools. The Address Tools tab appears.

8. From the Populate City drop-down, select the Unique ID for your City form question.

9. From the Populate State drop-down, select the Unique ID for your State form question.

10. Click Save.

Step 4: Set up the zip code data validation (optional)

Jenzabar recommends setting up a zip code validation as a best practice. This ensures the user enters a valid zip code format otherwise it cannot be used by the API to find the corresponding city and state.

1. Log in to the campus portal as an administrator and access EX FormFlow - Forms.

2. Click Manage Forms. The Manage Forms page appears.

3. Access the Data Validations page:

o Click Site Administrators. When the Site Administrators page appears, click Data Validation.

o Click on the name of the form you are working with. When the form appears, select Data Validation from the Tools menu.

4. From the Tools menu, select Data Validation. The Data Validations page appears.

5. From the Validations drop-down, select ZipCode. The pattern and message that appears when the form user enters an invalid format is provided by Jenzabar. You can update the Invalid Message as needed.

6. Click Save Validation.

FAQs

How much does the USPS zip code look up feature cost?

Nothing. This feature is provided free of charge by the USPS. You only need to create a USPS account.