Chart & Visualization Issues

How to Fix Excel Maps Assigning New Zealand Postcodes to Austria

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users experience an issue where Excel Maps misinterprets New Zealand postcodes and plots them in Austria.

Fix Excel Maps Assigning New Zealand Postcodes to Austria

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a map chart using only postcode data for locations within New Zealand.
Observed behavior: Excel Maps incorrectly geocodes the New Zealand postcodes to locations in Austria due to ambiguous geographic data.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active internet connection, as Excel Maps requires online services via Bing to accurately process and plot geographic data.

Solution 1Recommended

Add Specific Country and Region Columns

The most effective way to resolve geocoding ambiguity is to provide Excel with explicit country and region details alongside the postcodes.

Because some 4-digit New Zealand postcodes share the same format as postcodes in Austria, Bing Maps may default to Europe if the country is not specified. Adding explicit geographical context forces Excel to plot the data correctly.

Insert New Location Columns

Right-click the column header next to your postcodes and select 'Insert' to create new columns for 'City' and 'Country'.

Input Explicit Data

Fill out the new columns with the specific city (e.g., Christchurch) and the exact country (New Zealand) for every corresponding postcode row.

Generate the Map Chart

Highlight your entire data range including the new Country and City columns, navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon, and click 'Maps' to generate a new, accurate map chart.

Best Practice: Always include a 'Country' column when working with international geographic data to prevent Bing Maps from making incorrect location assumptions.

Solution 2

Format Locations as Geography Data Types

Using built-in Geography data types helps Excel securely identify and verify exact geographical locations before mapping them.

Solution 3

Update Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365

Outdated software versions can sometimes cause bugs with the Bing Maps integration. Ensuring your Office suite is up to date can resolve unexpected geocoding behavior.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Your Data Visualization Needs

If you frequently encounter geocoding errors or complex charting issues in Microsoft Excel, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with powerful spreadsheet and data visualization tools.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing Excel file to instantly resume working on your data.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formats, ensuring your data remains intact.Rich library of 2D and 3D charts to handle extensive data visualization without mapping errors.Free and lightweight architecture, ensuring fast loading and smooth performance on older devices.Familiar, intuitive user interface that makes migrating from MS Office completely seamless.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel Maps confuse New Zealand postcodes with Austrian ones?

Excel relies on Bing Maps for its geocoding engine. Because many 4-digit postcodes in New Zealand mathematically overlap with Austrian postcodes, Bing defaults to Austria if a country identifier is not explicitly provided in the dataset.

How do I force Excel to recognize my data specifically as New Zealand?

You must include a dedicated 'Country' column in your data table, fill it with 'New Zealand', and ensure this new column is included in the data range selected when you insert your Map Chart.

Can I use the Geography Data Type without a Microsoft 365 subscription?

No, the advanced Geography Data Type requires an active Microsoft 365 subscription and an active internet connection to securely fetch and verify the geographical data from Bing.

Excel & Data Problems