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azure-maps-search-dotnet skill

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This skill helps you integrate Azure Maps services in .NET applications, enabling geocoding, routing, rendering, geolocation, and weather data retrieval.

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---
name: azure-maps-search-dotnet
description: |
  Azure Maps SDK for .NET. Location-based services including geocoding, routing, rendering, geolocation, and weather. Use for address search, directions, map tiles, IP geolocation, and weather data. Triggers: "Azure Maps", "MapsSearchClient", "MapsRoutingClient", "MapsRenderingClient", "geocoding .NET", "route directions", "map tiles", "geolocation".
package: Azure.Maps.Search
---

# Azure Maps (.NET)

Azure Maps SDK for .NET providing location-based services: geocoding, routing, rendering, geolocation, and weather.

## Installation

```bash
# Search (geocoding, reverse geocoding)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Search --prerelease

# Routing (directions, route matrix)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Routing --prerelease

# Rendering (map tiles, static images)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Rendering --prerelease

# Geolocation (IP to location)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Geolocation --prerelease

# Weather
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Weather --prerelease

# Resource Management (account management, SAS tokens)
dotnet add package Azure.ResourceManager.Maps --prerelease

# Required for authentication
dotnet add package Azure.Identity
```

**Current Versions**:
- `Azure.Maps.Search`: v2.0.0-beta.5
- `Azure.Maps.Routing`: v1.0.0-beta.4
- `Azure.Maps.Rendering`: v2.0.0-beta.1
- `Azure.Maps.Geolocation`: v1.0.0-beta.3
- `Azure.ResourceManager.Maps`: v1.1.0-beta.2

## Environment Variables

```bash
AZURE_MAPS_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY=<your-subscription-key>
AZURE_MAPS_CLIENT_ID=<your-client-id>  # For Entra ID auth
```

## Authentication

### Subscription Key (Shared Key)

```csharp
using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

var subscriptionKey = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_MAPS_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY");
var credential = new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey);

var client = new MapsSearchClient(credential);
```

### Microsoft Entra ID (Recommended for Production)

```csharp
using Azure.Identity;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential();
var clientId = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_MAPS_CLIENT_ID");

var client = new MapsSearchClient(credential, clientId);
```

### Shared Access Signature (SAS)

```csharp
using Azure;
using Azure.Core;
using Azure.Identity;
using Azure.ResourceManager;
using Azure.ResourceManager.Maps;
using Azure.ResourceManager.Maps.Models;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

// Authenticate with Azure Resource Manager
ArmClient armClient = new ArmClient(new DefaultAzureCredential());

// Get Maps account resource
ResourceIdentifier mapsAccountResourceId = MapsAccountResource.CreateResourceIdentifier(
    subscriptionId, resourceGroupName, accountName);
MapsAccountResource mapsAccount = armClient.GetMapsAccountResource(mapsAccountResourceId);

// Generate SAS token
MapsAccountSasContent sasContent = new MapsAccountSasContent(
    MapsSigningKey.PrimaryKey, 
    principalId, 
    maxRatePerSecond: 500, 
    start: DateTime.UtcNow.ToString("O"), 
    expiry: DateTime.UtcNow.AddDays(1).ToString("O"));

Response<MapsAccountSasToken> sas = mapsAccount.GetSas(sasContent);

// Create client with SAS token
var sasCredential = new AzureSasCredential(sas.Value.AccountSasToken);
var client = new MapsSearchClient(sasCredential);
```

## Client Hierarchy

```
Azure.Maps.Search
└── MapsSearchClient
    ├── GetGeocoding()                    → Geocode addresses
    ├── GetGeocodingBatch()               → Batch geocoding
    ├── GetReverseGeocoding()             → Coordinates to address
    ├── GetReverseGeocodingBatch()        → Batch reverse geocoding
    └── GetPolygon()                      → Get boundary polygons

Azure.Maps.Routing
└── MapsRoutingClient
    ├── GetDirections()                   → Route directions
    ├── GetImmediateRouteMatrix()         → Route matrix (sync, ≤100)
    ├── GetRouteMatrix()                  → Route matrix (async, ≤700)
    └── GetRouteRange()                   → Isochrone/reachable range

Azure.Maps.Rendering
└── MapsRenderingClient
    ├── GetMapTile()                      → Map tiles
    ├── GetMapStaticImage()               → Static map images
    └── GetCopyrightCaption()             → Copyright info

Azure.Maps.Geolocation
└── MapsGeolocationClient
    └── GetCountryCode()                  → IP to country/region

Azure.Maps.Weather
└── MapsWeatherClient
    ├── GetCurrentWeatherConditions()     → Current weather
    ├── GetDailyForecast()                → Daily forecast
    ├── GetHourlyForecast()               → Hourly forecast
    └── GetSevereWeatherAlerts()          → Weather alerts
```

## Core Workflows

### 1. Geocoding (Address to Coordinates)

```csharp
using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

var credential = new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey);
var client = new MapsSearchClient(credential);

Response<GeocodingResponse> result = client.GetGeocoding("1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052");

foreach (var feature in result.Value.Features)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Coordinates: {string.Join(",", feature.Geometry.Coordinates)}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Address: {feature.Properties.Address.FormattedAddress}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Confidence: {feature.Properties.Confidence}");
}
```

### 2. Batch Geocoding

```csharp
using Azure.Maps.Search.Models.Queries;

List<GeocodingQuery> queries = new List<GeocodingQuery>
{
    new GeocodingQuery() { Query = "400 Broad St, Seattle, WA" },
    new GeocodingQuery() { Query = "1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA" },
    new GeocodingQuery() { AddressLine = "Space Needle", Top = 1 },
};

Response<GeocodingBatchResponse> results = client.GetGeocodingBatch(queries);

foreach (var batchItem in results.Value.BatchItems)
{
    foreach (var feature in batchItem.Features)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"Coordinates: {string.Join(",", feature.Geometry.Coordinates)}");
    }
}
```

### 3. Reverse Geocoding (Coordinates to Address)

```csharp
using Azure.Core.GeoJson;

GeoPosition coordinates = new GeoPosition(-122.138685, 47.6305637);
Response<GeocodingResponse> result = client.GetReverseGeocoding(coordinates);

foreach (var feature in result.Value.Features)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Address: {feature.Properties.Address.FormattedAddress}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Locality: {feature.Properties.Address.Locality}");
}
```

### 4. Get Boundary Polygon

```csharp
using Azure.Maps.Search.Models;

GetPolygonOptions options = new GetPolygonOptions()
{
    Coordinates = new GeoPosition(-122.204141, 47.61256),
    ResultType = BoundaryResultTypeEnum.Locality,
    Resolution = ResolutionEnum.Small,
};

Response<Boundary> result = client.GetPolygon(options);

Console.WriteLine($"Boundary copyright: {result.Value.Properties?.Copyright}");
Console.WriteLine($"Polygon count: {result.Value.Geometry.Count}");
```

### 5. Route Directions

```csharp
using Azure;
using Azure.Core.GeoJson;
using Azure.Maps.Routing;
using Azure.Maps.Routing.Models;

var client = new MapsRoutingClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

List<GeoPosition> routePoints = new List<GeoPosition>()
{
    new GeoPosition(-122.34, 47.61),  // Seattle
    new GeoPosition(-122.13, 47.64)   // Redmond
};

RouteDirectionQuery query = new RouteDirectionQuery(routePoints);
Response<RouteDirections> result = client.GetDirections(query);

foreach (var route in result.Value.Routes)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Distance: {route.Summary.LengthInMeters} meters");
    Console.WriteLine($"Duration: {route.Summary.TravelTimeDuration}");
    
    foreach (RouteLeg leg in route.Legs)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"Leg points: {leg.Points.Count}");
    }
}
```

### 6. Route Directions with Options

```csharp
RouteDirectionOptions options = new RouteDirectionOptions()
{
    RouteType = RouteType.Fastest,
    UseTrafficData = true,
    TravelMode = TravelMode.Bicycle,
    Language = RoutingLanguage.EnglishUsa,
    InstructionsType = RouteInstructionsType.Text,
};

RouteDirectionQuery query = new RouteDirectionQuery(routePoints)
{
    RouteDirectionOptions = options
};

Response<RouteDirections> result = client.GetDirections(query);
```

### 7. Route Matrix

```csharp
RouteMatrixQuery routeMatrixQuery = new RouteMatrixQuery
{
    Origins = new List<GeoPosition>()
    {
        new GeoPosition(-122.34, 47.61),
        new GeoPosition(-122.13, 47.64)
    },
    Destinations = new List<GeoPosition>() 
    { 
        new GeoPosition(-122.20, 47.62),
        new GeoPosition(-122.40, 47.65)
    },
};

// Synchronous (up to 100 route combinations)
Response<RouteMatrixResult> result = client.GetImmediateRouteMatrix(routeMatrixQuery);

foreach (var cell in result.Value.Matrix.SelectMany(row => row))
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Distance: {cell.Response?.RouteSummary?.LengthInMeters}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Duration: {cell.Response?.RouteSummary?.TravelTimeDuration}");
}

// Asynchronous (up to 700 route combinations)
RouteMatrixOptions routeMatrixOptions = new RouteMatrixOptions(routeMatrixQuery)
{
    TravelTimeType = TravelTimeType.All,
};
GetRouteMatrixOperation asyncResult = client.GetRouteMatrix(WaitUntil.Completed, routeMatrixOptions);
```

### 8. Route Range (Isochrone)

```csharp
RouteRangeOptions options = new RouteRangeOptions(-122.34, 47.61)
{
    TimeBudget = new TimeSpan(0, 20, 0)  // 20 minutes
};

Response<RouteRangeResult> result = client.GetRouteRange(options);

// result.Value.ReachableRange contains the polygon
Console.WriteLine($"Boundary points: {result.Value.ReachableRange.Boundary.Count}");
```

### 9. Get Map Tiles

```csharp
using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Rendering;

var client = new MapsRenderingClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

int zoom = 10;
int tileSize = 256;

// Convert coordinates to tile index
MapTileIndex tileIndex = MapsRenderingClient.PositionToTileXY(
    new GeoPosition(13.3854, 52.517), zoom, tileSize);

// Fetch map tile
GetMapTileOptions options = new GetMapTileOptions(
    MapTileSetId.MicrosoftImagery,
    new MapTileIndex(tileIndex.X, tileIndex.Y, zoom)
);

Response<Stream> mapTile = client.GetMapTile(options);

// Save to file
using (FileStream fileStream = File.Create("./MapTile.png"))
{
    mapTile.Value.CopyTo(fileStream);
}
```

### 10. IP Geolocation

```csharp
using System.Net;
using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Geolocation;

var client = new MapsGeolocationClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

IPAddress ipAddress = IPAddress.Parse("2001:4898:80e8:b::189");
Response<CountryRegionResult> result = client.GetCountryCode(ipAddress);

Console.WriteLine($"Country ISO Code: {result.Value.IsoCode}");
```

### 11. Current Weather

```csharp
using Azure;
using Azure.Core.GeoJson;
using Azure.Maps.Weather;

var client = new MapsWeatherClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

var position = new GeoPosition(-122.13071, 47.64011);
var options = new GetCurrentWeatherConditionsOptions(position);

Response<CurrentConditionsResult> result = client.GetCurrentWeatherConditions(options);

foreach (var condition in result.Value.Results)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Temperature: {condition.Temperature.Value} {condition.Temperature.Unit}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Weather: {condition.Phrase}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Humidity: {condition.RelativeHumidity}%");
}
```

## Key Types Reference

### Search Package

| Type | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `MapsSearchClient` | Main client for search operations |
| `GeocodingResponse` | Geocoding result |
| `GeocodingBatchResponse` | Batch geocoding result |
| `GeocodingQuery` | Query for batch geocoding |
| `ReverseGeocodingQuery` | Query for batch reverse geocoding |
| `GetPolygonOptions` | Options for polygon retrieval |
| `Boundary` | Boundary polygon result |
| `BoundaryResultTypeEnum` | Boundary type (Locality, AdminDistrict, etc.) |
| `ResolutionEnum` | Polygon resolution (Small, Medium, Large) |

### Routing Package

| Type | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `MapsRoutingClient` | Main client for routing operations |
| `RouteDirectionQuery` | Query for route directions |
| `RouteDirectionOptions` | Route calculation options |
| `RouteDirections` | Route directions result |
| `RouteLeg` | Segment of a route |
| `RouteMatrixQuery` | Query for route matrix |
| `RouteMatrixResult` | Route matrix result |
| `RouteRangeOptions` | Options for isochrone |
| `RouteRangeResult` | Isochrone result |
| `RouteType` | Route type (Fastest, Shortest, Eco, Thrilling) |
| `TravelMode` | Travel mode (Car, Truck, Bicycle, Pedestrian) |

### Rendering Package

| Type | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `MapsRenderingClient` | Main client for rendering |
| `GetMapTileOptions` | Map tile options |
| `MapTileIndex` | Tile coordinates (X, Y, Zoom) |
| `MapTileSetId` | Tile set identifier |

### Common Types

| Type | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `GeoPosition` | Geographic position (longitude, latitude) |
| `GeoBoundingBox` | Bounding box for geographic area |

## Best Practices

1. **Use Entra ID for production** — Prefer over subscription keys
2. **Batch operations** — Use batch geocoding for multiple addresses
3. **Cache results** — Geocoding results don't change frequently
4. **Use appropriate tile sizes** — 256 or 512 pixels based on display
5. **Handle rate limits** — Implement exponential backoff
6. **Use async route matrix** — For large matrix calculations (>100)
7. **Consider traffic data** — Set `UseTrafficData = true` for accurate ETAs

## Error Handling

```csharp
try
{
    Response<GeocodingResponse> result = client.GetGeocoding(address);
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Status: {ex.Status}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Error: {ex.Message}");
    
    switch (ex.Status)
    {
        case 400:
            // Invalid request parameters
            break;
        case 401:
            // Authentication failed
            break;
        case 429:
            // Rate limited - implement backoff
            break;
    }
}
```

## Related SDKs

| SDK | Purpose | Install |
|-----|---------|---------|
| `Azure.Maps.Search` | Geocoding, search | `dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Search --prerelease` |
| `Azure.Maps.Routing` | Directions, matrix | `dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Routing --prerelease` |
| `Azure.Maps.Rendering` | Map tiles, images | `dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Rendering --prerelease` |
| `Azure.Maps.Geolocation` | IP geolocation | `dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Geolocation --prerelease` |
| `Azure.Maps.Weather` | Weather data | `dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Weather --prerelease` |
| `Azure.ResourceManager.Maps` | Account management | `dotnet add package Azure.ResourceManager.Maps --prerelease` |

## Reference Links

| Resource | URL |
|----------|-----|
| Azure Maps Documentation | https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-maps/ |
| Search API Reference | https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/azure.maps.search |
| Routing API Reference | https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/azure.maps.routing |
| GitHub Source | https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/tree/main/sdk/maps |
| Pricing | https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/details/azure-maps/ |

Overview

This skill provides a concise guide to using the Azure Maps SDK for .NET to add location-based services to .NET applications. It covers installation, authentication methods, core clients (Search, Routing, Rendering, Geolocation, Weather), and common workflows like geocoding, routing, map tiles, IP lookup, and weather retrieval. The content focuses on practical examples and production best practices.

How this skill works

The SDK exposes dedicated clients: MapsSearchClient for geocoding and polygons, MapsRoutingClient for directions and route matrices, MapsRenderingClient for map tiles and static images, MapsGeolocationClient for IP-to-location, and MapsWeatherClient for weather data. Authenticate with a subscription key, SAS token, or Microsoft Entra ID (recommended for production), then call the relevant methods (e.g., GetGeocoding, GetDirections, GetMapTile) to retrieve typed responses. Examples show synchronous and asynchronous patterns and options for batching, traffic-aware routing, and isochrones.

When to use it

  • Convert addresses to coordinates or batch-geocode many locations
  • Calculate routes, travel time, and route matrices (sync ≤100, async ≤700)
  • Render map tiles or static images for UI or exporting
  • Determine client location from IP addresses for localization or compliance
  • Fetch current weather, hourly/daily forecasts, and severe alerts
  • Generate reachable-area polygons (isochrones) for coverage analysis

Best practices

  • Use Microsoft Entra ID (DefaultAzureCredential) in production instead of subscription keys
  • Batch geocode where possible and cache results to reduce cost and latency
  • Respect rate limits: implement exponential backoff and retry logic
  • Use async route matrix for large computations and sync for small sets (≤100)
  • Include traffic data for accurate ETAs when available and appropriate

Example use cases

  • Address autocomplete and geocoding in a checkout or CRM workflow
  • Turn-by-turn directions, multi-leg route planning, and distance matrices for logistics apps
  • Serve map tiles or static map snapshots for dashboards and reporting
  • IP-based country detection to tailor content or enforce geo-restrictions
  • Show current weather overlays or fetch forecasts to plan routes or notify users

FAQ

Which authentication method should I use in production?

Prefer Microsoft Entra ID (DefaultAzureCredential) for best security and manageability; use SAS tokens for scoped short-term access and subscription keys only for quick tests.

When should I use the async route matrix vs immediate route matrix?

Use the immediate route matrix for up to 100 origin-destination pairs when you need quick synchronous results. Use the async GetRouteMatrix for larger workloads (up to 700 combinations) to avoid timeouts and distribute processing.