Adding the what3words extension to MapInfo Pro
The MapInfo extension brings the functionality of the what3words API to the MapInfo platform. You can use the plugin to convert from coordinates to 3 word addresses and from coordinates to 3 word addresses by adding running a SQL query as well as searching for 3 word addresses or inspecting the map to view the 3 word address for a location.
Download the extension
Download the MapInfo extension from here.
Adding extension to MapInfo
Open MapInfo Pro and select the “HOME” ribbon and click on the “Tool Extensions” button to load the what3words extension.

The Tools window should now appear. Click “Options” dropdown and select “Register Tool”.

From the window that appears, select the .MBX file for the extension and give the extension a name. Click OK

The tool should now appear under registered tools. Hover your mouse over the tool and you will see the option to Load the tool and you can select whether to Autoload the extension when MapInfo opens. Click Load and the extension should now be available

Once loaded a new ribbon item should appear “WHAT3WORDS” with the tools.

Click Settings on the WHAT3WORDS ribbon to add an API Key
Using the extension
The plugin provides:
- A map tool for interrogating the map to discover a 3 word address.
- Search to find a 3 word addresses
- SQL functions to convert to and from co-ordinates
Clicking “Display a 3 word address” provides a tool to click on the map and display a 3 word address for a location.

Clicking “Search for address” opens a window and allows you to search for a 3 word address.

In order to run a 3 word address conversion you can run an SQL query. For example:
Select WGS84ToWhat3words(CentroidX(obj), CentroidY(obj)) From flpoints Into Selection