The input feature class does not appear to contain projected data.

Question

Dear all,

I have a grid with cells of 0.5*0.5 decimal degrees. I am aware of the problem that the cells change in size and would like to take care of it. Exporting my data with "Export Feature Attribute to ASCII" results in the above mentioned warning.

Therefore, I followed the advice and used the "project" tool. I put in the dataset, selected the same coordinate system as before (GCS_WGS_1984), clicked on "preserve shape" and defined the maximum offset as 1 kilometer. However, I still receive the same warning as before.

What do I have to do to receive an accurate result?

Thanks a lot in advance!

DanPatterson_Retired · Answer

No problem... best of luck and learning

CB · Answer

Hello again and thanks for the help!

I totally agree that clicking around is not optimal. Unfortunately this is what I usually have to do, given that my formal ArcGIS education consists of a one-week course (which I took three years ago).

"Add Geometry Attributes" seems to have worked wonders! I selected "Geodesic area" and specified length "kilometers" and area unit "square kilometers". Now it gives me an area that seems to be very much in line with expectations.

You are great!

DanPatterson_Retired · Answer

if you want an equal area, then you need an equal area projection.  If you are working with featureclasses, then you can calculate area using Add Geometry Attributes I am not sure that clicking around is what you need, perhaps a featureclass with the information calculated properly, then use the information within the tables.