How should I format a csv file for temporal data that changes location over time?

JustinAndersen

Hi,

I'm working on a project where I need to show point locations at a couple different points in time. The issue I'm having is formatting a csv file (excel then to csv) to be able to do this. My training with GIS has been very informal and I'm usually left to figure a lot of this out on my own so I'm not sure that using a csv file is really the best way to do it anyway, it's just what I've usually done and the data I have is already in excel.

Basically, I have about 250 different points that will each only change location once over the span of time I'm looking at. These are individual points so each changes location at a different point in time and they all (mostly) have different start and end locations.

I'm somewhat familiar with the idea of using a time slider to show temporal data on a map but I've never actually created data that utilizes it. So my main question is how should I format my data to do this?

It is super critical that I can be able to utilize the time slider for this so please let me know what is the best way to get this done, even if I can't use excel like I have been.

Thanks,

Justin

HeatherSmith

Hi Justin,

You can use a csv file. Here's an example:

   point,latitude,longitude,startDate,endDate

   A,45,45,1/1/2020,1/20/2020

   A,45,46,1/5/2020,1/20/2020

   B,46,45,1/1/2020,1/20/2020

   B,46,46,1/10/2020,1/20/2020

   C,47,45,1/1/2020,1/20/2020

   C,47,46,1/15/2020,1/20/2020

You can draw this data on a map in ArcGIS Pro with the XY Table to Point tool:

Then you can access Layer Properties > Time to enable that feature:

A time slider should appear on your map. Click Play. There's also a Time tab on the ribbon where you can configure the time slider behavior.

Visualize temporal data using the time slider—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation