topic Re: Adding XY Data from Excel in Data Management Questions

Adding XY Data from Excel

JenniferRamey — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:18:05 GMT

I am new to ArcGIS and have been to the basic courses but I'm not understanding how to get my Excel spreadsheet into my Arcmap. I have created a spreadsheet that has longitude and latitude decimal format that I am wanting to be able to plot on my map. I can get the data into the map but it does not appear to be plotting correctly. My X axis is my long and my Y axis is my lat, I have the coordinate system set. Please help.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

Anonymous User — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:24:44 GMT

Hi Jennifer,

You can use the Make" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//00170000006z000000]Make XY Event Layer tool to project your data in ArcMap. You can also just add the excel table and right click on it and choose 'Display XY Data'. For both the tool and the second option you will be asked to specify the Lat/Long fields. Good luck!

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

NicoleCarlozo — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:39:53 GMT

I usually go to File -> Add Data -> Add XY Data. Specify the x/y fields and Coordinate System there. Then you can export the data into a shapefile. Sometimes it helps to open a new MXD.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

BrockWahl — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:15:06 GMT

I am new to ArcGIS and have been to the basic courses but I'm not understanding how to get my Excel spreadsheet into my Arcmap. I have created a spreadsheet that has longitude and latitude decimal format that I am wanting to be able to plot on my map. I can get the data into the map but it does not appear to be plotting correctly. My X axis is my long and my Y axis is my lat, I have the coordinate system set. Please help.

Are the points plotting at all? If they are not it may be a conflict issue with the projection and the data frame. Is there existing data in the map or just the excel file?

If the points are not plotting at all, the field which the xy data is in may be of text format or general format which will not convert on the fly when bringing into ArcGIS.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

JenniferRamey — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:21:19 GMT

Are the points plotting at all? If they are not it may be a conflict issue with the projection and the data frame. Is there existing data in the map or just the excel file?

If the points are not plotting at all, the field which the xy data is in may be of text format or general format which will not convert on the fly when bringing into ArcGIS.

They do plot just not in the correct locations.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

Anonymous User — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:29:08 GMT

Can you post a sample of your excel data? Maybe just a few points? Also, if you could please provide the info on which coordinate system you are trying to project the points in.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

JenniferRamey — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:40:41 GMT

Can you post a sample of your excel data? Maybe just a few points? Also, if you could please provide the info on which coordinate system you are trying to project the points in.

NAD_1983_StatePlane_Oklahoman_North_FIPS_3501_Feet

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

Anonymous User — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 19:20:06 GMT

Ok...I see your problem here. Your coordinates are in decimal degrees and the linear units for the state plane are US Survey Feet. What you will need to do is open up a blank MXD and set the data frame projection to something like the NAD 83 Geographic Coordinate System or WGS 84. Then display your xy data here and export the XY event layer to a shapefile. Once you have done this you can then use the Project" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//00170000007m000000]Project tool to project the shapefile you just made to the the NAD_1983_StatePlane_Oklahoman_North_FIPS_3501_Feet. This should properly project your coordinates in the state plane projection.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

JenniferRamey — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 19:24:07 GMT

Ok...I see your problem here. Your coordinates are in decimal degrees and the linear units for the state plane are US Survey Feet. What you will need to do is open up a blank MXD and set the data frame projection to something like the NAD 83 Geographic Coordinate System or WGS 84. Then display your xy data here and export the XY event layer to a shapefile. Once you have done this you can then use the Project tool to project the shapefile you just made to the the NAD_1983_StatePlane_Oklahoman_North_FIPS_3501_Feet. This should properly project your coordinates in the state plane projection.

I will try that, thank you.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

mariofernandez2 — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:59:20 GMT

HI,
I am new to ArcGIS, and I have an excel file that want to add to GIS. I am able to add the file using the XY data but the data points are shown in a different scale. The file is on excel and it contains LAT, LONG, and Elevation. At the beginning I thought the points did not plot but after clicking to zoom to selected points the points appered. However, the entire map is gone. I would like to know if you guys have any info on this issue.

thanks
mario

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

AngelynSnyder — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 18:23:31 GMT

Mario,

It sounds like you are having the same problem as the original poster. Read the original post's solution and check your coordinate system against the format of you xy data.

What coordinate system are you using? Is your xy in decimal degrees, degrees min sec?

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

mariofernandez2 — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 16:55:33 GMT

Thank you, I got the file working. As you metioned the issue was that the points were in a different Datum. Now I have another issue th points plot in GIS but these are a little bit off. Any info on this issue.

Thanks

mario

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

YoshiTsuzuki — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 05:16:26 GMT

Hello all,
I am trying to import some data from excel file with x, y coordinates and data. I attach a sample data. In accordance with answers in this sled, the excel file is imported using "File - Add data - Add XY data". I want to know the method to let ArcGIS to identify X and Y field is the coordinates. Thank you for your reply in advance.

Yoshi

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

YoshiTsuzuki — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 05:27:20 GMT

Hello all,
Please find the attachment as a sample file of X, Y coordinates and data corresponding to the location.

Yoshi

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

LeonardLuz3 — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 03:49:36 GMT

Hi yoshi,

Is your sample data from Australia? The X and Y fields I think, should be switched. Just sayin' 🙂

Hello all,
Please find the attachment as a sample file of X, Y coordinates and data corresponding to the location.

Yoshi

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

YoshiTsuzuki — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 04:33:04 GMT

Thanks leonardlluz, that's true.

This problem has been solved in another thread:
http://forums.arcgis.com/threads/99731-How-can-XY-coordinates-be-shown-in-the-attribute-table-of-a-point-shape-file?p=354527#post354527

Thanks
Yoshi

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

RyanMcDermott — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 20:29:57 GMT

New user to ArcGIS...

I am trying to map information from an excel file. I am attaching some sample data that I have...Why can't I map this when I try adding XY Data? I used the coordinates from a hand held GPS. I am sure this is an easy fix, but I have no idea what I am doing. Thanks for the help!

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

MarkBoucher — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:05:33 GMT

When I do this, I have to save the Excel file in the .xls format. For some reason .xlsx does not work.

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

RyanMcDermott — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:37:28 GMT

MBoucher21, thanks for the response. I changed the format that my data was in to the xls format. I am still running into the same problem of when I add the X,Y data I don't get any information in the x or y field drop down menus. Any ideas?

Re: Adding XY Data from Excel

michaelcollins1 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:13:39 GMT

you should probably convert the coordinates to decimal degrees first