topic Re: Importing an Excel file into ArcMap Layout in Data Management Questions

Importing an Excel file into ArcMap Layout

CatherineBradley — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:22:30 GMT

I need step-by-step directions of how to import an .xslx file into arcmap layout. I tried, but the column widths did not import. What I did was:
- Open my .mxd layout and my Excel file.
- Clicked on Insert ->text in ArcMap layout.
- Back in the Excel window, I highlighted the columns to insert and hit Copy.
- Went back to my .mxd layout & hit paste into the text box.
It worked, but no columns kept their spacing so the rows look like one long field and not 4 separate ones.

I know this is an easy thing to do, but I can't figure it out. Thanks in advance.

Re: Importing an Excel file into ArcMap Layout

JonathanQuinn — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:39:23 GMT

Try the Insert > Object method instead from the top menu bar. Choose the Create from File radio button, and then navigate to your Excel file by clicking Browse.

Re: Importing an Excel file into ArcMap Layout

CatherineBradley — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:02:41 GMT

Thank you Jonathan. That did work, but I cannot see the entire excel file (there are over 200 records). I can't seem to resize the imported file by dragging the box down to show all the records. I can only see about 50 records. What did I do wrong? Ca.

Re: Importing an Excel file into ArcMap Layout

DanielBrenner — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 23:04:52 GMT

I totally feel your pain, as I am going to the ESRI Conference as Mr. EXCEL!

How big is your map? Is it Portrait or Landscape?

More important is what is the layout like? If you are looking at a polygon as the base, can you move it to one side or the other without losing anything, or is there space within the polygon itself?

The reasoning behind these questions is this:

Edit the size of your database to something doable, do Ctrl Printscreen, go to Paint (or some other graphically oriented program), open up a new document, hit paste, edit the image of your database again (i.e., trim out all the other stuff around it from Excel that you don't need), and export to whatever format will work; I recommend JPG. Open up the image again in Paint, try copying, then in ArcGIS, in the Layout screen, go to Edit, then Paste and move the image of the database around to a space where it will work (as in a blank one or one on top of your polygon or ? where you won't lose any data.   You can also do Insert Picture and open up the image of the database and bring it in.

The one kicker I see with what you have is that you've got 200 records.   That may be tough to show depending on the size of your layout.

I do speak from experience as I have had to tackle these same issues, and didn't even do any of what the other responder is suggesting.   Not to say it wouldn't work (you almost did).

Hang in there.

Daniel T. Brenner
Research Analyst I (Geographic Information Systems)
Office of Highway System Information and Performance (OHSIP)
Headquarters, State of California Department of Transportation
1120 N Street, 5th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 657-4277
dbrenner@dot.ca.gov