topic Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map in Data Management Questions

show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

MariaLathouri — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:08:04 GMT

Hi all, I am trying to show categorical data with XY coordinates from an excel file (I have the ID column, 2-3 columns with the categorical data and the XY columns) in a GIS map. I have added my spreadsheet in gis, I right-clicked Display XY data, I could see all the points with one colour. But when I went to symbology-categories-specify the field with the categorical data-add all values, I changed the colour and size for each category (however there was a question mark in the count column) and Apply nothing happened. It was still one colour. I tried to open the attribute table but it was blank.

Could you please help me?

Thank you in advance.

Maria

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:10:18 GMT

can you post a small portion of your table ... perhaps there is an issue with your data types

also, you have posted your question in GeoNet help... which is about help on using GeoNet. I might suggest that you move your post to Managing Data Managing Data

The community structure is here GeoNet Community Structure

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

MariaLathouri — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:21:15 GMT

ID	super	X	Y
1	E	393035	454082
2	E	399522	446764
3	G	453296	425579
4	B	404212	490915
5	B	398227	504509
6	C	404153	499167
7	B	414776	466439
8	C	392218	487759
9	C	435909	375484
10	F	424556	422795
11	C	465178	507362
12	F	430654	490229
13	F	427010	413243
14	G	443150	473852
15	C	493368	491519
16	C	409917	421431
17	C	439272	391335
18	F	472519	447416
19	C	415129	437601
20	C	442346	488628
21	C	423986	497876
22	E	395871	451334
23	C	422522	479895
24	B	399553	426857
25	B	391737	425618
26	C	431401	408978
27	C	441620	490031
28	E	441067	476024
29	C	414431	487014
30	G	476505	467698
31	D	494230	490996
32	G	470473	448572
33	G	489244	479662
34	G	470521	430082
35	E	470657	481383

Here is a sample of my data; I have as well formatted the 'super' column which has my categorical data as text.

Thank you.

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:26:58 GMT

If you used Unique Values for your super column as shown here

Drawing a layer using categories—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

then there shouldn't be an issue, assuming you added all the categories to the legend . then keep pressing Ok, apply, Ok to see the results...don't work about the count field just yet.

I would also recommend fine-tuning the colours AFTER you have the correct symbology applied first...not during the process...no point in wasting time if the base classification isn't going to work in the first place.

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

MariaLathouri — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:38:31 GMT

actually I have been trying this before and now but still doesn't work. I am still getting one colour of the <all other value>

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:46:04 GMT

<all other values>.... is the values that aren't in the classification scheme. If you have done it correctly, you should have a colour beside your super letters... A, B...E since that is the classified data. Check the link I sent and/or look onscreen. PS nothing is going to change until you OK your way out to the end and make the symbology apply to the map

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

MariaLathouri — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:49:05 GMT

but I have for each super letter a different colour being shown in the layers column on the left hand side of the GIS map; that is why I cannot understand why it is not working.

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:51:25 GMT

Ok... you are losing me..I can't see what you aren't seeing so if you have done the symbology correct you should have a legend in the table of contents representing the various classes...if you don't it is scrreen grab time to show what is going on

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

MariaLathouri — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:55:33 GMT

I made a screenshot of the table of contents for you to see that I am actually doing the symbology. But still don't get the colours in the map.

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

DarrenWiens2 — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:07:23 GMT

I tried to open the attribute table but it was blank.

There are sometimes seemingly random issues with using Excel tables (and XY Event Layers) that can cause this. In Excel, check that there are no spaces in your field names (trailing or leading). Highlight and delete (right-click->delete) all empty columns after your data. Highlight and delete (right-click->delete) all empty rows after your data. Try bringing the points back into ArcMap and Display XY. Check the attribute table. Try exporting the XY Event table to a feature class on disk (right-click->export data). Check the attribute table. Try applying your symbology.

Re: show categorical data from excel file with different colours in GIS map

DanPatterson_Retired — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:10:32 GMT

so they are points and you appear to be in data view, now when you go back to the dataframe, right-click on that layer and select zoom to layer... the dots should appear If they don't, insert a new dataframe and add just that file. It would also be best to convert that event layer to a featureclass or shapefile and ensure it has a defined projection... this should be done way before symbology is handled