topic Re: Grid Reference in Layout View in ArcGIS Enterprise Portal Questions

Grid Reference in Layout View

DanEvans — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:18:53 GMT

Hi,

Is there a way to insert the grid reference/X Y co-ordinates of the centre of the data frame in layout view? I'm working in British National Grid projection...

Cheers
Dan

Re: Grid Reference in Layout View

DavidWatkins — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:36:54 GMT

Hi Dan,

You could write a Python script that would return the extent of the data frame, do the math to find the center, and then update a text element in the page layout with the coordinates.

Start with the help topic on the DataFrame properties available through Python found here:

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/DataFrame/00s300000003000000/

Then you can find an example of updating a text element with Python here:

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/TextElement/00s30000000m000000/

If you are new to Python, a good place to start is with the following Blog Post:

http://blogs.esri.com/dev/blogs/arcgisdesktop/archive/2010/09/24/getting-started-with-python-map-automation.aspx

Hope this helps,
David

Re: Grid Reference in Layout View

DanEvans — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 06:55:44 GMT

Thanks David, I'll give it a try.

Dan

Re: Grid Reference in Layout View

DanEvans — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 06:57:42 GMT

I forgot to mention I'm using 9.3 - is it still possible?

Re: Grid Reference in Layout View

DavidWatkins — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:57:08 GMT

Hi Dan,

The Python methods I was describing are only available at 10 or later. You would need to write something using ArcObjects at 9.3.

David