Intuitive/consistent wording for "Display XY Data"
There seem to be three different wordings for converting XY data to points:
1. Right click layer in TOC --> "Display XY Data"
- I find that wording to be misleading. The word "display" makes it sound like we're creating a dynamic event layer, which isn't the case. It creates a new feature class.
- I know the info in the mouseover explains it a bit further. But I honestly don't usually think to hover/wait/read the mouseover text. Could the "Display XY Data" wording be improved?
2. Ribbon --> Map tab --> "XY Point Data":
- The wording in the subscript is misleading. We're not simply "Adding x,y point data to the map". We're creating a feature class.
3. Ribbon --> Analysis --> Tools --> Search for "XY" --> "XY Table to Point" GP tool.
- This tool is pretty straightforward. It creates a new feature class, which is clearly stated in the tool description. And is obvious because we need to fill in the "Output Feature Class" parameter.
Note: The three options above are not to be confused with the "Make XY Event Layer" GP tool, which creates a dynamic event layer, not a feature class.
Idea:
If I understand correctly, all three options use the same underlying GP tool: "XY Table to Point".
If all three options do the same thing, then why not use consistent wording, to avoid confusion from the user? And why not make it crystal clear that all three options create a new FC?
Feel free to let me know if I've misunderstood something.
Cheers.
@Bud Your two ideas about Display XY Data and XY Event Layers have been combined, and both are in the product release plan for ArcGIS Pro 3.2.
The context menus and ribbon for standalone tables has been configured with a Create Points From Table menu with the options to make a points feature class from the table XY coordinates (XY Table To Point) and to make an xy event layer (Make XY Event Layer). We think this will clarify the actions, and also bring xy event layers back in an accessible location.
Your comment also mentioned Route Event layers, which have been on the table context menu all along under Display Route Events.
Pro 3.2 (in development) sneak peak:
There is no plan for adjusting the Add Data menu in Pro 3.2, so changes to those options are not included, though the Pro mapping authoring development team is considering a redesign of that menu and available options in a future release.
