Add XY data makes a displaced layer

[SidneyTupper]

I want to add places to a map.  I found a text file of LAT LONG NAMES and used Add XY Data and Export Data to make a layer of places on my map.  The data frame, the places layer and the other layers are all WGS_1984_UTM_Zone_36N.  But the places layer displaces the places hundreds of kilometers west of the other layers and scales them down.

I don't understand what's going on and would be grateful for hints about what to do.  I'm using ArcGIS 10.1.  Thanks!

[DanPatterson_Retired]

common issues:

1  Longitude and Latitude is mixed up (long. is X, lat is y)

2  Longitude is missing a negative sign when it should

3  the data are actually projected and not in Long-Lat

4  you are trying to mix Long-Lat data into a data frame which is projected without defining the projection of the Long-Lat data first using the Define Projection tool.

Including a sample of the data would help identify any cases not covered by the above.

[SidneyTupper]

Thanks for the quick reply.  Here's a typical line of the text data I made the shape file from:

OBJECT_ID

RC

UFI

UNI

LAT

LONG

DMS_LAT

DMS_LONG

MGRS

JOG

FC

DSG

PC

CC1

ADM1

POP

ELEV

CC2

NT

LC

SHORT_FORM

GENERIC

SORT_NAME_RO

FULL_NAME_RO

FULL_NAME_ND_RO

SORT_NAME_RG

FULL_NAME_RG

FULL_NAME_ND_RG

NOTE

MODIFY_DATE

DISPLAY

NAME_RANK

NAME_LINK

TRANSL_CD

1

3

-2059689

-2856737

1.262213

30.46282

11544

302746

36NTG1765039650

NA36-09

H

STM

CG,UG

CG,UG

N

SEMLIKI

Semliki

Semliki

SEMLIKI

Semliki

Semliki

########

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

1

I used the LAT and LONG columns as Y and X in Add XY Data.  The latitudes range from -1.4 to 4.8 and the longitudes are ~ 30 degrees east of  Greenwhich.  (Uganda).

I will explore your issue no. 4.  After making the shape file with ADD XY Data, what projection should I define it as?  Then I will project it to UTM 1984 36N.  The UTM coordinates might already be in the text data as UFI and UNI but when I go to one, it's not in a likely place.

[DanPatterson_Retired · Accepted solution]

I don't know what the data in Long Lat could be in but a WGS 84 geographic coordinate system would be a good guess/starting point particularly if it originated from GPS data.  Use the Define Projection tool to define it as such, then use the Project tool to get it into your desired projected coordinate system

[SidneyTupper]

Thanks Dan.  You put me on the right track.