adding X-Y data from a table

[RGCOG_Rural]

When I add X-Y data from a spreadsheet into 10.2.2, the points do not plot correctly. I followed the steps in the knowledge base article (27589), and have tried projecting, reprojecting, using an existing layer as the coordinate system, changing from one coordinate system to another and back, and starting with a blank map - which plots the points correctly, but sends anything I add to another location. I am using NAD 83 State Plane 4203. The area where the points should plot is around 30 N, -103 W, but they plot at 3N, -105 W.

I converted the coordinates to numbers to 8 decimal places. I tried with both csv and xlsx spreadsheets. Anyone have any ideas?

[DanPatterson_Retired]

• add it without defining anything is my preference... you dataframe if empty, will be undefined... that is fine.
• save the event layer to a shapefile or a featureclass in an empty geodatabase.
• Use the Define Projection tool in the data management, projections and transformations toolset
• at this stage you haven't tainted anything because you have placed it all by itself .

Once you have defined the coordinate system, you may let the others in to play and hope they play nice

[RGCOG_Rural]

Works great, but when I add another layer, the added layer is out in the ocean, even though the propertis show the same coordinate system. Thanks for all your help - will try again tomorrow!

[NeilAyres]

Dan Patterson wrote:

• add it without defining anything is my preference... you dataframe if empty, will be undefined... that is fine.
• save the event layer to a shapefile or a featureclass in an empty geodatabase.
• Use the Define Projection tool in the data management, projections and transformations toolset
• at this stage you haven't tainted anything because you have placed it all by itself .

Once you have defined the coordinate system, you may let the others in to play and hope they play nice

Sorry Dan, but here I don't agree.

When creating a XY event layer, it is important that you know what the imported coordinates actually are.

And then, as Darren says, it doesn't matter what the df crs actually is.

But we get many, many queries here re the exact same problem.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

I didn't say that you didn't need to know what they are...I said when you should define them.  As indicated...I find defining them as a separate step removes the glitch that I have seen countless times, when they define the coordinate system when the data are added in the XY step, then get confused and use the define projection tool instead of the project tool. 

So my suggestion, is .... 1  dump it into an empty data frame undefined using the add xy tool...   2  then use the define projection tool to define it... 3  then project it to what they want (if any).  When done, drag it off to the dataframe with all the other data and hopefully everything plays nice.  Now obviously you can combine steps 1 and 2 and the interminably clever would see that but ... I have seen every combination and permutation of what can go wrong when people don't think "big picture" but are linear thinkers.  You have seen the muddle that arises on the forums yourself over the years.

[NeilAyres]

I have been doing GIS stuff for ~ 30 years now.

And, yes, these days the software is much easier to use and the hardware is much faster.

But, even today, just about every project I have had a hand in, the main problems are data & people.

The people problem is knowledge, training and awareness. Plus all those nasty corporate issues.

And data is data.

If someone tells me that their "data is perfect", I know that they are lying.

And you only find out about the data when you go and look at it.....

[DarrenWiens2]

This works for me:

1.) Add your Excel to ArcMap

2.) Display XY Data...

3.) X Field = Longitude, Y Field = Latitude, Coordinate System = GCS_WGS_1984 (or NAD83 if you prefer)

That is it. It does not matter one iota whether your data frame is defined beforehand or not.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

it is recommended to remove any queries about dataframe coordinate systems... If it is empty and undefined, you have a clean slate, without other influences

[DarrenWiens2]

Since you're defining the event layer CRS in the Display XY dialog, the data frame has no bearing on the matter, but be my guest and start fresh. This topic was just getting lost in irrelevant details.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

well it was just between the two of us, and I wanted to remove any potential places of confusion that I have seen in the past... but that has been what has worked for me and it has headed off the many times that I have seen students define the coordinate system while they were making the event layer, thenm used the define projection tool to try to "make" it projected.  If the define projection can only be made once, then you are further ahead.  It has worked for me... short cuts come later