converting Distance Field values from a Spatial Join

Question

Hi,

I recently used the Spatial Join tool to join 2 point files of X/Y, Lat/Long values, one being Weather Stations, the other Zip Code Centroids.  The files had an angular unit of Degree (decimal degree, I am guessing/hoping?)  The distance field was in a decimal format.

I would like to be able to convert this 6 digit number into miles, but am in the dark as to what conversion factor do I use.   I can easily draw a line between a Weather Station and a Zip Code Centroid in miles, but how to convert the value in the Distance field is mystifying.

Please clear this up ASAP.

Thank you,

Dan Brenner

PatrickBurns1 · Answer

A decade later, I have the *same* problem.  Using ArcGIS Pro 3.1, I'm trying to measure the distance -- as the crow flies -- between the sets of points. I've tried this using the Geoprocessing Tools "Near" and "Spatial Join," and the both seem to be giving me results in decimal degrees (or some unknown measurement scale).  How to find out what this measurement unit is, and how to convert it to miles (ideally in the same table, using calculate field)?

ESRI ARcGIS Pro Near_Dist decimal degrees.jpg

DanielBrenner · Answer

Got it to go!

Not to rag on ESRI, but why is it so hard provide simple, down-to-Earth instructions like this for something that could be so useful?

I could have used any of the Near or Proximity functions, which were real enticing, before I did a Spatial Join, but nooo, no directions there either!!

DarrenWiens2 · Answer

The conversion from feet to miles is to divide the number of feet by 5280 (there are 5280 feet in a mile).