Creating Points from x,y data in ArcMap

This procedure outlines the steps necessary to create points from a simple text file containing latitude and longitude coordinates. Often, this type of file results from research done using a GPS in the field. This procedure can be used to plot the GPS locations on a base map. The formats acceptable for this procedure include text (.txt), comma separated (.csv), dbase (.dbf) and Microsoft Access database (.mdb). Additional steps may be necessary based on the original file format. Follow the prompts given or use the help files for assistance.

NOTE: Convert Excel files to DBF (dbase) before importing.
NOTE: The first row of a text, DBF (dbase) or comma-separated file will be used as the column field names.

The original data in this example is provided as a DBF file with latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees.

Run ArcMap and create a new document.
Click the Add Data button and add the appropriate DBF file.
In the Table of Contents on the left of the ArcMap window, right-click on the table and select "Open" to view the DBF data.

The table should look something like the following image.

In order to give the map a geographic reference, add the DMTI street network for Niagara (assuming the table respresents locations in the Niagara Region). The DMTI roads file is found on the DATA PC under E:/DATA/Niagara/DMTI/Canmapv7_2/roads_clip.shp

To create points based on the DBF table:

Right-click on the DBF table listed in the Table of Contents and select Display XY data
From the dialogue box, specify the fields for the X and Y coordinates.

**TIP: See the following table for a summary of X, Y formats.**

Latitude	43 degrees	UTM-Y	4,763,000 metres N
Longitude	-79 degrees	UTM-X	623,000 metres E

Under Spatial Reference, click the Edit button to define the Geographic coordinate system.
From the Spatial Reference Properties dialogue box, click the "Select" button and then click each folder in the following path, until you get to the projection file (*.prj).
Select "North American Datum 1983.prj" and click Add.
Geographic Coordinate Systems > North America > North American Datum 1983.prj

Click OK to the Spatial Reference Properties dialogue box.
The "Display XY Data" dialogue box is now complete. Click OK.

The XY data is automatically displayed in the map window. For this example, zoom in to the St. Catharines area to view the point data.

This point data file is called an "event" file. To make a permanent shape file, right-click on the point data layer and choose Data > Export Data.

In the Export Data dialogue box click the browse button . Navigate to the folder where the file should be saved, give the file an appropriate name and click SAVE.

Click OK to the Export Data dialogue box.

When prompted to add the exported data to the map as a layer, click Yes. The point file is now a permanent shape file.

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