ERROR

Out of bounds" error returned when importing data or editing a geodatabase feature class

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Error Message

Importing data to a geodatabase feature dataset or feature class, or creating features in an ArcMap editing session, fails with one of the following error messages:

ArcGIS 8.x error messages:

"Some features did not convert because of errors. Do you want to see the errors?"

OR

"The coordinates or measures are out of bounds."

OR

"The Create Feature task could not be completed. The coordinates or measures are out of bounds."

ArcGIS 9.x error messages:

"Input feature <X>: falls outside of output XYDomain.
<Path to file.fid> contains the full list of features not able to be copied."

OR

"The Create Feature task could not be completed. The coordinates or measures are out of bounds."

ArcGIS 10.x error messages:

"The Create Feature task could not be completed. The coordinates or measures are out of bounds."

Cause

The extent of the geodatabase feature dataset or feature class is not large enough to contain the data being imported, or to store the extent of the features being added to the feature class in the editing session.

Solution or Workaround

The extent of a geodatabase feature dataset or feature class can only be set when it is created. After the feature dataset or feature class is created, the extent cannot be changed. The extent of the feature dataset or feature class is not changed by defining the coordinate system (projection).

Setting the extent of a new feature dataset or feature class at 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1 and 10.x:

The extent of a new feature dataset or feature class in ArcGIS Desktop is set by defining the coordinate system when the feature dataset or feature class is created. This simplified process for setting the extent applies both to file geodatabases (GDB) and personal geodatabases (MDB).

Setting the extent for a new feature dataset at 8.x, 9.0 and 9.1:

Method 1

This method provides an extent approximately five times as large as the dataset or feature class from which the extent is imported.

Set an extent larger than original feature dataset with these steps:

  1. Right-click the personal geodatabase and select New > Feature Dataset.
  2. Name the feature dataset. The name may contain underscores, but spaces are not allowed.
  3. Click the Edit button.
  4. On the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box, click the XY Domain tab.
Note:
The values for MinX and MinY are both -10000, and the values for MaxX and MaxY are both 11474.
  1. Click the Coordinate System tab, click the Import button, and navigate to the data to import the extent. This data should have the projection defined, and include the extent of your area of interest. Click Add.
  2. In the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box, click Apply.
  3. Return to the XY Domain tab and note how the X and Y coordinates have changed.

    If the data does not have a projection defined, click the Select button on the Coordinate System tab, and select the correct Projected Coordinate System to apply to the feature dataset.
  4. Click Apply and OK. Click OK again in the New Feature Dataset dialog box. The extent is now set so that the data can be imported correctly.

Method 2
This method sets the precise coordinates entered. Features outside the exact extent fail to import and an error message displays. Set an extent for a new feature dataset with exact coordinates using the following steps:

  1. Start ArcMap with a new, empty map.
  2. Add a geographic dataset such as state, county, municipal boundary that has the extent desired for the new feature dataset and that uses the correct projection.
  3. Right-click the data layer, click Properties, and click the Source tab.
  4. Make note of the coordinates at the top, bottom, left and right extent of the dataset.
  5. Close ArcMap and return to ArcCatalog.
  6. Right-click the personal geodatabase and select New > Feature Dataset.
  7. Name the feature dataset. The name may contain underscores, but spaces are not allowed.
  8. Click the Edit button.
  9. In the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box, select the XY Domain tab.
  10. Type the coordinates from the extent noted in step 4.
  11. Click Apply. Return to the Coordinate System tab.
  12. Click Select; navigate to and select the correct projection definition for the feature dataset.
  13. Click Apply and OK. Click OK again in the New Feature dataset dialog box.

Data that fits within this extent can be imported without errors.

Setting the extent for a new stand-alone feature class at 8.x, 9.0 and 9.1:

Method 1

This method provides an extent approximately five times as large as the dataset or feature class from which the extent is imported.

Set an extent larger than the original stand-alone feature class using the following steps:

  1. Right-click on the personal geodatabase and select New > Feature Class.
  2. Name the feature class. The name may contain underscores, but spaces are not allowed.
  3. Click Next. Accept the Default Configuration Keyword. Click Next again.
  4. In the dialog box listing the Field Names, click the field named Shape.
  5. Under Field Properties, click the ellipsis (...)
  6. In the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box, click the XY Domain tab.
Note:
The XMin and MinY are both -10000, and the MaxX and MaxY are both 11474.
  1. Return to the Coordinate System tab, click on the Import button, and navigate to the data from which the extent will be imported. This data should have the projection defined and be located in your area of interest.
  2. Click Add. Go back to the XY Domain tab and view how the X and Y coordinates have changed.
  3. Click Apply. Click OK, and OK again in the New Feature Class dialog box. The extent is now set so that the data imports correctly.

Method 2
This method sets the precise coordinates entered. Features outside the exact extent fail to import and an error message displays. Set an extent for a new feature class with exact coordinates, using the following steps:

  1. Start ArcMap with a new, empty map.
  2. Add a geographic dataset such as a state, county, municipal boundary, which has the extent desired for the new feature class, in the correct projection.
  3. Right-click the data layer, and click Properties > Source tab.
  4. Make note of the top, bottom, left and right coordinates for the extent of the dataset.
  5. Close ArcMap and return to ArcCatalog.
  6. Right-click the personal geodatabase and select New > Feature Class.
  7. Name the feature class. The name may contain underscores, but spaces are not allowed.
  8. Click Next. Accept the Default Configuration Keyword, and click Next again.
  9. In the dialog box listing the Field Names, click the field named Shape.
  10. Under Field Properties, click the ellipsis button (...).
  11. In the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box, select the XY Domain tab.
  12. Type the coordinates for the extent noted in step 4.
  13. Click Apply, and return to the Coordinate System tab.
  14. Click Select; navigate to and select the correct projection definition for the feature class.
  15. Click Apply. Click OK, and OK again on the New Feature Class dialog box.

Article ID:000008530

Software:
  • ArcMap

Get help from ArcGIS experts

Contact technical support

Download the Esri Support App

Go to download options

Discover more on this topic