HOW TO

Calculate latitude and longitude for point features

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Summary

Instructions provided describe how to use ArcMap to calculate the latitude and longitude for points in a point feature class.

Procedure

In ArcGIS 10.1 and later versions, the Calculate Geometry tool can be used to provide the latitudes and longitudes of a point feature class.

In ArcGIS 9.x and 10.0, by using VBA Script Code in the Field Calculator, a field of type double can be populated with latitude or longitude values.

ArcGIS 10.1 and later versions:

  1. Open the attribute table of the point feature class in ArcMap. Do not start an edit session.
  2. Click the Table Options drop-down button, and select Add Field.
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  1. In the Add Field window, name the field Lat (for latitude), with type Double. Click OK. Repeat this step and create another field named Long (for longitude).
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  1. Start an edit session (Editor drop-down > Start Editing).
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  1. Highlight the Lat field, right-click the header, and select Calculate Geometry.
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  1. In the Calculate Geometry window, ensure that Property lists the Y Coordinate of Point, and to use the coordinate system of the data frame or feature layer. Set the Units as desired (in this scenario, Decimal Degrees). Click OK.
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  1. Repeat steps 5 and 6, applying the X Coordinate of Point property to the Long field.
  2. The Lat and Long fields are populated with latitudinal and longitudinal data.
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ArcGIS 9.x / 10.0:

  1. Add a field of type Double to the attribute table to store either latitude or longitude values.
  2. Start an edit session.
  3. Open the attribute table.
  4. Right-click the field and select Calculate Values.
  5. Check the Advanced check box.
  6. Paste the following code into the Pre-Logic VBA Code box:
Dim Output As Double 
Dim pPoint As IPoint 
Set pPoint = [Shape] 
Output = pPoint.X
Note:
The above code is for calculating longitude. X should be changed to Y to calculate latitude values.
  1. Type Output into the lower text box.
  2. Click OK.

Article ID:000008944

Software:
  • ArcMap 10 x
  • ArcMap 9 x

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