Define the coordinate system of files in a batch process

Summary

Note:
This article pertains to ArcGIS versions prior to 9.2 only. In versions of ArcGIS including and later than version 9.2, all geoprocessing tools support batch processing by right-clicking the tool, and selecting Batch. Refer to ArcMap: A quick tour of batch processing for more information.

Instructions provided describe the steps for using the Batch Define Coordinate System script in ArcToolbox to define the coordinate system of multiple datasets simultaneously.

Procedure

Note:
To define the coordinate system of files in a batch process in ArcGIS versions 10.x, navigate to ArcToolbox > Data Management Tools > Projections and Transformations. Right-click Define Projection, and click Batch.

The following steps can be executed in both ArcMap and ArcCatalog versions prior to 9.2.

Note:
If the Samples toolbox is already listed in ArcToolbox, skip steps 2 through 4.

1. In ArcMap, click ArcToolbox.
2. Right-click ArcToolbox in the ArcToolbox pane, and select Add Toolbox.
3. Browse to C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\ArcToolbox\Toolboxes and select Samples.tbx.
4. Click Open. The new Samples toolbox displays.
5. Expand the Samples Toolbox > Data Management Tools > Projections, and double-click the Batch Define Coordinate System script.
6. Add the datasets to be defined.
7. Specify the coordinate system.
8. Click OK.