Extract elevation values from a LAS dataset for specified coordinates in an Excel file in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

Lidar (light detection and ranging) is an optical remote sensing technique that uses laser light to generate dense point cloud datasets with precise x, y, and z coordinates. In ArcGIS Pro, the elevation values from the lidar point cloud can be extracted and used to populate the elevation field in the Excel file. In this case, the lidar dataset must be converted to a raster layer using the LAS Dataset To Raster tool to interpolate the elevation values for any gaps in the initial point cloud. These elevation values are then extracted at specified coordinates from the Excel file. This method is effective for large areas and useful for land surveying to capture precise elevation data on inaccessible ground. This article provides the workflow to extract elevation values from a LAS dataset for specified coordinates in an Excel file in ArcGIS Pro.

Procedure

1. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.
2. Create a point feature class based on coordinates from the CSV file using the XY Table To Point tool.
   1. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
   2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click XY Table To Point (Data Management Tools).
   3. In the XY Table To Point pane, for Input Table, click Browse and select the CSV file from the local folder.
   4. For Output Feature Class, specify a name and location for the output feature layer.
   5. For X Field, select the field in the input table containing the x-coordinates or longitude from the drop-down list.
   6. For Y Field, select the field in the input table containing the y-coordinates or latitude from the drop-down list.
   7. For Coordinate System, click Select coordinate system to open the Coordinate System window.
   8. In the Coordinate System window, expand Projected Coordinate System or Geographic Coordinate System to specify the coordinate system. Ensure the coordinate system for the output feature class matches the coordinate system of the lidar dataset to accurately position features relative to each other and the earth’s surface. In this example, WGS 1984 is selected. Click OK.
   9. Click Run.

3. Convert the LAS dataset to a raster layer using the LAS Dataset To Raster tool.
   1. On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools.
   2. In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and click LAS Dataset To Raster (Conversion Tools).
   3. In the LAS Dataset To Raster pane, for Input LAS Dataset, select the LAS dataset layer from the drop-down list.
   4. For Output Raster, specify a name and location for the output raster layer.
   5. For Value Field, select Elevation from the drop-down list.
   6. Click Run.

4. Extract the elevation values from the raster layer to the newly created point feature class in Step 2. Refer to How To: Extract raster values at point locations in ArcGIS Pro for instructions.

Note:
Rename the RASTERVALU field with a name that describes the elevation, if necessary. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Alter Field (Data Management) for more information.

5. Export the attribute table of the output feature layer in Step 4 to an Excel file. Refer to How To: Export an attribute table from ArcGIS Pro to Microsoft Excel for instructions.

The image below shows the output Excel file with elevation values extracted from the LAS dataset.