HOW TO
The National Transformation version 2 (NTv2) is a standard binary grid shift (.GSB) file format. Some NTv2 geographic transformations require files that are not installed with ArcGIS Pro. The geographic transformation and grid files can be downloaded and installed with the ArcGIS Coordinate System Data software component from My Esri. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Install supplementary coordinate system files to download the files.
However, ArcGIS Pro does not distribute the grid files for certain grid-based geographic transformations due to license restrictions. For Canada, the geographic transformation and grid files are not included in the Esri software installation and are not available to be downloaded from My Esri as the Canadian provinces charge for these files. Users can obtain these files from each provincial government or Esri Canada. Refer to FAQ: Where can I get datum transformation grids for Canada? to obtain the NTv2 geographic transformation and grid file.
This article provides the workflow to install the NTv2 geographic transformation and grid file in ArcGIS Pro.
C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\Resources\pedata\ntv2
Note: The new folder name must be a single word and in lowercase letters. No spaces are permitted in the folder name.
Note: To determine the best geographic transformation for data, refer to How To: Select the correct geographic (datum) transformation when projecting between datums for more information. The list includes an alphabetical list of all transformations that are available for each version of the software, the published accuracy of the transformation (in meters), and both a text description, and coordinates, describing the extent to which that transformation can be used. If the data falls outside the area the transformation is defined for, the data is not transformed.
Note: The NTv2 geographic transformation and grid files are not removed when ArcGIS Pro is uninstalled.
Because the customer transformation file is created in the individual's Windows 'Users' folder path, the new geographic transformation is ONLY available for use by the person who created the transformation. To make this file accessible for other users on the computer, or on other machines in the office, do the following:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\ESRI\ArcGISPro\ArcToolbox\CustomTransformations
Article ID: 000029167
Get help from ArcGIS experts
Download the Esri Support App