PROBLEM

Unable to display X and Y fields in the Display XY Data dialog box

Last Published: January 21, 2021

Description

After importing an Excel table with longitude and latitude values into ArcMap, the X and Y Fields are blank in the Display XY Data dialog box.

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Cause

This issue occurs when the latitude and longitude field data types are incorrectly set.

Solution or Workaround

  1. In the Table Of Contents, right-click the Excel table, and select Data > Export. Browse to the specific location, specify the name of the file (the default name is Export_Output), and Save as type: dBase table.
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  1. In the Do you want to add the new table to the current map? pop-up, click Yes.
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  1. Right-click the newly created table, and click Open to open the Table dialog box.
  2. Go to Table Options and select Add Field to add a new field.
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  1. In the Add Field dialog box, specify the name and type of field for the longitude and latitude. For example, use:
    1. Name: Longitude1, Type: Double
    2. Name: Latitude1, Type: Double
  2. To start editing the table, navigate to the Editor toolbar and select Start Editing.
  3. When prompted, select the newly created table.
  4. Right-click the Longitude1 header and select Field Calculator.
  5. In the Field Calculator dialog box, double-click the pre-existing longitude field. Click OK.
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  6. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the Latitude1 field.
  7. Close the table. Save and stop the editing session.
  8. In the Table Of Contents, right-click the Export_Output table, and select Display XY Data.
  9. In the Display XY Data dialog box, select Longitude1 for the X Field and Latitude1 for the Y Field  to specify the coordinates. Click Edit.
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  10. Navigate to the desired coordinate system, for example:
     
    Geographic coordinate system > North America > NAD 1983

Article ID:000012115

Software:
  • ArcMap

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