XY points from a CSV file display incorrectly in ArcMap

Description

The XY points from the CSV file fail to display correctly in ArcMap.

Note:
This article applies to retired ArcGIS versions 10.2.x and 10.3.x. Later versions of ArcGIS may contain different functionality, as well as different names and locations for menus, commands and geoprocessing tools.

Cause

In some cases, the XY points display in the wrong location if a projected coordinate system is used instead of a geographic coordinate system. The XY points are in decimal degrees, but the projected coordinate system attempts to display the points as units of feet instead of as decimal degrees.

Solution or Workaround

Display the XY points in the geographic coordinate system by following the steps below.

1. In the Table Of Contents, right-click the CSV file, and select Display XY Data. as shown in the next image.

2. In the The Display XY Data dialog box, click the Edit button.

3. Select the desired geographic coordinate system.

4. Click OK. The XY points in the CSV file are now assigned with a coordinate.