In ArcGIS, how do I add xy coordinate data as a layer?

Note: With most ArcGIS functions and tools, several methods can accomplish the same task. These instructions describe one way to do this procedure, but others may work just as well for you.

To add xy coordinate data as a layer in ArcGIS:

1. Download GPS data from your GPS device to a computer; you may need to consult the GPS device manual for instructions.
   
   
2. If the GPS data output is in text file format, see the following guidelines:
   
   
   • Your GPS points should be organized with each field separated by tabs or commas.
   • The fields or columns in your text file must have a valid field heading (column name). If they do not, you will see an error message.
   • You must have at least an X coordinate field and a Y coordinate field (though these fields can have any name). You may have as many additional fields as needed (e.g., description or site number), but the X and Y fields are mandatory.
   • The following is an example text file of GPS points: SITE,EASTING,NORTHING,DESC 1,567189,4770802,trailhead 2,567732,4779100,proposed bridge site 3,569904,4765221,marshy area
3. In ArcMap, from the Tools menu, select Add XY Data.
   
   
4. In the Add XY Data dialog box, select the text file, table, or spreadsheet that contains the GPS coordinates, and add this file as a table.

   Note: ArcGIS 9.2 will only recognize Excel 2003 files (.xls). ArcGIS 9.3 will recognize Excel 2003 or 2007 files (.xlsx).

   If using a spreadsheet, select the file, and then select the sheet. If you did not name the sheet, the default will be Sheet1$ .

   For text files, if find that you cannot see this file type listed, you may have turned off the option to view text files. To correct this:

   1. Open ArcCatalog.
   2. From the Tools menu, select Options.
   3. From the General tab under "Which type of data do you want the Catalog to show", scroll down and select text files.
   4. Click OK to close. In ArcMap, close and reopen the Add XY Data window.
   
   
5. In the Add XY Data window, specify the fields for the X and Y coordinates by selecting them from the drop-down menus.

   Note: If you do not see the desired fields, there may be something wrong with the spreadsheet you are using (e.g., field names contain spaces or are not defined). Correct this in Excel before proceeding further.

6. Select the coordinate system of the GPS points. Be sure to select the spatial reference system of the points from the time they were taken with the GPS device. You can change the projection to something different later.
   
   
7. Click OK. You may see a message warning you that this table does not have an "Object-ID" field. Click OK. You will regain feature functionality when this layer is exported as a shapefile or feature class.
   
   
8. The new GPS points are calculated and added to the map as a new layer. To create a shapefile or feature class from the GPS point layer, right-click the layer and select Data, and then Export Data.
   
   
9. Use the same coordinate system as the layer. Type the name of the new shapefile or feature class, and then click OK. Click Yes to add the exported data to the map.
   
   
10. The new shapefile or feature class with GPS points will be added to the ArcMap data frame. You can now select and edit features.

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