Make XY Event Layer (Data Management)
Release 9.3 Last modified March 8, 2012	Print all topics in : "Tools"

NOTE: This topic was updated for 9.3.1.

Makes a point layer based on x- and y-coordinates from a source table. The layer that is created by the tool is temporary and will not persist after the session ends unless the document is saved.

Usage tips

• This tool allows you to create a layer based on x and y columns from an input table.

• The Spatial Reference parameter allows you to specify the spatial reference of the output coordinates.

• If the table is editable, you will be able to edit the layer. However, you won't be able to interactively move a point on the map; you can change the x- and y-coordinate attributes in the table.

• If the table does not have an ObjectID (such as delimited text files or tables from OLE DB connections), you will not be able to make selections or add joins to the resulting layer.

• When working in ArcCatalog, you can use the Save To Layer File tool to write the x,y layer to a layer file. When using ArcMap, the tool adds the layer to the table of contents automatically.

• Learn more about adding x,y coordinate data to a map.

• No environment settings affect this tool.

Command line syntax
An overview of the Command Line window
MakeXYEventLayer_management <table> <in_x_field> <in_y_field> <out_layer> {spatial_reference}

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
<table>	The table that contains the x- and y-coordinates that define the location of the points in the layer.	Table View
<in_x_field>	The field in the table that contains the x-coordinates.	Field
<in_y_field>	The field in the table that contains the y-coordinates.	Field
<out_layer>	The name of the point layer generated by Make XY Event Layer.	Feature Layer
{spatial_reference}	The spatial reference of the coordinates in the X and Y fields defined above. This will be the output layer's coordinate system.	Spatial Reference

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters

Command line example

MakeXYEventLayer D:\tables81\xyevent\data\xy.mdb\places_utm11 latitude longitude places_socal spatial_reference1

Scripting syntax
About getting started with writing geoprocessing scripts
MakeXYEventLayer_management (table, in_x_field, in_y_field, out_layer, spatial_reference)

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
table (Required)	The table that contains the x- and y-coordinates that define the location of the points in the layer.	Table View
in_x_field (Required)	The field in the table that contains the x-coordinates.	Field
in_y_field (Required)	The field in the table that contains the y-coordinates.	Field
out_layer (Required)	The name of the point layer generated by Make XY Event Layer.	Feature Layer
spatial_reference (Optional)	The spatial reference of the coordinates in the X and Y fields defined above. This will be the output layer's coordinate system.	Spatial Reference

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters

Script example

# MakeXYLayer.py
# Description: Creates an XY layer and exports it to a layer file
# Requirements: Python
# Author: ESRI
# Date 2/06/2004

# Create the Geoprocessor object
import arcgisscripting, sys, string, os
gp = arcgisscripting.create()

try:
    # Prepare the variables
    in_Table = r"\\bobmk\temp\xy.mdb\places_utm11"
    in_x = "latitude"
    in_y = "longitude"
    out_Layer = "places_socal"

    # Set the spatial reference
    # NOTE: you must have the "Coordinate Systems" turned on
    # To do this click tools/options and check "Coordinate Systems"
    # in the General Tab
    spref = r"Coordinate Systems\Projected Coordinate Systems\Utm\Nad 1983\NAD 1983 UTM Zone 11N.prj"

    # Make the XY event...
    gp.MakeXYEventLayer(in_Table, in_x, in_y, out_Layer, spref)

    # Print the total rows
    pDSC = gp.describe(out_Layer)
    print gp.getcount(out_Layer)

    # Save to a layer file
    gp.SaveToLayerFile(out_Layer, "D:/temp/places_socal.lyr")

except:
    # If an error occurred, print the message to the screen
    print gp.GetMessages()

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