Import CSV coordinates with point list, column order, EPSG and field checks
CSV point lists are simple, but column order, point name, CRS and units must be clear.
Field takeaways
- CSV does not carry CRS by itself.
- Point name, easting, northing, elevation and note columns should be clear.
- Lat lon and metre coordinates should not be mixed.
- Check against a known point after import.
- MapLab Survey connects CSV points to field layers and reports.
What belongs in the file
A clean point list carries at least a point name, easting, northing and description; add a Z column when heights are used. Time, point type, crew and source columns pay off in the report. A list of P1, P2, P3 forces the recipient to guess what each point is.
The biggest risk: the coordinate system
CSV does not carry EPSG information by itself. Put it in a note line inside the file, a separate readme, or the project name. WGS84 latitude-longitude is in degrees; UTM/TM is in metres. Reading one as the other moves the whole list to another continent.
Separators and decimals
A file created under a different regional setting can split 41,5 into two columns or read it as 415. Open it in a text editor and look at the numbers before importing; explicit column headers solve half the problems before they occur.
Importing into MapLab Survey
- Check the columns: point name, E, N, Z, description.
- Write the coordinate system and EPSG into the project note.
- Import the points into their own target layer.
- Test the position against a known control point.
- After the field check, record the found position and the difference.
When a point lands far away
Some lists use X Y, some E N, some longitude-latitude. If a point falls somewhere absurd on the map, check the column order and the CRS before blaming the receiver. Verifying one point you know on the ground after import is the only way to be sure the whole list landed correctly.
Try these steps on your own phone.
MapLab Survey handles RTK/GNSS point capture, drawing, area and volume calculations and coordinate conversion, then exports to DXF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoPackage, NCZ or CSV. Capture, calculation and export work offline. Live NTRIP corrections and online basemaps need a connection.
Frequently asked questions
Can CSV coordinates be mapped?
Yes, if columns and CRS are correct.
Does CSV carry EPSG?
No.
What is E N Z?
Easting, northing and elevation.
What if points open in the wrong place?
Check CRS and column order.
Technical references
The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.
Related: CSV coordinate list · Excel coordinate list · Coordinate navigation app · MapLab Survey