Import Excel coordinate lists to a map with CSV
Coordinate lists often arrive as spreadsheets. With clean columns they can become field points.
Field takeaways
- Spreadsheet points usually travel to the field as CSV.
- Use clear point name, easting, northing, Z and note columns.
- Coordinate order and CRS must be stated.
- Check known points after import.
- MapLab Survey connects CSV points with layers and exports.
Column order has no standard
Some lists write X,Y and others Y,X; some put latitude first and others longitude. Explicit column headers remove half the problems before they start.
Separators and decimals
A file saved under a different regional setting can turn 41,5 into two columns or into 415. Open it in a text editor and look at the raw numbers before importing.
State the EPSG
A coordinate list without its system is ambiguous. Put the code in the file, the filename and the message.
Check one known point
After import, verify a point you can recognise on the ground. That is the only way to know 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 Excel coordinates open on a map?
Yes, by exporting to CSV.
How should X/Y be ordered?
Use explicit easting/northing labels.
Can CSV be used for stake-out?
Yes, after checks.
Is Z required?
Only when height is needed.
Technical references
The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.
Related: CSV coordinate list · Go to coordinate · Field layers · MapLab Survey