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Use these directions if you want to collect GPS data in a new map filelayer.

Create a New Shapefile Layer in ArcPad 8 for GPS Data

1. ArcPad stores your GPS data in layers that you add to a map.  The type of layer that you create for your GPS data points is called a Shapefile.  If you are going to capture new GPS data, you must do so by first creating a new Shapefile layer in ArcPad. 
2. With ArcPad open, click on the GPS device icon just below the Windows icon.
3. Tap New -> Shapefile
4. To collect GPS latitude/longitude data, the Type should be set to Point.
5. Code Page should be set to Unicode UTF-8
6. Add Attribute Fields.  Each shape file has underlying data associated with it.  These data are called Attributes.  If, for instance, you are collecting GPS data to go with artifacts you are collecting, you might want to add data fields to include information such as who collected the artifact/GPS coordinate, the date of collection, the type of artifact, the site name, etc..  You can add new fields by hand that will become Attribute fields in your Shapefile. OR if you have a data file from another project that has the fields you want to use, you can import it.  To import a file, you must save it as a .dbf file and upload it to the GPS unit using ActiveSync.  When you are done adding or importing fields, click OK.
7. Name your document, choose a folder for it, and choose whether or not you want to save it to the Main Memory or the SD (SDHC) Card.  Saving to the SD card allows you to bypass the use of ActiveSync and plug the SD card into a card reader that can be used by your computer to directly download the file from the GPS unit.
8. Save your new Map file by clicking on the Open Map icon (it looks like a yellow file folder with an arrow above it), and tap Save Map As

Collect Longitude/Latitude Data in a Shapefile Layer

Activate GPS Connection

1. Make sure that you have the proper Shapefile open in ArcPad.
2. Tap on the Main Tool Bar. Its icon looks like a yellow file folder.
3. Tap on the GPS Active drop down list.  It looks like a satellite.
4. Tap on the GPS Active option.  This will activate communiation between the GPS unit and any available satellites.

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Add Longitude and Latitude Points to the Shapefile layer

1. Tap on the Edit toolbar.  This looks like a pencil with a bunch of points connected by lines.
2. Tap the Draw tool Icon (pencil) to highlight it.
3. Tap the Point feature icon to highlight it.  Make sure that the chosen type is Point if you are collecting GPS latitude/longitude coordinates.  Both the Draw tool and the Point feature must be highlighted to record lat/long coordinates.
4. Find your Current Location on the map layer.  It will be marked by a red circle with a dot in the middle.  If you are not standing in the location of the latitude/longitude coordinates you want to record, move to that location.
5. Tap in the center of the Current Location indicator.  The Data window will open, with empty fields for all of your Data Attributes.  Fill in as many of these as you need to capture the data for your coordinates.
6. When finished recording Attribute data for the latitude/longitude coordinates, tap OK in the bottom, left hand corner.  Your GPS latitude/longitude point will now appear in your Shapefile layer.

When you are done collecting coordinate points, click the Open Map icon (an open, yellow folder with an arrow), and tap Save Map.  This will save your Shapefile layer and Base layer together as a map document that can be opened and added to later.  You can export individual layers or the entire map document to any laptop by using the SDHC card (if that's where you've saved your layers and map) or ActiveSync.  ArcMap - the GIS software used on the desktop computers - will not open an ArcPad map document, but it will import Layer files created in ArcPad.

To Continue Working with a Map Document in ArcPad 8

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