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1. Download the sample Excel document "rawGPSdata" from the K drive. Open the file in Excel.
2. Examine the columns in the Excel file.  Each data point is assigned a unique identifier in the form of a number, the date which it was collected, elevation data, and the coordinates of each point. The coordinates are given in degrees (as an integer) and minutes (a real number). ArcMap handles coordinates best when they are in Decimal Degree format.  In Decimal Degress, the entire coordinate string is a single, real number based on the degree. To convert from Degrees and Minutes to Decimal Degrees, follow steps 3-
3. Select the entire E column in the "rawGPSdata" file (containing the location)
4. Click on the "Data" tab on the top toolbar.
5.  In the "Data Tools" box, select the "Text to Columns" tool. The Text to Column Wizard will allow you to separate the coordinate information into separate columns.
6. Select "Fixed Width" and hit "Next>"
   
   
   
   
7. We must separate the N and W from the degree column. To do this, click between the "N" and "40" and between "W" and "74." Then hit "Next →"
   
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8. Do not make any changes in step 3 of the Wizard. Just hit "Finish" to exit.
9. You will see that the single coordinate column has now been divided into 6 separate columns.
10. The idea now is to isolate the latitude and longitude components each into a single column. At this stage it is best to reorganize the columns.
11. Clear the contents of the "E" and "H" columns by right clicking on the columns and selecting "Clear Contents." The coordinate information should now exist in two sets of columns with space in between them.

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