Converting single coordinates

Depending on your data sources, you may need to convert coordinates into a standard format so the records can be plotted on a map. Converted coordinates are always stored as decimal degrees against the WGS 1984 datum.

Use the:

  • Coordinate Conversion dialog (described below) to convert the coordinates in a single record
  • Bulk Coordinate Conversion dialog (described in Converting Coordinates in bulk) to convert the coordinates in a database, set or query
Note:

You can only convert coordinates if there is a Coordinate type field followed directly by two other fields for the latitude and longitude (Real Number fields). These two fields will contain the converted coordinate values. The first field, stores the original coordinate before conversion.

See Coordinates in iBase for further background information.

See Supported coordinate systems for further information on converting data to the coordinate system standard to your organization. This topic also describes the rules that are applied when converting coordinates.

Converting coordinates directly

You can enter the coordinates and convert them immediately by:
  • Typing the value in the Coordinate type field and then pressing the Tab key twice to move to the next field. The conversion takes place automatically.

If the value is not recognized, you will see an error message. In this case:

  1. Click browse to the right of the Coordinate type field to display the Coordinate Conversion dialog. If the format is recognized, the correct coordinate system is automatically selected.
  2. Select the datum of the original coordinates if they do not use the WGS 1984 standard.
  3. Click Preview. The converted coordinates are displayed, in the Standard Format area, in decimal degrees using the WGS 1984 standard.
  4. Click OK to accept the values.

Entering coordinates using the Coordinate Conversion dialog

  1. Click the browse button to the right of the Coordinate type field to display the Coordinate Conversion dialog.
  2. Select the required coordinate system.

    The boxes in the middle of the dialog will be updated to reflect the kind of data that the selected format requires.

  3. Enter the values in the relevant boxes, and select any options that are required to identify the location, for example Northern Hemisphere or Southern Hemisphere or N/S and E/W.
    Note: You can also click Clear to delete any entered values and start again.
  4. Select the datum of the original coordinates if they do not use the WGS 1984 standard.
  5. Click Preview to display the converted coordinates in decimal degrees in the Standard Format area.

    If the value is not recognized, or in the incorrect format, an error message is displayed.

  6. Click OK to accept the values.

If you do not know which coordinate system to use

If you have some coordinates but are unable to enter them directly because you do not know which coordinate system to use:
  1. Click the browse button to the right of the Coordinate type field (above the two coordinate value fields). The Coordinate Conversion dialog is displayed.
  2. From the Coordinate System list, select Auto Detect.
  3. In the Coordinates box, enter the coordinate values.
  4. Click Preview. If the values are in a legitimate format, the coordinate system will be automatically selected.
  5. Click OK to accept the values.