Absolute X,Y lets you create a point or vertex using an exact x,y location. For example, you might use an absolute x,y to create a bird's nest in an animal habitat database with x,y coordinates obtained from a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit.
You can specify the location as a longitude-latitude coordinate pair, a Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) location, a U.S. National Grid (USNG) location, or a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate. If you are entering a coordinate pair, you see two boxes on the dialog box, compared with one box for grid locations.
For more information on valid formats when entering locations, see About distance units and editing.
- These steps can be used to create either point features or vertices in lines and polygons:
To create a point feature
Click a point feature template in the Create Features window and click the Point tool .
To create a vertex in a line
Click a line feature template in the Create Features window and click the Line tool .
To create a vertex in a polygon
Click a polygon feature template in the Create Features window and click the Polygon tool .
- Right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y, or press F6.
- Click the Units button and click the unit you want to use to enter the location.
- Type the coordinates or location and press ENTER.