It is common for analysts to work across various systems that use different coordinate systems to pinpoint places on the earth. For example, one system might use decimal degrees (DD) and another system might require the same location to be specified in Military Grid Reference System (MGRS). The Coordinate Conversion widget allows you to input coordinates using one coordinate system and output to different coordinate systems using multiple notation formats.
Configuring the Coordinate Conversion widget
This widget can be set to open automatically when
an app starts. Click the Do not open this widget when
the app starts button 
on the widget to turn on the option to open the widget automatically. (For widgets you need to add to the app first, you can make this setting after configuring the widget.)
- Hover over the widget and click the Configure this widget button
to open the configuration window.Note:
If you need to add the widget to the app first, click a widget placeholder on the Widget tab. In the Choose Widget window that opens, select the widget and click OK.
- Optionally click the Change widget icon button and replace it with your own image.
A file explorer window appears, allowing you to select a local image file to use as the widget icon.
- The graphic for the location to be converted can be changed by clicking the location symbol preview.
A dialog box will give you the choice of what symbols can be used.
- Set a desired scale for the zoom button, or accept the default.
- A table in the configuration page gives you the ability to set what type of coordinates are converted. Set what coordinates the widget will use by checking or unchecking the box next to the coordinate format; by default, all coordinate types are selected. The following coordinate formats are supported:
- Degree-based formats
- Military Grid Reference System (MGRS)
- United States National Grid (USNG)
- Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
- Global Area Reference System (GARS)
- Edit the default display of a format by clicking the small edit icon
under the edit format column.The Edit Default Format window appears. You can add spaces, characters, or change the precision of each coordinate.
Using the Coordinate Conversion widget
Learn how to edit input and output coordinate formats, convert coordinates, and copy coordinates to use in other systems.
Edit input coordinates
You can edit the input coordinate format.
- Click the Format Input button next to the Input box.
- In the Set Coordinate Format String window, use the drop-down list to select the coordinate format you want.
- Edit the text box to change the notation of the input coordinate format.
- Check the check box to use a +/- for coordinates in the Northern/Southern or Eastern/Western hemispheres.
Edit output coordinates
You can edit the list of output coordinate formats and their notation.
Edit output coordinate list
You can add and remove coordinate formats.
- Click the Add New Notation button to add a new coordinate format.
Note:
New coordinates are added to the output as decimal degrees.
- Remove output formats by clicking the Remove Coordinate button.
Edit output coordinate format
You can edit output coordinate formats.
- Click the Format Output button next to the output you want to format.
- In the Set Coordinate Format String window, use the drop-down list to select the coordinate format you want.
- Edit the text box to change the notation of the output coordinate format.
- Check the check box to use a +/- for coordinates in the Northern/Southern or Eastern/Western hemispheres.
Locate coordinates
You can locate known coordinates.
- In the Input box, type or paste coordinates and press Enter.
A symbol is placed on the map at the location of the input coordinates.
- Click the Zoom button to zoom to the input coordinates.
Convert coordinates
You can convert known coordinates or convert coordinates for a location on the map.
Convert known coordinates
You can convert manually input coordinates by typing or pasting coordinates in the Input box. Coordinates will display for the output types you have chosen.
Convert coordinates from the map
You can convert coordinates interactively by clicking a location on the map. Coordinates will display for the output types you have chosen.
Copy coordinates
You can copy output coordinates for use in other systems.
- Click the Copy All button to copy all coordinate formats.
- Click the Copy to clipboard button next to a coordinate format to copy a single coordinate from the output.
- Click the Expand Output button next to a coordinate format to view individual components of a coordinate format.
- Click the Copy to clipboard button next to a coordinate format component to copy a single coordinate component.