Add a data layer to a map

Note:

You need the following account and license types to use this workflow:

• Microsoft license—You need a Microsoft 365 license, role Contributor or higher, to add a data layer to a map.
• ArcGIS account type—Standard users can perform the functions of this workflow; you do not need to sign in.

Use your Microsoft Excel data to add a data layer to an ArcGIS for Excel map.

See Maps and Data layers to learn about adding data to a map, and see Data preparation to learn how to configure the data before you add it to a map.

When you begin this workflow, ArcGIS for Excel reads the open Microsoft Excel workbook and attempts to find location-based information. The data must contain at least one location-based attribute, such as an address or longitude and latitude values. ArcGIS for Excel analyzes the data in the workbook and presents formatting options to represent it on a map.

Note:

Although it's possible to embed and work with a Microsoft Excel worksheet in aMicrosoft Word document, this is not supported by ArcGIS for Excel and is not recommended.

Tip:

When you open a map-enabled worksheet that contains multiple maps or point layers created from Excel data, points on the map may not render immediately because the data is being loaded directly from Excel. Performance quality depends on your system's capabilities and the size of the dataset and maps.

Update records in Excel

When you add a new record or modify fields in an existing record, all maps created using the modified layer automatically update to reflect the changes.

Modify a record

To modify an existing record in the worksheet, complete the following steps:

1. Click the cell that you want to modify and update the value.
2. Optionally, modify other values.
3. On the map, view the pop-up for the modified record.

   The values are automatically updated.

Add a record

To add a record to the worksheet, complete the following steps:

Note:

In the Location types drop-down menu, when adding data from Excel, the Coordinates and Esri JSON Geometry options are available. To access the Address and Geography options, you must be signed in to an ArcGIS account.

1. Insert a new record in the worksheet.
   • If you created the layer from data formatted as an Excel table, right-click in the table and click Insert > Table rows above or Table rows below. To add a new row to the bottom of the table, move the pointer to the last cell of the table and press Tab. Drag the resize handle in the lower right corner of the table to include new rows in the table if necessary.
   • If you created the layer from a range of cells in a worksheet, right-click a cell within the range and click Insert to display the Insert window, click Entire row, and click OK. A new row is inserted within the range.

   The map layer updates to add the new feature.

   Note:

   As you add information to the worksheet, the map refreshes to load the new data.

2. In the worksheet, populate the cells with the appropriate values.

   Include the same type of location information used in the other records, such as latitude and longitude coordinates.

   The map refreshes with the new feature added to the layer.

Delete a record

If you created the layer from data formatted as an Excel table, right-click in the row or column to be removed, and click Delete. The feature is removed from the map.

Note:

The map updates to remove any points from the deleted data. See the Microsoft Insert or delete rows and columns article for more information.