Preparing Data for Input into Geospatial Applications

Term: Fall 2025

Date: November 19th, 2025

Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Location: Online Only

Instructor: Imma Mwanja

Presented By: Data Services, University Libraries (LIB)

Description:

*This event will be held on GIS Day 2025!* Designed for students, faculty, and researchers new to geospatial mapping (GIS) or working with tabular data, this workshop provides a practical foundation for integrating spreadsheet-based data into spatial analysis workflows. By the end, participants will understand how to prepare and format spreadsheet and CSV format datasets so they can be effectively imported, visualized, and symbolized in a geospatial mapping environment. No prior experience is required.

This session introduces the essential steps for transforming raw coordinate data in spreadsheet or CSV formats into map-ready content suitable for use in geospatial applications. Participants will learn how to identify and clean location data—such as latitude and longitude columns—to ensure proper formatting and structure for correct input into geospatial software like ArcGIS or QGIS. The session will also cover how to address common issues such as inconsistent field names, missing values, or incorrect coordinate systems that can prevent successful mapping.