How to Convert Lat Long to Decimal in Excel

Getting Started with Excel for Conversion

Understanding Latitude and Longitude Formats

Latitude and longitude are commonly used to identify the exact location on Earth. They are written in the Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS) format. In this format, the latitude goes from 90 degrees at the poles to 0 degrees at the Equator, and longitude reaches up to 180 degrees from the Prime Meridian. A sample DMS format will be

28°36’50”

where,

• Degrees (°) is the main unit
• Minutes (′) is the subdivisions of a degree
• Seconds (″) is the subdivisions of a minute

To make the calculation easier, you can convert it to decimal degrees (DD) format. This format combines degrees, minutes, and seconds into a single decimal value. A sample DD format will be:

28.61389

By default, Excel does not understand the latitude and longitude format. If you type a coordinate in DMS format like 28°36’50”, Excel will treat it as text. This will make it impossible for you to do any calculations, sorting, filtering, etc. on this data. Converting them to decimal degree format will turn the coordinates into numeric values. This will allow Excel to easily work on the data.

Preparing Your Data

The data should be correctly organized in the workbook, and both latitude and longitude should be in separate columns. You should label each column correctly. This will help you when creating formulas, as you will not have to scroll up to. You should also make sure to back up the original data before starting the conversion process.

 

Convert Lat Long to Decimal in Excel

Method 1 – Manual Conversion Technique

Manual conversion of DMS to decimal degrees could be somewhat time-consuming, but it is undoubtedly possible when working with smaller datasets. The basic method is splitting the DMS values and then applying the conversion formula:

Degree Decimal = Degree + (Minutes/60) + (Seconds/3600)

First, input degree, minutes and seconds in three different columns for both latitude and longitude. Then, apply the above formula to each city. This will provide you with the latitude and longitude values with decimals. This process is mostly used when you are working with a large set of data.

Method 2 – Use Functions

Excel’s built-in function can be used to automate the conversion process from DMS to decimal degrees. Instead of computing each cell manually, functions like LEFT, MID, FIND, and mathematical operations facilitate the conversion seamlessly.

Here’s a simplified step offering an example: Concatenate the DMS into a single cell, and use a formula such as

=LEFT(A1, FIND(“°”, A1) – 1) + (MID(A1, FIND(“°”, A1) + 2, FIND(“‘”, A1) – FIND(“°”, A1) – 2)/60) + (MID(A1, FIND(“‘”, A1) + 2, FIND(“”””, A1) – FIND(“‘”, A1) – 2)/3600)

This design abstracts complications and transforms bulk entries swiftly, thus proving invaluable for projects with extensive data.

 

Advantages of Using Excel for Conversions

Excel excels at managing large quantities of data with precision and efficiency, particularly when it comes to coordinating conversions. The accuracy of Excel’s calculations ensures that each conversion from DMS to decimal degrees is uniform and dependable.

The use of formulas and functions allows for bulk processing of data without the need for repetitive manual entry. This not only preserves the integrity of the data but also significantly reduces the time commitment compared to manual methods.

 

Common Issues and Fixes

Formatting Issues

If the coordinate data is not formatted correctly, it may return an incorrect outcome as well. Excel may misread coordinates if they are not stored as text. To avoid this, it is important to convert the data to text before starting the conversion process. You can also use Text to Column or text functions to split and organize data into the components that you need for conversion.

Formula Errors

It may be common to encounter an error in a formula during conversion. But if you keep in mind the following points, you could fix the error in no time –

• Start by checking whether the formula is taking the correct cell references or not.
• Make sure that there are no misplaced or missing parentheses.
• Check that the values are in number format, not text.
• Divide minutes by 60 and seconds by 3600.
• Increase the decimal point to verify accuracy.
• Test your formula with sample data.

 

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Formula for Converting Latitude and Longitude to Decimal?

The formula for converting coordinates to decimal in Excel is =Degree + (Minute/60) + (Second/3600). Adding all these values will provide you with a single decimal value that will point you to the location.

Can Excel recognize Latitude and Longitude Formats?

Excel does not recognize latitude and longitude formats and treats them as general text. You need to format the data correctly by converting it to decimal degrees.

How to convert from Decimal to Lat Long?

Yes, it’s possible to reverse convert from decimal degrees to traditional latitude and longitude (DMS). The process involves multiplying the decimal by 60 to get the minutes and again by 60 to obtain the seconds. But remember, you’ll need to separate the whole number part (degree) from the fractional part before beginning the conversion to minutes and seconds.