To import and ensure your Common Separated Values (CSV) file is compatible with Virtual Surveyor, you'll need to organize the data in the .csv file for Virtual Surveyor to read it properly.
Overview
How to Import a CSV
To import a .csv (or .txt) file, you can use one of two options:
- Drag and drop your data anywhere in the Virtual Surveyor window.
or - Click or choose files and load your data from the File Explorer.
The information is loaded instantly and can be viewed on your Elevation Terrain as well as in the Project View.
CSV File Format
You can preview and change the .csv file information in programs like Excel or Notepad. Virtual Surveyor can read a .csv file that contains the following rows and columns of information:
- Column Headers
- Coordinates
- EPSG Code (optional)
Column Headers
You will need to make sure the .csv file has column headers. The point file must contain X, Y, and Z fields at a minimum. You can also include optional fields under the P, D, Photo, Layer, or Number headers. Virtual Surveyor uses the PXYZD column headers by default.
- P - Point number
- X - Easting/Westing coordinate of the point
- Y - Northing/Southing coordinate of the point
- Z - Elevation of the point
- D - Descriptor
- Layer - Point layer
| Column Header | Supported Terminology (not case sensitive) |
|---|---|
| P (Point Number) (can include both point numbers and descriptors) | p name label tag title |
| X | x xcoord x coord x-coord x coordinate x-coordinate longitude easting westing long |
| Y | y ycoord y coord y-coord y coordinate y-coordinate latitude northing southing lat |
| Z | z zcoord z coord z-coord z coordinate z-coordinate height elevation altitude |
| D (Descriptor) (does not include point numbers) | d descriptor |
| Photo path | photo image path |
| Layer | layer group |
| Number (does not include descriptors) | number |
Column Order and Optional Headers
The order of the columns is not significant, just make sure that the column header is over the appropriate information in each respective column. It's not an issue if the files contain extra columns generated by the survey equipment as Virtual Surveyor only reads the data in the columns with PXYZD, along with the additional headers Photo, Layer, and Number.
Below is an example image that includes the Layer column. Using a Layer column will automatically create a new layer (or multiple new layers) in the Project View. You create multiple layers in the Project View by using different names for different rows of coordinate data, or name all the rows under one Layer name to keep all your .csv data as a single layer in the Project View.
EPSG Code
The EPSG code is completely optional to include as part of your .csv file import. It is a simple yet powerful method for including your data coordinate system to your project when you upload your points so that they are more accurately located on your Elevation Terrain. If you do plan to include an EPSG number, place it in the first row of your .csv file without any spaces, and ensure it includes the "#" symbol, "EPGS", the colon ":", followed by the area number, e.g. "#EPGS:1234".
Regional Format Settings
Keep in mind that the .csv file is formatted according to your Windows regional settings. Before importing a .csv file, be sure to set different symbols for decimals and list separators. Have a look at that Windows support article to learn more about how to tune those settings. If you change your regional settings, don't forget to restart Virtual Surveyor before importing more point files.