Display a Graticule or Reference Grid | Feedback E-mail this topic Print this topic

Grids are applied to maps to provide a rectangular system for referencing and making measurements. ArcGIS Explorer provides a way to display a graticule or a reference grid on a map.

Depending on which coordinate units you specify, you can display a graticule (if you choose geographic coordinates) or a reference grid (if you choose U.S. National Grid or MGRS).

A graticule is a network of latitude and longitude lines that you can display of the map. In addtion to the numerical latitude and longitude values, labels display for geographically significant reference latitudes as well as the Prime Meridian. Note that coordinate values are arrayed around the target area of the display for the graticule and for the UTM grid's 100,000-meter square identification intersecting the target of the display for the reference grid.
Note that as you zoom in, the graticule and the reference grid will provide greater detail and a finer grid. Learn more about MGRS or the U.S. National Grid.

##### To display a graticule or reference grid

1. On the Display tab, in the Units group, choose a Coordinate type from the Coordinates dropdown.
2. Check the Grid check box.

You can display the graticule or reference grids in either 3D or 2D display mode, with one exception. In 2D display mode, if the coordinate system of the map is not geographic, the graticule or reference grids will not display. The exception is the commonly-used projected coordinate systems Web Mercator and Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere, for which the graticule will display in both 2D and 3D.