GPS Coordinates
Accurate GPS coordinates are essential for mapping, navigation, and regulatory reporting in DrillerDB. The system provides multiple methods for capturing and managing location data, ensuring every project has precise geographic information.
Quick Start: Add Coordinates
- Open project record
- Navigate to location section
- Choose method: address, manual, or Adjust Location map modal
- Enter or select location
- Save project
- Map displays with marker
Adding GPS Coordinates
DrillerDB offers three methods for adding GPS coordinates to projects.
Method Comparison
| Method | Best For | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Address Geocoding | Most projects | Auto-converts address to coordinates |
| Manual Entry | Survey/regulatory data | Direct latitude/longitude input |
| Adjust Location modal | Visual selection | Use map modal to set/refine location |
Method 1: Address Geocoding
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Enter street address in location field |
| 2 | System contacts Google Maps API |
| 3 | Address converts to coordinates automatically |
| 4 | Happens in real-time or on save |
Method 2: Manual Entry
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find coordinates from source (survey, GPS, records) |
| 2 | Enter latitude value |
| 3 | Enter longitude value |
| 4 | Use decimal degrees format (e.g., 43.074722, -89.384444) |
Method 3: Adjust Location Modal
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Click Adjust Location |
| 2 | Interactive map modal opens |
| 3 | Click desired location on map |
| 4 | Coordinates captured and stored |
Address geocoding is the most common and easiest method. Use manual entry when you have precise coordinates from surveys or GPS devices.
Coordinate Formats
DrillerDB accepts GPS coordinates in multiple formats and automatically converts them to decimal degrees for internal storage and API compatibility.
Supported Formats
| Format | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees | 43.074722, -89.384444 | Preferred format, no conversion needed |
| Degrees Minutes Seconds | 43° 04' 29" N, 89° 23' 04" W | Common in surveying/regulatory docs |
| Degrees Decimal Minutes | 43° 04.488' N, 89° 23.066' W | Auto-converted on entry |
| UTM | 13N 500000 4427757 | Zone and hemisphere, easting, northing in meters. Colorado projects only |
Format Conversion
| Input Format | System Action |
|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees | Stored directly |
| DMS or DDM | Auto-converted to Decimal Degrees |
| UTM on a Colorado project | Auto-converted to Decimal Degrees when you save |
| Invalid format | Error message displayed |
Use Decimal Degrees format when possible. It works with all mapping APIs and provides the highest precision without conversion.
UTM on Colorado Projects
Colorado projects carry a fourth format. DrillerDB shows the UTM equivalent of the project's location beside the other formats, and lets you type a location in UTM. The project's state has to be Colorado. On any other project the UTM readout and the UTM tab are not there.
| What you get | Where it is |
|---|---|
| UTM readout | Under the Latitude and Longitude fields, next to the DMS and DDM values |
| UTM readout | On the coordinate chip in the corner of the site map, on the project and on the work order location card |
| UTM entry tab | In the Adjust GPS Location modal, beside Map pick, Decimal entry, and DMS entry |
Step-by-Step: Enter a Location in UTM
- Open a Colorado project and click Adjust Location.
- Click the UTM entry tab. If the project already has coordinates, the field starts with them in UTM, so you can read the current location before you change it.
- Type the zone and hemisphere, the easting, then the northing, separated by spaces, as in
13N 500000 4427757. - Click Update Location. DrillerDB converts the entry and saves the location.
The work order location card opens the same modal with two tabs, Map / decimal and UTM entry, and its button reads Save Location.
Which Zone to Use
| Zone | Covers |
|---|---|
| 12N | Colorado west of 108 degrees west |
| 13N | Colorado east of 108 degrees west |
DrillerDB reads the zone from the longitude, so a readout on an existing project already shows the right one. You type the zone yourself when you enter a location.
An entry DrillerDB cannot place in zone 12N or 13N is refused with this message: "Enter valid UTM coordinates in zone 12N or 13N, for example 13N 500000 4427757. Easting and northing must fall within the entered zone." Nothing is saved until the entry is valid, so correct it and click the button again.
UTM is an entry and display format. DrillerDB still stores decimal degrees, so maps, directions, exports, and state reports work exactly as they do on a project you set from the map.
Coordinate Validation
The system validates all GPS coordinates to ensure accuracy and catch errors.
Validation Rules
| Check | Valid Range | Error If Outside |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude | -90 to 90 degrees | Rejected with error |
| Longitude | -180 to 180 degrees | Rejected with error |
| North America | Within continent bounds | Warning triggered |
Special Validation Cases
| Value | Status | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 0, 0 | Flagged | Likely geocoding failure |
| Outside North America | Warning | Possible data entry error |
| Invalid format | Rejected | Cannot be parsed |
Projects with invalid coordinates cannot be displayed on maps until the coordinates are corrected.
Adjusting Coordinates
GPS coordinates can be adjusted at any time from the project details screen.
Step-by-Step: Adjust Coordinates
- Open project record
- Click Adjust Location button
- Edit mode activates
- Use any input method:
- Type new address
- Enter new lat/long values
- Set location on the map modal
- Marker updates in real-time
- Click Save to confirm
What Gets Logged
| Change | Logged |
|---|---|
| Coordinate update | Yes, with timestamp |
| Who made change | Yes, user recorded |
| Previous value | Yes, for audit trail |
The audit trail of location changes is important for regulatory compliance and troubleshooting mapping issues.
Coordinate Precision
DrillerDB stores GPS coordinates with six decimal place precision.
Precision Details
| Decimal Places | Accuracy | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 6 places stored | ~4 inches | Meets all drilling industry needs |
| 5 places displayed | ~3.3 feet | Readable format for users |
Storage vs Display
| Aspect | Value |
|---|---|
| Database precision | 6 decimal places |
| User display | 5 decimal places |
| Actual data | Full precision maintained |
Importing Coordinates
Bulk coordinate updates are supported through the project import system.
Import Process
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare CSV or Excel file |
| 2 | Include project identifiers |
| 3 | Include GPS coordinates |
| 4 | Upload file |
| 5 | System validates all entries |
| 6 | Review flagged errors |
| 7 | Complete import |
Import File Requirements
| Column | Required | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Project ID | Yes | Match existing project |
| Latitude | Yes | Any supported format |
| Longitude | Yes | Any supported format |
Invalid coordinates are flagged in import results. Correct errors before completing the import.
Regulatory Reporting
Many states require GPS coordinates in well completion reports and regulatory submissions.
State Format Requirements
| State | Required Format |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin DNR | Decimal Degrees, 5 places |
| Other states | Adapts to jurisdiction |
Automatic Formatting
| Export Type | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin DNR submission | Auto-formatted to spec |
| Other state reports | Format adapted automatically |
| Custom exports | Your preference applied |
DrillerDB automatically formats coordinates for each state's requirements, eliminating manual conversion.
Troubleshooting
Coordinates won't save?
- Check format is supported
- Verify latitude/longitude ranges
- Try decimal degrees format
Geocoding placing marker wrong?
- Rural addresses often geocode poorly
- Use Adjust Location to correct position
- Try more specific address
Coordinates showing 0, 0?
- Geocoding likely failed
- Enter coordinates manually
- Use Adjust Location to set location
Import failing validation?
- Check file format (CSV/Excel)
- Verify coordinate format consistency
- Review flagged rows for errors
Map not showing marker?
- Project may lack coordinates
- Coordinates may be invalid
- Check validation status
No UTM entry tab in the modal?
- UTM entry is Colorado only
- Check the project's state is Colorado
- Set the state on the project, then reopen the modal
UTM entry refused?
- Use zone 12N or 13N
- Type the easting before the northing
- Check both values fall inside the zone you typed
Related Topics
- Project Map - Individual project maps
- Job Map - All projects on map
- Directions - Navigation integration
- Map Filtering - Filter map markers