How to edit a gpx file in a spreadsheet and export the edited table to a new gpx?

Taming Your GPS Data: Editing GPX Files with Spreadsheets

Ever tracked a hike, bike ride, or road trip with your GPS, only to find the data a bit… wonky? Maybe the timestamps are off, or there are a few rogue data points throwing off your stats. While there are fancy GPX editors out there, sometimes the humble spreadsheet is your best friend for cleaning things up. Think of it as giving your GPS data a good spring cleaning!

GPX, or GPS Exchange Format, is basically the universal language for GPS data. It’s an XML-based format – don’t worry too much about the techy stuff – that neatly packages waypoints, routes, and tracks. Waypoints are like digital breadcrumbs marking points of interest. Routes are pre-planned paths, like plotting your course on a map. And tracks? Those are the detailed recordings of where you actually went, every twist and turn.

So, why wrangle your GPX files in a spreadsheet? Well, for starters, most of us are already comfortable with spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets. They’re familiar territory. But the real power comes when you need to make lots of changes at once. Imagine correcting a whole batch of elevation readings or snipping out that accidental detour you took when you missed a turn. Spreadsheets make these bulk edits a breeze. Plus, if you’re a data nerd like me, you can even do some quick analysis, like calculating speed or distance between points.

Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s how to get your GPX data into a spreadsheet and back out again, all shiny and new.

Now for the fun part – the editing! Here’s where you can really whip your data into shape:

• Zap Those Errors: Spot any obviously wrong data points? Maybe a coordinate that’s clearly in the wrong ocean? Fix ’em!
• Time Traveler: Did your GPS clock go haywire? Adjust those timestamps to get your timing right. This is super important if you want accurate speed or pace calculations.
• Snip, Snip: Get rid of any unwanted data points – those extra bits at the beginning or end of your recording, or that time you accidentally left the GPS on while grabbing coffee.
• Filter Frenzy: Use filters to isolate specific parts of your track. Want to look only at the uphill sections? Filter by elevation!
• Add Your Own Magic: Throw in some new waypoints, maybe marking that scenic overlook or the best burger joint on your route.

Alright, you’ve massaged your data to perfection. Time to turn it back into a GPX file.

Now, a few words of caution, because things can sometimes go sideways:

• Data Vanishing Act: Converting between formats can sometimes cause data to disappear, especially those less common GPX details. Always back up your original GPX file before you start messing around. Seriously.
• GPX Grammar Police: Your new GPX file might not be “valid” according to the official GPX rules. Think of it as having a grammatical error in a sentence. Use a GPX validator (yep, Google it) to check for any problems and fix them.
• Timey-Wimey Stuff: Make sure your timestamps are in the right format (ISO 8601 UTC, if you’re curious).
• Where in the World? GPX files use a specific coordinate system (WGS 84). Make sure your data is playing by those rules.

A few final tips to keep you out of trouble:

• Backup, Backup, Backup! I can’t stress this enough.
• Validate, Validate, Validate! A quick check with a validator can save you a lot of headaches.
• Converter Karma: Use reputable converters to avoid data corruption.
• Pro Tools: For really complex editing, consider using dedicated GPX editors. They’re like the power tools of GPS data manipulation.

So there you have it! Editing GPX files in a spreadsheet might seem a bit geeky, but it’s a surprisingly powerful way to clean up your GPS data and make it work for you. With a little know-how and a healthy dose of caution, you can become a GPX data-wrangling master!