You have received a text file with XY coordinates. What would you do to see this data spatially in ArcMap?

To visualize XY coordinates from a text file in ArcMap, the key action is to use the Display XY Data tool. This tool allows you to directly map the coordinates by interpreting the X and Y fields contained within your text file. When using this function, ArcMap creates a temporary point layer based on the coordinate values provided, enabling you to view and analyze the spatial distribution of that data immediately.

This method is efficient for quickly assessing the spatial characteristics of the data without having to go through the additional steps of exporting or converting the file into other formats. It allows users to visualize the points on a map, helping to establish geographic patterns or relationships in the data right away.

The other options, while relevant in different contexts, involve additional steps or processes that are not necessary when the objective is simply to visualize the data. For instance, adding the table to ArcMap's Table of Contents would not display the spatial data; it would only incorporate the data into the project's documentation without any representation on the map. Exporting the text file to a shapefile or a geodatabase table involves a conversion process that is not required for immediate visualization and might delay the analysis by introducing additional steps.