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Welcome to ArcGIS Desktop Help
Copyright information
GIS Dictionary
What's new in ArcGIS

What's new in ArcGIS 9.2
Migration guides
Getting started
Fundamentals of GIS data
Introducing ArcGIS Desktop

What is ArcGIS 9.2

An overview of ArcGIS Desktop

Using ArcGIS Desktop

Mapping and visualization in ArcMap

The geodatabase

Workspace and dataset management with ArcCatalog

Data compilation and editing

Geoprocessing and analysis

ArcGIS Desktop extensions

Tips and tricks within ArcGIS
Tutorials
Toolbars

Core ArcMap toolbars

ArcCatalog toolbars

Extension toolbars

ArcScene toolbars

ArcGlobe toolbars

ArcReader toolbars
Getting more help
Map projections and coordinate systems
Mapping and visualization
An overview of mapping and visualization

An overview of ArcMap

Data frames

Map layers

Symbols and styles

Text

Cartographic representations

Map layouts and map printing

Graphs, reports, and animations

Common tasks within ArcMap

Shortcuts for common tasks within ArcMap
Using ArcMap

Layers, data frames, and the table of contents

Starting ArcMap

Creating a new map

Opening a map

Using the table of contents

About coordinate systems and map projections

Specifying a coordinate system

Referencing data in the map

Working with data frames

Pausing the map's drawing

Saving a map and exiting ArcMap

Saving to previous versions of ArcGIS

Keyboard shortcuts in ArcMap
Working with layers

Adding layers to a map

Adding x,y coordinate data as a layer

Changing a layer's drawing order

Changing a layer's text description

Setting layer properties

Managing group layers

Saving a layer to disk

Copying layers

Displaying layers at certain scales

Displaying a subset of features in a layer

Repairing broken data links

Viewing a layer's metadata in ArcMap
GIS service layers
Navigating and interacting with maps
Adding graphics and text to maps
Working with graphics
Working with text
Symbolizing data
Applying symbology
Styles and symbols
Animation
Using cartographic representations
Page layout and map composition
Getting started with laying out and printing maps
Map elements
Grids and graticules
Rulers and guides
Working with data frames in layout view
Creating interactive and paperless maps
Map output
Working with graphs and reports
Editing and data compilation

An overview of editing and data compilation
Getting started with editing
Common editing tasks
Creating new features

About creating new features

Creating point features and vertices

Creating lines and polygons

Creating segments using angles and lengths

Creating segments using angles from existing segments

Creating segments that are circular arc curves

Creating segments by tracing features

Creating buffers

Mirroring features

Combining features from different layers

Intersecting features

Merging and separating features

Copying parallel line features

Creating a fillet curve between two lines

Creating cul-de-sac lines

Creating lines with the Traverse window

Creating lines with the 2-Point Line window

Creating lines with the Offset Line window
Editing existing features
Editing attributes
Editing annotation

An overview of editing annotation

Creating new annotation features

Creating and editing annotation that follows features

Editing the size and position of annotation features

Editing annotation in the Attributes dialog box

Editing the appearance of annotation features

Editing feature-linked annotation
Editing dimension features
Using a digitizer
Spatial adjustment
Editing topology

About topology

Topology rules

Topology error fixes

Basic topology tasks

Creating a map topology

Editing features in a topology

Editing shared geometry

Topology validation

Topology errors and exceptions

Correcting topology errors

Finding features with shared topology elements

Clearing selected topology elements

Changing the symbology for topology features

Making new features with topology tools
Editing relationships and related objects
COGO

An overview of COGO

Common COGO workflows

About COGO descriptions

Adding COGO fields to a feature class

Traverse file format

Offset points file format

Applying a ground to grid correction

Reporting COGO descriptions

Using the Curve Calculator command

Using the COGO Area command

Splitting features into COGO lines
Geoprocessing

What is geoprocessing?

A whirlwind tour of geoprocessing

Geoprocessing tools

Geoprocessing framework

Frequently Asked Questions about geoprocessing
Fundamental tool concepts
Using geoprocessing tools

An overview of using tools
Using the tool dialog
Managing toolboxes
Managing tools and toolsets
Batch processing
Using tools in the command line
Tool layers
Automating your work with models

An overview of models

Creating a simple model
Model concepts and terms
Using ModelBuilder
Controlling the flow of processing
Model Iteration
Automating your work with scripts

An overview of writing geoprocessing scripts
Getting started with writing geoprocessing scripts
Accessing tools within a geoprocessing script
Batch processing with geoprocessing scripts
Messaging and script tools
Data properties and access when scripting
Working with AMLs
Scripting object: Properties and Methods
Geoprocessing environments

An overview of geoprocessing environments

Environment levels and hierarchy

Script environments

Specifying application environment settings

Specifying tool environment settings

Specifying model environment settings

Specifying model process environment settings
Environment categories
Documenting tools and toolboxes
Sharing tools and toolboxes

An overview of sharing tools and toolboxes

Methods for distributing tools

Pathnames explained: absolute, relative, UNC, and URL

A structure for sharing tools

Managing intermediate data

Accessing ArcSDE data in tools

Sharing Python modules
Sharing tools on an ArcGIS Server
Keeping track of geoprocessing history
Advanced modeling through simulations

An overview of advance modeling through simulations

General concepts of modeling through simulations
Developing the different modeling approaches
Geoprocessing tool reference

An overview of commonly used tools

Geoprocessing commands quick reference guide

Licensing for geoprocessing tools

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters
3D Analyst toolbox

An overview of the 3D Analyst toolbox

Understanding 3D data

Concepts of surface analysis

Working with TIN surfaces

Working with raster surfaces

3D visualization
3D Analyst Conversion toolset
Functional Surface toolset
Raster Interpolation toolset
Raster Math toolset
Raster Reclass toolset
Raster Surface toolset
Terrain toolset
TIN Creation toolset
TIN Surface toolset
Analysis toolbox

An overview of the Analysis toolbox

Comparison poster of Overlay and Extract tools

Analysis toolbox sample applications
Extract toolset
Overlay toolset
Proximity toolset
Statistics toolset
Business Analyst toolbox
Cartography toolbox
Conversion toolbox
Coverage toolbox

An overview of the Coverage toolbox
Analysis toolset
Conversion toolset
Data Management toolset
Data Interoperability toolbox

An overview of the Data Interoperability toolbox
Tools
Data Management toolbox

An overview of the Data Management toolbox
Data Comparison toolset
Database toolset
Disconnected Editing toolset
Distributed Geodatabase toolset
Domains toolset
Feature Class toolset
Features toolset
Fields toolset
File Geodatabase toolset
General toolset
Generalization toolset
Indexes toolset
Joins toolset
Layers and Table Views toolset
Projections and Transformations toolset
Raster toolset
Relationship Classes toolset
Subtypes toolset
Table toolset
Topology toolset
Versions toolset
Workspace toolset
Geocoding toolbox
Geostatistical Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Geostatistical Analyst toolbox

Understanding geostatistical analysis

Working with a geostatistical layer

Creating a grid from a geostatistical layer

Geostatistical Analyst toolbox sample applications
Tools
Linear Referencing toolbox
Multidimensional toolbox
Military Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Military Analyst toolbox
Data Management toolset
Geometry toolset
Utilities toolset
Military Overlay Editor toolbox

An overview of the Military Overlay Editor toolbox
Utilities toolset
Network Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Network Analyst toolbox
Analysis toolset
Network Dataset toolset
Turn Feature Class toolset
Server toolbox
Spatial Analyst toolbox
Spatial Statistics toolbox
Samples toolbox

An overview of the Samples toolbox
Conversion
Data Management
Tracking Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Tracking Analyst toolbox
Tools
Environment Settings
Geodatabases and ArcSDE
An overview of the Geodatabase

An overview of the Geodatabase

Table basics

Feature class basics

Raster basics

Types of geodatabases

Common Geodatabase Tasks
Architecture of a geodatabase
Designing a geodatabase

An overview of geodatabase design

Geodatabase design steps

Using ArcGIS Data Model designs

Documenting your geodatabase design

Modeling feature classes

A note about the use of UML for geodatabase design

Design Tips
Building a geodatabase
Creating a geodatabase
Defining the properties of a geodatabase
Adding datasets and other geodatabase elements
Working with geodatabase datasets
Data management workflows, transactions, and versioning
Getting started with editing and maintaining data
Working with non-versioned data
Working with versioned data
Managing Distributed Data
Archiving data
Geodatabase data storage and schema

How geodatabases are stored in a DBMS
Feature geometry and raster data storage
Inside a geodatabase in Oracle
Inside a geodatabase in SQL Server
Inside a geodatabase in DB2
Inside a geodatabase in Informix
Administering ArcSDE geodatabases
Administering File and Personal geodatabases

An overview of administering file and personal geodatabases

File geodatabases: compressing vs. compacting

Compacting file and personal geodatabases

About compressing file geodatabase data

Upgrading personal geodatabases

File geodatabases and the file system
Working with geodatabases using SQL
Data management with ArcCatalog
Data support in ArcGIS

An overview of data support in ArcGIS

Data formats supported in ArcGIS
CAD data
Coverages
NetCDF: multidimensional, time series data
Raster data
Understanding raster data
Properties of raster data
Designing a raster database
Building and managing a raster database
Raster display and visualization
Raster analysis and geoprocessing
Shapefiles

About shapefiles, dBASE tables, and file types

Shapefile file extensions

Creating new shapefiles and dBASE tables

Adding and deleting fields in shapefiles

Creating and updating indexes in shapefiles

Defining a shapefile's coordinate system

How to salvage a corrupt shapefile
Tables and attribute information
Understanding tables and attribute information
Creating tables and managing attribute information
Displaying tables and attribute information
Terrains
Understanding terrain datasets
Designing and managing terrain datasets
Geoprocessing and terrain analysis
Extensions
3D Analyst
ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension
ArcGIS Publisher
ArcScan
Getting started with ArcScan
Interactive vectorization
Automatic vectorization
Cell selection
Raster cleanup
Vectorization options and settings
Business Analyst
About ArcGIS Business Analyst
Business Analyst toolbar
Organizing your work and creating a study area
Adding data to Business Analyst
Trade areas - customer data required
Trade areas - no customer data required
Monitor and manage trade areas
Analysis
Modeling
Working with maps
Tools
Finding a route
Reports and batch tasks
Setting Business Analyst preferences
The Business Analyst 9.2 Importer
Data descriptions
Business Analyst tools reference
Appendix
Territory Design
Geostatistical Analyst
Maplex
Military Analyst
Military Overlay Editor

About MOLE

What's new in this release

Installation and setup

Accessing the MOLE getting started guide

MOLE documentation and additional ways to get help

MOLE considerations for ArcView users
Using MOLE with 2D maps
Using MOLE with 3D maps
The MOLE geodatabase schema
Using MOLE in terrain analysis
Tracking, real-time, and MOLE
Using MOLE with ArcSDE
Using MOLE with ArcIMS
Advanced topics
Frequently asked questions
Network Analyst
Getting started with Network Analyst
Network dataset concepts
Designing the network dataset
Building and editing the network dataset
Performing network analysis
Migrating to ArcGIS Network Analyst
Network Analyst tools reference
PLTS
Schematics
Spatial Analyst
Getting started with Spatial Analyst
Solving spatial problems
Performing analysis in Spatial Analyst
The Raster Calculator
Analysis concepts
Spatial Analyst functional reference
Survey Analyst
Tracking Analyst
Getting started with Tracking Analyst
Working with temporal data
Symbolizing temporal data
Displaying temporal data
Tracking Tools
Charting temporal data
Creating and applying actions
Working with real-time data
Geocoding and address management
Getting started with geocoding
Understanding geocoding
Preparing for geocoding
Building an address locator
Locating addresses

The geocoding process

Finding an individual address

Geocoding a table of addresses

Rematching a geocoded feature class
Additional geocoding techniques

Alternative searches

The Alternate Name table tab

The Alias Table dialog box

Building an address locator for alternative searches

Searching for an intersection

Building a composite address locator
Keeping an address locator current

Updating your reference data

Versioned data and the address locator

Rebuilding address locators
Distributing your address locator
Adjusting your address locator file

Exploring the address locator file

Why change your address locator file?

Changing default settings

Changing default settings in the address locator template file

Table schema and the locator file

Accommodating alternative reference table schema

Modifying the query

Accommodating changes in the geocoding rule base files

Address Locator Properties dialog box
About StreetMap data
Linear referencing
Getting started with linear referencing
Creating route feature classes

An overview of creating route feature classes

Creating route feature classes

Defining the measure properties of your m coordinates

Using existing linear features to create routes

Creating routes from existing lines

About calibrating route measures using points

Calibrating routes with points

Migrating route features to a geodatabase

Accessing the Create Routes wizard

Accessing the Calibrate Routes wizard
Displaying and querying routes feature classes

An overview of displaying and querying route feature classes

Working with route feature classes in ArcMap

Setting the route identifier field

Querying route feature classes

Displaying route measure anomalies

About hatching route feature classes

Hatching options

Displaying hatches

Manipulating the text on hatches

Working with hatch styles
Displaying and querying route events
Editing routes
Creating and editing event data

An overview of creating and editing event data

Creating event tables in ArcCatalog

About locating features along routes

Locating features along routes

Editing event tables in ArcMap
Working with route event data

An overview of working with route event data

About overlaying event data

Overlaying events

About aggregating event data

Aggregating route events

About transforming event measures

Transforming event measures

Accessing the Route Events Geoprocessing wizard
Network analysis
Mobile GIS
GPS

Getting started with ArcMap GPS Support

Adding the GPS toolbar

Connecting to a GPS device

Simulating a connection to a GPS device

Using the GPS Position window

Changing the display options

Keeping the current location in the view

Adding a destination

Writing GPS locations to a log
Tablet PC

An overview of Tablet PC technology

ArcGIS and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Adding the Tablet toolbar

Pen tool

Highlighter tool

Eraser tool

Commands on the Tablet toolbar
ArcPad integration
Interoperability and standards support

Overview of interoperability

Overview of OGC and ISO support

ESRI protocols and programming interfaces
GML support in ArcGIS

An overview of GML support in ArcGIS

How to work with GML in ArcGIS

Using the GML simple features profile

Using supported GML profiles

Adding new GML profiles
Customizing and developing with ArcGIS

An overview of customizing ArcGIS
Customizing the user interface

About customizing the user interface

Basic user interface elements

Hiding and showing toolbars

Creating custom toolbars

Changing a toolbar's or menu's contents

Changing a command's appearance

Creating shortcut keys

Setting toolbar options

Saving your customizations
Writing macros using VBA
Extending ArcGIS desktop applications

About extending ArcGIS
Guide to data that comes with ArcGIS
Licensing and desktop administration
ArcGIS Image Server
About the ArcGIS Image Server
Configuration and licensing
Designing an image service
Creating an image service

Adding the Image Service Editor toolbar

Working with the Image Service Editor

The workflow to create an image service

Creating a new image service

About the New Image Service Wizard parameters

Making a copy of an image service

Descriptions of the image service properties

The image service file structure
Working with image service group layers
Working with raster data in a service

Adding and removing raster data in a service

About the Add Data Wizard parameters

Selecting rasters in a service

An overview of raster properties

Working with transparency in an image service
Working with the image service
Image service processes

An overview of image service processes

Adding, removing, and chaining service processes

About specifying an auxiliary raster as the input to a process

Using the Classify Pixel process

Using the Colormap process

Using the Convert Pixel Type process

Using the Convolution Filter process

Using the Extract Bands process

Using the Grayscale process

Using the Histogram process

Using the Image Algebra process

Using the NDVI process

Using the Ortho process

Using the Pan-sharpen process

Using the Sampler2D process

Using the Spectral Matrix process

Using the Stack Bands process

Using the Stretching process

Using the Trend process

Using the Visualize Elevation process

Using the Warp processes
Publishing and administering the ArcGIS Image Server

Understanding the ArcGIS Image Server architecture

Working with the Image Server Manager

Managing the image servers

Managing service providers

Administering the server and service providers remotely

About scaling ArcGIS Image Server

Publishing image services

Authenticating an image service

Creation of server and service provider logs

Reviewing reports and error messages

Working with the Console Client

Distributing image services using ArcGIS Server

Printing layouts containing an image service

Optimization considerations for ArcGIS Image Server
ArcGIS Image Server Seamline extension

About the ArcGIS Image Server Seamline extension

Creating and deleting seamlines

Editing seamlines

Applying the seamline and feathering
ArcGIS Image Server Ortho extension
ArcGIS Image Server workflows
ArcGIS Image Server Clients
GIS Servers and services

An overview of GIS services

Servers and the services they provide

User, author, administrator, and developer roles

Types of ArcIMS services

Types of services in ArcGIS Server

WMS service

Using GIS Services in ArcGIS Desktop applications

Thinking about maps in web-enabled GIS applications

Understanding map caches in ArcGIS

Managing server connections in the GIS Servers folder
Authoring and publishing services
Administering ArcGIS Server with ArcCatalog