An overview of commonly used tools
Release 9.2 Last modified June 27, 2006

Geoprocessing is one of the most powerful components of a geographic information system (GIS). Geoprocessing allows you to define, manage, and analyze the information used to form decisions.

Geoprocessing is based on a framework of data transformation. A typical geoprocessing operation performs an operation on a dataset and produces a second dataset as the result of the operation. Geoprocessing your data within the ArcGIS environment lets you perform geoprocessing operations using many different data types and methods, andit gives you access to hundreds of geoprocessing tools.

ArcGIS has over 200 available geoprocessing tools. Many more tools are available with ArcGIS extensions. Although you many find each of these tools useful to your workflow at some time, 18 tools are the most commonly used for GIS analysis (excluding conversion tools). All of the basic and higly used tools are available with all ArcGIS licenses, and all tools are available with an ArcGIS ArcInfo license.

Tools available in ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo

Geoprocessing forms a vital part of the work many companies do with a GIS. Countless geoprocessing tasks may be performed on a daily basis. Some of the most commonly used geoprocessing tools are available with any ArcGIS license. These include Append, Buffer, Dissolve, Intersect, Union, and Clip.

Append

Append is one of the Data Management tools for manipulating feature classes. This tool merges multiple feature classes together to create a single feature class.

Learn more about the Append tool

Buffer

Buffer is one of the Analysis tools used in calculating proximity. This tool creates a new feature class of buffer polygons around either polygon, line, or point features.

Learn more about the Buffer tool

Clip

Clip is one of the Analysis tools used for extracting features or parts of features from a feature class. This tool uses a polygon boundary to cut features and their attributes from a feature class.

Learn more about the Clip toop

Dissolve

Dissolve is one of the Data Management tools used for generalizing features. This tool combines like features based on a specified attribute or attributes.

Learn more about the Dissolve tool

Integrate

Integrate is one of the Data Management tools for manipulating feature classes. This tool compares feature classes and makes identical or coincident any lines or vertices that are within a certain distance of one another.

Intersect

Intersect is one of the Analysis tools used to perform overlay analysis on feature classes. This tool builds a new feature class from the intersecting features common in both feature classes.

Learn more about the Intersect tool

Union

Union is another Analysis tool used to perform overlay analysis on feature classes. This tool builds a new feature class by combining the features and attributes of each feature class.

Learn more about the Union tool

Additional commonly used tools available with ArcInfo

The following commonly used tools are available with an ArcInfo license.

Add XY Coordinates

Add XY Coordinates is one of the Data Management tools for managing features and their attributes. This tool adds the POINT_X and POINT_Y fields to the feature's attribute table and calculates the x,y location for the fields for labels, points, tics, or nodes.

Learn more about the Add XY Coordinates tool

Erase

Erase is one of the Analysis tools used to perform overlay analysis on feature classes. This tool creates a feature class from those features or portions of features outside the erase feature class.

Learn more about the Erase tool

Feature to Line, Feature to Point, and Feature to Polygon

Feature to Line, Feature to Point, and Feature to Polygon are Data Management tools used for manipulating features. These tools create line, point, or polygon features from other features.

Learn more about the Feature to Line tool

Learn more about the Feature to Point tool

Learn more about the Feature to Polygon tool

Identity

Identity is another Analysis tool used to perform overlay analysis on feature classes. This tool combines the portions of features that overlap the identity features to create a new feature class.
Learn more about the Identity tool

Near

Near is one of the Analysis tools used in calculating proximity. This tool computes the distance from each point in the input feature class or layer to the nearest polyline, or point, in the near feature class or layer, within the maximum search radius.
Learn more about the Near tool

Point Distance

Point Distance is another Analysis tool used in calculating proximity. This tool computes the point-to-point distance between each point in a feature class or layer to all points in the same or different feature class or layer, within a specified search radius.
Learn more about the Point Distance tool

Split

Split is one of the Analysis tools used for extracting features or parts of features from a feature class. This tool breaks the features into multiple features.
Learn more about the Split tool

Symmetrical Difference

Symmetrical Difference is one of the Analysis tools used to perform overlay analysis on feature classes. This tool creates a feature class from those features or portions of features that are not common to any of the other inputs.
Learn more about the Symmetrical Difference tool

Update

Update is another one of the Analysis tools used to perform overlay analysis on feature classes. This tool updates the attributes and geometry of an input feature class or layer by the Update feature class or layer that they overlap.
Learn more about the Update tool