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

What's new in ArcGIS 9.3

What's new in ArcGIS 9.3.1
Migration guides
Getting started
Fundamentals of GIS

Three views of GIS

How maps convey geographic information

Georeferencing and coordinate systems

Elements of geographic information

How GIS represents and organizes geographic information

How ArcGIS users work with geographic information

Users work with many data types and data formats in ArcGIS

Comparing Geoprocessing and Spatial Analysis
Introducing ArcGIS Desktop
Tutorials

Tutorials

3D Analyst Tutorial

Animation in ArcMap Tutorial

ArcCatalog Tutorial

ArcMap Tutorial

ArcGIS Publisher Tutorial

ArcReader Tutorial

ArcScan Tutorial

Building a Geodatabase Tutorial

Database Servers Tutorial

Data Interoperability Tutorial

Editing Geodatabases Tutorial

Editing GIS Features Tutorial

Geocoding Tutorial

Geoprocessing Tutorial

Geostatistical Analyst Tutorial

Getting Started with ArcGIS Tutorial

Linear Referencing Tutorial

Maplex Tutorial

Network Analyst Tutorial

Representations Tutorial

Schematics Tutorial

Spatial Analyst Tutorial

StreetMap Tutorial

Survey Analyst Tutorial

Tracking Analyst Tutorial
Toolbars
Getting more help
Map projections and coordinate systems
Getting started with map projections
Geographic coordinate systems

About geographic coordinate systems

Spheroids and spheres

Datums

North American datums

What happens to features at +/-180 (dateline)?

GCS_Assumed_Geographic_1
Projected coordinate systems

About projected coordinate systems

About map projections

Projection types

Planar projections

Conic projections

Cylindrical projections

Other projections

Projection parameters
Geographic transformations

Geographic transformation methods

Equation-based methods

Grid-based methods
Supported map projections
Vertical coordinate systems
Mapping and visualization
Editing and data compilation

An overview of editing and data compilation
Getting started with editing

About editing your geodatabase in ArcMap

Adding the data you want to edit

Editing ArcSDE geodatabases

The structure of vector datasets

Adding the editing toolbars

Starting and stopping an edit session

The sketch construction tools

Using the snapping environment

About setting distance units

Setting direction measuring systems and units

Editing features that have z-values

Shortcut keys for editing in ArcMap

Frequently asked questions about editing
Common editing tasks

Common point editing tasks

Common line editing tasks

Common polygon editing tasks

Common annotation editing tasks

Common multipoint editing tasks

Editing data in a different projection
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

About editing dimension features

Creating dimension features

Modifying a dimension feature's geometry and style
Using a digitizer
Spatial adjustment

An overview of spatial adjustment

Adding the Spatial Adjustment toolbar

Setting up the spatial adjustment

Working with links

Working with link files and control point files

Previewing and performing the adjustment

Transferring attributes between features
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
Tables and attribute information
Understanding tables and attribute information

An overview of tables and attribute information

About tabular data sources

Common tables and attributes tasks

Keyboard shortcuts for working with tables
Creating tables and managing attribute information

Creating new tables

About ObjectID fields

Adding and deleting fields

Editing values in a table

Making field calculations

Working with date fields

Reloading the table cache

Exporting records

About joining and relating tables

Joining tables

Relating tables

Joining the attributes of features by location

Creating spatial data from tables

Working with Microsoft Excel files in ArcGIS

Working with Microsoft Access files in ArcGIS
Displaying tables and attribute information

Previewing a table in ArcCatalog

Adding and viewing tables in ArcMap

Setting field properties, aliases, and table display options

Navigating to and finding records in a table

Sorting records in a table

Selecting records in a table

Summarizing data in a table

Printing a table

Adding a table to a layout

Viewing statistics for a table

Creating a graph from a table

Creating a report from a table
Geoprocessing

What is geoprocessing?

A whirlwind tour of geoprocessing

Geoprocessing tools

Geoprocessing framework

Frequently Asked Questions about geoprocessing
Fundamental tool concepts
Using geoprocessing tools
Automating your work with models

An overview of models

Opening ModelBuilder

Creating a simple model

Saving a 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
Creating script tools
Batch processing with geoprocessing scripts
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

Sharing and connecting to UNC pathnames

Accessing ArcSDE data in tools

Techniques for sharing Python scripts

Managing intermediate data in shared models

Sharing stylesheets

Checklist for sharing tools and toolboxes
Geoprocessing with ArcGIS Server
Keeping track of geoprocessing history
Advanced modeling through simulations
Geoprocessing tool reference

An overview of commonly used tools

Geoprocessing commands quick reference guide

Licensing for geoprocessing tools

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters
Input and output data considerations

Overview of input and output data considerations

Geoprocessing considerations for subtypes

Geoprocessing considerations for attribute domains

Geoprocessing considerations for shapefile output

Geoprocessing considerations for cartographic representations
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
Business Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Business Analyst toolbox
Analysis toolset
Customer Setup toolset
Modeling toolset
Reports toolset
Segmentation Analysis toolset
Segmentation Profiles toolset
Store Setup toolset
Thematic Maps toolset
Trade Areas toolset
Cartography toolbox
Conversion toolbox
Coverage toolbox
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
Linear Referencing toolbox

An overview of the Linear Referencing toolbox

Understanding linear referencing

Creating route data

Creating and editing event data

Linear Referencing sample applications
Tools
Military Analyst toolbox
Mobile toolbox
Military Overlay Editor toolbox
Multidimensional toolbox
Network Analyst toolbox
Server toolbox
Schematics toolbox

An overview of the Schematics toolbox
Tools
Spatial Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Spatial Analyst toolbox

Solving problems in Spatial Analyst

Understanding raster data

Performing analysis in Spatial Analyst

Spatial Analyst toolbox sample applications
Conditional toolset
Density toolset
Distance toolset
Extraction toolset
Generalization toolset
Groundwater toolset
Hydrology toolset
Interpolation toolset
Local toolset
Map Algebra toolset
Math toolset
Multivariate toolset
Neighborhood toolset
Overlay toolset
Raster Creation toolset
Reclass toolset
Solar Radiation toolset
Surface toolset
Zonal toolset
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

Environment settings
General settings
Cartography settings
Coverage settings
Geodatabase settings
Geostatistical Analysis settings
Raster Analysis settings
Raster Storage settings
Tool errors and warnings

Understanding geoprocessing tool errors and warnings
Tool errors and warnings: 1-100
Tool errors and warnings: 101-200
Tool errors and warnings: 201-300
Tool errors and warnings: 301-400
Tool errors and warnings: 401-500
Tool errors and warnings: 501-600
Tool errors and warnings: 601-700
Tool errors and warnings: 701-800
Tool errors and warnings: 801-900
Tool errors and warnings: 901-1000
Tool errors and warnings: 1001-1100
Tool errors and warnings: 10001-10100
Tool errors and warnings: 10101-10200
Tool errors and warnings: 10201-10300
Tool errors and warnings: 10301-10400
Tool errors and warnings: 10401-10500
Tool errors and warnings: 20001-20100
Tool errors and warnings: 30001-30100
Tool errors and warnings: 40001-40100
Tool errors and warnings: 40101-40200
Tool errors and warnings: 40301-40400
Tool errors and warnings: 40401-40500
Tool errors and warnings: 45001-45100
Tool errors and warnings: 50001-50100
Tool errors and warnings: 70001-70100
Tool errors and warnings: 80001-80100
Tool errors and warnings: 80101-80200
Tool errors and warnings: 80201-80300
Tool errors and warnings: 85001-85100
Tool errors and warnings: 90001-90100
Tool errors and warnings: 99998-99999
Geodatabases and ArcSDE
An overview of the geodatabase
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
Geodatabase data storage and schema

A short history lesson on simple features

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

An overview of ArcSDE geodatabase administration

What is ArcSDE?

Administering ArcSDE for DB2

Administering ArcSDE for Informix

Administering ArcSDE for Oracle

Administering ArcSDE for PostgreSQL

Administering ArcSDE for SQL Server

Administering a database server
Installing and upgrading the ArcSDE component
Configuring an ArcSDE geodatabase
Creating and administering user accounts
Connecting to an ArcSDE geodatabase
Maintaining a geodatabase
Tuning an ArcSDE geodatabase
Scaling and moving your geodatabase
Administering File and Personal geodatabases
Working with geodatabases using SQL

An overview of working with ST_Geometry storage using SQL

Spatial relationships

Spatial operations

Geometry properties

SQL implementation differences for the ST_Geometry type
Using spatial types with SQL
SQL functions reference
Data management with ArcCatalog

An overview of ArcCatalog

About workspaces
Getting started with ArcCatalog
Building the Catalog

About folders and file types

Managing folder connections

Creating and accessing geodatabases

Creating spatial database connections

Adding OLE DB connections

About database server connections

About GIS servers and services

Connecting to GIS servers

Working with database connections

Hiding folders and items

Altering the data formats read by ArcCatalog

Working with file types

Accessing delimited text file data
Managing the Catalog's contents
Exploring an item's geography
Searching for items
Working with metadata

About metadata

Metadata standards and the ArcGIS metadata format

ArcGIS support for the ISO 19139 metadata standard

Exploring an item's metadata

Changing the default stylesheet

Printing metadata

Creating and updating metadata

Metadata synchronization

Writing metadata documentation

Importing and exporting metadata with ArcCatalog

Importing and exporting metadata

Editing metadata

Using the FGDC metadata editor

Using the ISO metadata editor

Managing enclosures

Requirements for publishing metadata to an ArcIMS Metadata Service

Adding information required by the ArcIMS Metadata Service

Publishing metadata to an ArcIMS Metadata Service

Managing published metadata documents

Changing a published document's properties

Adding custom places to a Gazetteer Metadata Service

Customizing metadata
Image and raster data management
Understanding raster data

What is raster data?

Raster bands

Cell size of raster data

Representing features in a raster dataset

Discrete and continuous data

Raster dataset zones and regions

Raster dataset attribute tables

Raster data organization

Gathering basic raster dataset information
Supported raster data
Properties of raster data
Designing a raster database

Design methodology for a raster database

Why store rasters in a geodatabase

Example raster case studies including the storage decisions

Raster datasets as attributes

More details about rasters in ArcGIS
Building and managing a raster database
Raster display and visualization
Raster analysis and geoprocessing
Serving raster data
Data support in ArcGIS
Extensions

About ArcGIS Desktop extensions

Evaluating ArcGIS Desktop extensions
3D Analyst
Getting started with 3D Analyst
3D Analyst concepts
Creating 3D views
3D surfaces
TIN surfaces
Raster surfaces
Terrain surfaces
3D features
3D navigation
3D navigation tools
Displaying rasters, terrains, and TINs
Displaying features in 3D
3D symbology
Displaying 3D graphics
Interactive 3D analysis tools
Geoprocesing with 3D Analyst
Data Interoperability

About the Data Interoperability help system

An overview of Data Interoperability

Key concepts of the Data Interoperability extension

Using the Data Interoperability tools
Common tasks using Data Interoperability
Using the Data Interopability tools
ArcGIS for AutoCAD
ArcGIS Publisher
ArcScan
ArcSketch
Business Analyst
Geostatistical Analyst
Getting started with Geostatistical Analyst
The principles of Geostatistical Analyst
Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA)
Deterministic methods
Creating a surface with geostatistical techniques
Using analytical tools when generating surfaces
Displaying and managing geostatistical layers
Additional geostatistical analysis tools
Geostatistical simulations
JTX
Maplex
Getting started with Maplex
Label Positions for Points
Label Positions for Lines
Label Positions for Polygons
Label fitting strategies
Resolving label conflicts
Common labeling tasks
Military Analyst
Military Overlay Editor

About MOLE

What's new in this release

Installation and setup

Accessing the Installing and Getting Started with Defense Solutions guide

MOLE documentation and additional ways to get help
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
Other ESRI applications compatible with MOLE
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

An overview of Survey Analyst
Cadastral Editor
Survey Editor
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

What is an address?

The geocoding work flow

The geocoding framework

The process of geocoding

Customization of the address locator

Common geocoding tasks
Preparing for geocoding

Understanding address locator styles

Commonly used address locator styles

Preparing reference and address data

Standardizing your reference data
Building an address locator
Locating addresses

The geocoding process

Finding an individual address

Getting an address of a location

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
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
Network analysis
Mobile GIS

An overview of Mobile GIS
ArcGIS Mobile integration
GPS
Tablet PC
ArcPad integration
Interoperability and standards support

Overview of interoperability

Overview of OGC and ISO support

ESRI protocols and programming interfaces
GML support in ArcGIS
WFS support in ArcGIS
WCS support in ArcGIS
WMS support in ArcGIS
KML support in ArcGIS
Customizing and developing with ArcGIS
Guide to data that comes with ArcGIS
Licensing and desktop administration
GIS Servers and services