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

Core ArcMap toolbars

ArcCatalog toolbars

Extension toolbars

ArcScene toolbars

ArcGlobe toolbars

ArcReader toolbars
Getting more help
Map projections and coordinate systems
Getting started with map projections

An overview of map projections

Projection basics the GIS professional needs to know

About the geoid, ellipsoid, spheroid and datum, and how they are related

Identifying an unknown coordinate system

Converting Degrees Minutes Seconds values to Decimal Degree values
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
Geographic transformations

Geographic transformation methods

Equation-based methods

Grid-based methods
Supported map projections

List of supported map projections

Aitoff

Alaska Grid

Alaska Series E

Albers Equal Area Conic

Azimuthal Equidistant

Behrmann Equal Area Cylindrical

Bipolar Oblique Conformal Conic

Bonne

Cassini-Soldner

Chamberlin Trimetric

Craster Parabolic

Cube

Cylindrical Equal Area

Double Stereographic

Eckert I

Eckert II

Eckert III

Eckert IV

Eckert V

Eckert VI

Equidistant Conic

Equidistant Cylindrical

Equirectangular

Fuller

Gall's Stereographic

Gauss-Krüger

Geocentric Coordinate System

Geographic Coordinate System

Gnomonic

Goodes Homolosine

Great Britain National Grid

Hammer-Aitoff

Hotine Oblique Mercator

Krovak

Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area

Lambert Conformal Conic

Local Cartesian Projection

Loximuthal

McBryde-Thomas Flat-Polar Quartic

Mercator

Miller Cylindrical

Mollweide

New Zealand National Grid

Orthographic

Perspective

Plate Carrée

Polar Stereographic

Polyconic

Quartic Authalic

Rectified Skewed Orthomorphic

Robinson

Simple Conic

Sinusoidal

Space Oblique Mercator

State Plane Coordinate System

Stereographic

Times projection

Transverse Mercator

Two-Point Equidistant

Universal Polar Stereographic

Universal Transverse Mercator

Van der Grinten I

Vertical Near-Side Perspective

Winkel I

Winkel II

Winkel Tripel
Vertical coordinate systems

About vertical coordinate systems

Vertical datums

Geoid
Mapping and visualization
An overview of mapping and visualization
Using ArcMap
Working with layers

Adding layers to a map

Adding a layer package to your 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

Setting HTML pop-up properties for feature layers
Navigating and interacting with maps
Navigating maps and layout pages
Interacting with maps
Adding graphics and text to maps
Symbolizing data
Animation
Using cartographic representations
Getting started with representations
Representation concepts
Working with representations
Editing feature 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
Map series
Designing maps for optimal performance
Working with graphs and reports
Working with web maps in ArcGIS

An overview of GIS Web map layers

Working with ArcGIS Server in ArcGIS Desktop
Using services from ArcGIS Server
Using services from ArcIMS
Using OGC Services
Using KML
Using ArcGIS Online
Using image service layers
Working with service layers in the table of contents
Printing and exporting maps containing service layers
Publishing optimized map services in ArcGIS

Publishing optimized map services

Drawing differences between ArcMap and optimized map services
Map Service Publication Toolbar error messages
Map Service Publication Toolbar warning messages
Map Service Publishing Toolbar information messages
Editing and data compilation

An overview of editing and data compilation
Getting started with 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
Editing existing features

Moving features

Rotating features

Copying and pasting features

Deleting features

Adding and deleting vertices

Moving vertices

Editing attribute values of a vertex

Reshaping lines and polygons using a sketch

Splitting polygon features

Splitting line features

Trimming lines

Extending lines

Flipping lines

Scaling features

Clipping features

Stretching a feature's geometry proportionately

Simplifying and smoothing features
Editing attributes

Editing attributes

Copying and pasting attributes

Deleting attributes

Editing with default values and attribute domains

About updating data using SQL
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
Editing relationships and related objects

About editing relationships and related objects

Editing relationships and related objects
COGO
Tables and attribute information
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
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

An overview of documenting tools and toolboxes

An overview of the Documentation Editor

Entering topics in the Documentation Editor

Using the page editor

Documenting models

Documenting scripts

Viewing documentation for tools

Changing tool dialog appearance

Referencing a compiled help file

Exporting tool documentation to an HTML file
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
Analysis toolbox
Business Analyst toolbox
Cartography toolbox
Conversion toolbox

An overview of the Conversion toolbox
From Raster toolset
From WFS
Metadata toolset
To CAD toolset
To Coverage toolset
To dBASE toolset
To Geodatabase toolset
To Raster toolset
To Shapefile toolset
To KML toolset
Coverage toolbox
Data Interoperability toolbox

An overview of the Data Interoperability toolbox
Tools
Data Management toolbox
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

Parallel processing with multiple CPUs
Tools
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

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

An overview of the Multidimension toolbox
Tools
Network Analyst toolbox
Server toolbox
Schematics toolbox

An overview of the Schematics toolbox
Tools
Spatial Analyst toolbox
Spatial Statistics toolbox

An overview of the Spatial Statistics toolbox

Modeling spatial relationships

Spatial Statistics toolbox sample applications

What is a Z score What is a p-value
Analyzing Patterns toolset
Mapping Clusters toolset
Measuring Geographic Distributions toolset
Modeling Spatial Relationships toolset
Rendering toolset
Utilities toolset
Samples toolbox

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

An overview of the Tracking Analyst toolbox
Tools
Environment Settings
Tool errors and warnings
Geodatabases and ArcSDE
An overview of the geodatabase

An overview of the geodatabase

Essential readings about the geodatabase

Table basics

Feature class basics

Raster basics

Types of geodatabases

Client and geodatabase compatibility

Common geodatabase tasks
Architecture of a geodatabase

Architecture of a geodatabase

Geodatabase storage is based on relational principles

Where does the application logic belong?

The geodatabase is object-relational

Geodatabase storage in relational databases

Geodatabase transaction management

Geodatabase XML
Designing a geodatabase
Building a geodatabase
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
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 file and personal geodatabases

File geodatabases and Windows Explorer

File geodatabase size and name limits

File geodatabases and locking
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
Managing the Catalog's contents
Exploring an item's geography

Previewing an item's geographic data

Exploring data in Geography view

Creating thumbnails
Searching for items

About search results

Finding items using the Search tool

Searching with geographic criteria

Searching with temporal criteria

Searching with keywords

Working with search results
Working with metadata
Image and raster data management
Data support in ArcGIS

An overview of data support in ArcGIS

Data formats supported in ArcGIS
CAD data
The composition of a CAD drawing
Working with CAD data in ArcGIS
Displaying CAD features
Georeferencing CAD data
CAD feature attributes and queries
CAD data translation
Geoprocessing tools for CAD translation
Common CAD data workflows
Coverages

What is a coverage

Summary of coverage feature classes

Coverage resolution (precision)

How coverages are stored

Creating a new coverage

Understanding and maintaining attributes in a coverage

About fields (items) in coverage attribute tables

Creating a new INFO table

About the coverage extent

Coverage tics

Defining a coverage's coordinate system

Coverage topology

Coverage tolerances

Coverage relationships and relationship classes

Coverage data limitations

Importing an ArcInfo interchange file (E00)
NetCDF: multidimensional, time series data
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
Terrains
Extensions

About ArcGIS Desktop extensions

Evaluating ArcGIS Desktop extensions
3D Analyst
Data Interoperability
ArcGIS for AutoCAD

What is ArcGIS for AutoCAD?

Who should use ArcGIS for AutoCAD

Installation

What is ArcGIS Online?
Map service layers
Feature class layers
Coordinate systems
Customization
Tutorial
Troubleshooting
ArcGIS Publisher
ArcScan
Getting started with ArcScan
Interactive vectorization
Automatic vectorization
Cell selection
Raster cleanup
Vectorization options and settings
ArcSketch
Business Analyst
About ArcGIS Business Analyst
Business Analyst toolbar
Projects and Data Organization
Study Areas
Adding data to Business Analyst
Trade Areas - no customer data required
Trade Areas - customer data required
Trade Areas - monitor and manage
Analysis
Modeling
Tools
Tools - Geoprocessing in Business Analyst
Business Analyst Preferences
Working with maps
Reports - general
Reports - point and ranking based
Documentation - USA Data
Documentation - Canada Data
Business Analyst Server
Territory Design
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
Overview of JTX
Using JTX
Configuring JTX
Administering 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
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

Welcome to PLTS for ArcGIS
What's new in PLTS for ArcGIS
Getting started with Foundation
Production procedures
Managing map documents with the product library
Creating a geodatabase
Editing data in PLTS
Symbolizing data
Validating data with GIS Data ReViewer
Generating grids with the Grid Manager
Creating map series with MPS-Atlas
Working with PLTS cartographic elements
Creating map series with Map Production System
Geoprocessing tools in PLTS for ArcGIS
PLTS for ArcGIS Aeronautical Solution
PLTS for ArcGIS Defense Solution
PLTS for ArcGIS Nautical Solution
PLTS for ArcGIS product specification development
Schematics
Working with ArcGIS Schematics
Schematics Designer
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
Linear referencing
Network analysis
Mobile GIS
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

An overview of GIS servers used with ArcGIS
Using ArcIMS with ArcGIS Desktop
Using ArcGIS Server with ArcGIS Desktop

An overview to using ArcGIS Server with ArcGIS Desktop

About the roles of GIS end users, authors, developers, and administrators

Types of services in ArcGIS Server
Authoring and publishing services for ArcGIS Server

An overview of authoring and publishing services

Data access considerations for ArcGIS Server

Publishing resources
Administering ArcGIS Server with ArcCatalog
Creating and publishing web maps for ArcGIS Server

An overview of Web GIS

A framework for deploying Web GIS

Web GIS concepts for GIS users

Types of GIS map applications

Steps for implementing GIS map applications

How to build online base maps

Building operational map layers

Managing the performance of GIS mapping services

Distributing maps, globes, and layers on the Web