Collapse all

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
Map projections and coordinate systems
Mapping and visualization
An overview of mapping and visualization
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
Navigating and interacting with maps
Adding graphics and text to maps
Symbolizing data
Applying symbology
Styles and symbols
Animation
Using cartographic representations
Getting started with representations
Representation concepts
Working with representations
Editing feature representations
Page layout and map composition
Working with graphs and reports
Looking at data with graphs
(Pre-ArcGIS 9.2) Looking at data with graphs
Creating 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
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
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
Editing topology
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

An introduction to the fundamental tools

Overlay analysis

Proximity analysis

Table analysis and management

Surface creation and analysis

Statistical analysis

Extracting data
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
Documenting tools and toolboxes
Sharing tools and toolboxes
Geoprocessing with ArcGIS Server

An overview of geoprocessing with ArcGIS Server

Key concepts for geoprocessing services

Guide to related geoprocessing with server topics

Input and output data types

Creating models for geoprocessing services

Preparing map documents containing tool layers

Defining output symbology for geoprocessing tasks

Defining symbology for input feature sets

Publishing geoprocessing services

Managing the jobs directory

Deploying services on multiple computers - LocalJobsDirectory

Data access considerations for geoprocessing tasks

Creating tasks for the UNIX/Linux environment

Creating script tools for geoprocessing tasks

Using geoprocessing tasks in Python scripts

Spatial reference considerations for geoprocessing services

Performance tips for geoprocessing services

Checklist for authoring and publishing geoprocessing services

Python scripts to zip and unzip data
Geoprocessing service examples
Keeping track of geoprocessing history

An overview of geoprocessing history

History log files

Geoprocessing history in metadata
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
3D Analyst toolbox
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

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

An overview of the Cartography toolbox

Cartography toolbox sample applications
Graphic Quality toolset
Masking toolset
Representation Management toolset
Symbolization Refinement toolset
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

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
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

An overview of the Multidimension toolbox
Tools
Network Analyst toolbox

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

An overview of the Server toolbox
Caching toolset
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
Tracking Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Tracking Analyst toolbox
Tools
Environment 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

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

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
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
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

Starting ArcCatalog

Browsing through the Catalog

What's in the Catalog

Repositioning the Catalog tree

Stopping 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

The Contents tab

Working in Details view

Changing the columns in Details view

Modifying the default settings for exploring contents

Exploring an item's properties

Organizing your data

Converting data to a different format
Exploring an item's geography
Searching for items
Working with metadata
Image and raster data management
Understanding raster data
Supported raster data
Properties of raster data

About raster dataset properties

Raster pyramids

Raster dataset statistics

Raster compression

About reduced resolution dataset files

About auxiliary files

About proxy files

Defining a raster's coordinate system

Raster dataset colormaps

Bit depth capacity for raster dataset cells

NoData in raster datasets

World files for raster datasets
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

How raster data is stored in a geodatabase

Exploring geodatabase raster catalogs

Creating raster datasets in a geodatabase

Creating raster catalogs in a geodatabase

Importing raster datasets

Exporting or converting raster datasets

Exporting raster catalogs

Mosaicking raster datasets

Persisting a transformation to a raster dataset without rectifying it

Migrating your 8.x raster catalog

Updating your geodatabase raster catalog footprints

Loading large raster datasets into ArcSDE

Transferring large raster datasets

Building large raster datasets-case studies

Raster data and disconnected editing
Raster display and visualization
Raster analysis and geoprocessing
Serving raster data
Serving raster data
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
An overview of netCDF data
Understanding netCDF data
Working with netCDF data in ArcGIS
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
ArcGIS Publisher
Getting started with Publisher
Creating data packages
Creating custom applications
ArcReader
ArcScan
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

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
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

An overview of geocoding

Definition of the address locator
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
Building an address locator

Defining the address locator components

Creating an address locator

Modifying an address locator's settings

Managing address locators in ArcMap

Managing address locators in ArcCatalog

Migrating address locators created with ArcGIS prior to version 9.2
Locating addresses
Additional geocoding techniques
Keeping an address locator current

Updating your reference data

Versioned data and the address locator

Rebuilding address locators
Distributing your address locator

Deciding to share an address locator

Collecting address locators

Making your address locator public

Accessing distributed address locators

Sharing pre-9.2 address locators
Adjusting your address locator file
About StreetMap data
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

An overview of WFS support in ArcGIS

Adding support for WFS in ArcGIS Desktop

How to work with WFS using ArcGIS Desktop
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