ArcGIS Explorer - Query Layers

Ask Questions with Query Layers

Query Layers in ArcGIS Explorer allow you to filter the data in a map layer based upon criteria you specify. By creating queries and choosing appropriate criteria you can ensure only the data you are interested in are displayed on the map. For example, you might add a Geodatabase layer containing cities around the world but only want the map to show cities with a population over 1 million. To achieve this, the Query Builder helps you create the query which results in a new Query Layer. No changes are made to the underlying data source, rather you are controlling the amount and type of information drawn on the map. Query Layers can easily be removed or moved and grouped within the Contents window until you achieve the desired effect for your data. You can also use Query Layers as inputs to Analysis Tools in ArcGIS Explorer, or alternatively create Query Layers based on the results of Analysis Tools.

Opening the Query Builder

To open the Query Builder select the layer you are interested in within the Contents window then pick the Tools tab on the ribbon and click the Query button. The layer you select should either be a point layer ( ), a line layer ( ), an area layer ( ) map service layer (), or ArcGIS layer (indicated by the symbol).

If the map service or ArcGIS layer has child nodes, you will need to click on the specific layer that you want to query to enable the query button.
The query button will not be availble for map services if the author of the service turned off the ability to query. It is also not possible to query a service that has it's geometry field hidden. This is a choice that the map service author makes by setting field visibility properties in ArcMap. If an ArcMap author does not want to show the geometry field in the popup window, but they do want to be able to query the service, they should define HTML popup properties in ArcMap to hide the geometry field, instead of using field visibility.

Creating a Query Layer

Query Layers in ArcGIS Explorer follow a standard Structured Query Language (SQL) pattern. The query will show all the features from the layer you selected which meet the criteria you build in the Query Builder. The first part of the query (select all the features from, or SELECT * FROM) is supplied for you by ArcGIS Explorer. By selecting the layer, in this example Mountains, you were choosing the layer upon which this query would operate and allowing ArcGIS Explorer to now say "SELECT * FROM Mountains WHERE...". It is the criteria which follow this command, also known as the WHERE clause, that you will build in the Query Builder.

Step 1: Choose a field

When the Query Builder opens you will notice that it has already examined the contents of your layer and listed the attribute fields on the left hand side. To begin creating your query you should select one of the attribute field names, such as the field "Type" in the example below. As you do so, you will notice that the field name you selected appears in the query preview box in the lower half of the dialog. The rest of your query will gradually appear here as you choose further options. You can also edit the query directly in the preview box if required, for example to delete or copy and paste parts of the query.
Attribute fields of the selected layer

Step 2: Pick the operator

Next use the buttons in the centre of the dialog to insert the appropriate query operator, for example click the = button for equals, or the > button for greater than. In the query preview box your query might now resemble "Type" =.
Query operators

Step 3: Provide a value

In order to help you choose an appropriate value to complete your query, ArcGIS Explorer can search the field you selected for unique values. Click the Get unique values button to start this search. Once the search for unique values is finished, each unique value will be displayed in the list above. To add a value to the query you should select the value in the list. Alternatively if you know the value you would like to add you your query you can type it into the text box above the list of sample values and click Use to add it to the query preview below. Your query might now look something like "Type" = 'Corbett'.
Get unique values

Get unique value is not enabled for map services. If you are not familiar with the attributes in the service, click on a map service feature to view attributes in a popup window.

Step 4: Test your query

Once your query is complete you should click Test to confirm that the query is valid. It is possible that your query might return many results, in which case, the dialog will display a message that it has found at least 100 matching features indicating that you might need to consider modifying the criteria in your query.
Test the query

Step 5: Apply your query

Finally, click OK to apply your query to the selected layer and update the map. Your query will appear as a new layer in the map and at the top of the Contents window, sharing the same name as the layer you selected and with the query string appended in brackets for example, Cities ("Population" >= 1000000). This makes it easy to identify the results of your query.
A new query layer

Note: After being created, query layers can be treated like other layers in the map; they can be renamed, moved to a folder, or dragged to a different position in the Contents window or simply removed from the map, using the tools on the Ribbon, or by right-clicking the layer in the Contents window and using the context menu.

Query Syntax

Here are some guidelines you should follow when building your query:

When searching string values...

Strings must always be enclosed within single quotes.
For example: "Name" = 'Ben Nevis' will return just the Mountain whose name is Ben Nevis.
You can use the LIKE operator (instead of the = operator) to build a partial string search.
For example: "Name" LIKE 'Ben%' will return only the 46 Scottish mountains whose names begin with Ben.

Note: If you use a wildcard character in a string with the = operator, the character is treated as part of the string, not as a wildcard.
You can use greater than (>), less than (<), greater than or equal (>=), and less than or equal (<=) operators to select string values based on alphabetical sorting order.
For example: "Name" > 'T' will return the 20 Scottish mountains whose names begin with T or greater (with Z being the greatest)

When searching numeric values...

You can query numbers using the equal (=), not equal (<>), greater than (>), less than (<), greater than or equal (>=), less than or equal (<=), and BETWEEN operators.
For example: "POPULATION" >= 1000000 will return all the cities with a population greater than or equal to 1 million.

Note: Numeric values are always listed using the point as the decimal delimiter regardless of your regional settings. The comma cannot be used as a decimal or thousands delimiter in an expression.

Creating more advanced queries

Although the most common operators are conveniently provided for you in the Query Builder, you can write your own SQL statements directly into the query preview box. In this way you can use additional SQL operators, control the order in which different portions of the query string are applied (called operator precedence) or even perform calculations between numeric fields and/or numbers with the arithmetic operators (+, -, *, and /).

You can build more advanced queries by combining individual parts to create compound queries. For example from, you might want to display all the mountains that are Munros and all the mountains that are Corbetts. To do this, you could first create a Query Layer based upon the value 'Munro' then select that new layer and create a second Query Layer with the value 'Corbett'. Alternatively, a faster way to create this query would be to build the first part, "Type" = 'Munro', and then add one of the connectors, in this case the OR connector, and finally add the second part of your query "Type" = 'Corbett' so that your whole query resembles "Type" = 'Munro' OR "Type" = 'Corbett'.