Data

Are you trying to map a dataset that isn't formatted the way you need it to be? Your map's design should be determined by your map's goals, rather than limitations like file types and field types. Learning how to convert what you have into what you need is an essential skill for making better maps.

In this module, you will learn how to do the following:

  • Turn tables or lists of addresses into spatial data.
  • Join data from multiple sources.
  • Use Arcade expressions to query and reformat data.
  • Configure and manipulate spatial data.

  
PLANNING
SYMBOLS
PROJECTIONS
DATA
POP-UPS & LABELS
LAYOUT
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
ARCGIS ONLINE
Learn techniques for working with web layers, including those that you don't own.

Create a layer and add features

Create an empty feature layer, define fields, and use the Map Viewer editing tools to add features.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Create a feature layer. Add fields and features. Review the new data.
Join a table to a feature layer

Display the data from a .csv file on a map.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 15 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Add a .csv file to a web map. Join a table to a feature layer. Edit a table. Style a map.
Convert text to numbers with ArcGIS Arcade

Write an expression for a map layer to convert numbers stored as text to numeric values.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Build an Arcade expression with the Number function. Remove a character. Use the expression to symbolize the data.
Convert a list of historic places into a map

Use geocoding to map some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Africa.

  • Type: Tutorial
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Prepare a table, add it to ArcGIS Online. Review matched and unmatched locations. Style a map. Edit data.
Make a layer editable

Publish a hosted feature layer and create a layer view. Configure sharing and editing settings.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Publish a hosted feature layer. Enable editing. Create a hosted feature layer view.
Save a copy of a layer

Manage layer properties for a feature layer in ArcGIS Online.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Filter a layer. Save a copy of a layer. Configure layer properties. Use the layer in a map.
ARCGIS ONLINE - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ARCGIS PRO
Learn common skills for handling spatial data. Often, these skills must be combined to prepare data for a map.

Select and extract a subset of features

Export features selected by attribute and by location.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Select by attributes. Select by location. Add metadata.
Join tabular data to a spatial layer

Join a .csv file with country names to a feature layer of country boundaries in ArcGIS Pro.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 15 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Find matching fields. Join a stand-alone table to a feature layer. Remove a join. Edit a table.
Convert a list of historic places into a map

Use geocoding to map some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Africa.

  • Type: Tutorial
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Prepare a table, add it to ArcGIS Online. Review matched and unmatched locations. Style a map. Edit data.
Clip features to a region

Extract data within a study area's boundaries.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Find a clipping layer. Use the Clip tool. Add metadata.
Merge multiple layers into one

Use the Merge tool to combine layers and configure a field map to resolve mismatched fields.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Configure the Merge tool. Configure the field map. Fix errors.
Convert text data to numeric data

Calculate numeric fields in ArcGIS Pro.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 15 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Calculate a new numeric field. Calculate a new field with an Arcade expression. Calculate geometry.
Summarize data inside of polygons

Summarize the count, area, and attributes of dams by district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 15 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Summarize points within polygons. Summarize polygon areas within polygons. Symbolize the results.
Borrow attributes with a spatial join

Join the attributes from one layer to another based on common locations rather than common fields.

  • Type: Tutorial and video
  • Level: Beginner
  • Duration: 15 minutes
  • High-Level Tasks: Add a spatial join. Review the join results. Edit the layer.
ARCGIS PRO - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CHECKLIST

Ask the following questions of your data to confirm that its format and organization supports your map's objective:

  • Can you make a local copy of this data?
  • Do you need all of this data or only a subset? Can you edit the data? Should you make a backup copy first?
  • Can you use Arcade to derive new values?
  • If someone else needs to use this data, will they understand what the field names mean?
  • Will they know what units of measurement are used by the numeric fields? Will they know how to credit the original data source?
  • Are there terms of use associated with your data? Are you allowed to use it in your map?
CHALLENGE ACTIVITY

Convert and clean your own dataset until you can display it on a map using the attributes that you want to show.

  1. Were there any features or records that had to be discarded? Why?
  2. What operations (calculating fields, filters, joins, and so on) did you use to adapt the data to your needs?
  3. If you need to use this data again in five years, how will you know where to find its original source?

If you don’t have your own data, use one of the suggestions below. You may choose to map the entire dataset or only a subset or smaller area.