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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/create-a-new-layer-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/join-a-table-to-a-feature-layer-in-ArcGIS-Online-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/convert-text-to-numbers-with-arcgis-arcade-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/geocoding-agol-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/make-a-layer-editable-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/save-a-copy-of-a-layer-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/export-and-publish-a-feature-layer-card.png)
TUTORIAL
Export and publish a feature layer
Export a copy of a feature layer owned by someone else to your account. Publish the copied data as a hosted feature layer owned by you.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/explore-arcade-expressions-in-a-web-map-card2.png)
TUTORIAL
Explore Arcade expressions in a web map
Learn how Arcade can be used to design labels, symbols, and pop-ups through a map of global piracy.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/Map_Chart_gallery_image.png)
TUTORIAL
Map and chart data
Visualize and explore intimate partner violence data in Canada by symbolizing and charting data to share in a web app.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/select-and-extract-a-subset-of-features-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/join-tabular-data-to-a-spatial-layer-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/geocoding-pro-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/1-clip-features-to-a-region-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/merge-multiple-layers-into-one-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/convert-text-data-to-numeric-data-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/summarize-data-inside-of-polygons-card.png)
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.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/borrow-attributes-with-a-spatial-join-card.png)
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.
VIDEO
Draw Detailed Polygons in ArcGIS Pro
Watch the first 6 minutes of this video to learn how to use common editing tools and create your own data.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/create-points-from-table.png)
TUTORIAL
Create points from a table
Learn how to create point features from a spreadsheet in ArcGIS Pro.
![](https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DE_card_826x465_v3.png)
ARTICLE AND VIDEOS
How to explore fields with data engineering
Explore fields using symbology, charts, and the attribute table with data engineering.
![](https://doc.arcgis.com/cdn/card-catalog/uploads/cards/cardHK2.png)
ARTICLE
Using common GIS data types
Learn how and when to use shapefiles, geodatabases, rasters, and web layers.
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?
Convert and clean your own dataset until you can display it on a map using the attributes that you want to show.
- Were there any features or records that had to be discarded? Why?
- What operations (calculating fields, filters, joins, and so on) did you use to adapt the data to your needs?
- 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.