Geospatial Technology

Adding Data in ArcMap

There are several different ways in which data can be inserted into Esri ArcMap and numerous different types of data for ArcMap other software packages will have their own unique methods and may or may not be similiar to ArcMap.

 

Data types include: Shapefiles, Raster Images, Basemaps and Geospatial Services as well as spreadsheets and csv files.  Data can be loaded in a variety of different ways and some of the two most common ways will be discussed.  You can bring data into your mapping application by using the add data button in ArcMap, the ArcCatalog program opened within or outside of ArcMap or Windows File Explorer.  Use of the Windows File Explorer is not recommended and thus will not be discussed.  

 

The assumption is that you have opened ArcMap, locate the add data button which is a yellow diamond with a plus sign and click to open.  You can add most of the data types mentioned above from this button, you will need to map to your data store location, much as you would map a network drive, you also need to have a good understanding of windows file structure.  To map you folders use the folder with the plus.  For example if you want to load a shapefile (it must have already been extracted), locate the folder which contains the shapefile, the folder contains numerous files but only a single file is displayed for each shapefile.  You can simple double click to add the shapefile.  The same operation could be done in ArcCatalog which will look similiar except you drag the file onto your map.

 

If you are loading a geodatabase you will open an item that looks like a cylinder and not a folder (you may need to open folders to locate the geodatabase).  The database may contain multiple layers.  The process is the same in ArcMap you double click and ArcCatalog you drag and drop.  If you have a relational database the process is different than that for the personnel geodatabase.  For the relational database you will need to have appropriate permission and must connect to the database by using the add database connection.  Once the connection has been established the process is similiar as already described.

 

If you are loading other file such as a raster or a table the process is the same.  Note that raster may not appear on your map if it has not been georeferrenced and the table will not appear on the map until it has been joined to a shapefile.

 

To connect to an ArcGIS Server you will first need to create a connection to the server and you must follow an exact naming convention to make the connection, normally the address path is provided by the owner.  Once the connection the to the server has been established you will not need to repeat this process the next time using the server data files.  You should make your connection at the user level, since higher levels require usernames and passwords.  Higher levels will be required if editing will be done on the server information, but this requires appropriate permissions from the owner.  After the connection has been established to the server you can then access the data on the server, this information can provide data for display on a map, such as it might provide the boundaries of a community or roads, the user will not be able to change the color, width, etc.  There are also basemaps accessible that Esri has made available which can be accessed by the pull down arrow next to the add data button.  With an appropriate account there is also information avaialble on the Esri ArcGIS Online site.