Practical Exercise 1.

Introduction to ArcMap

Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystems

Analysis, and GIS Centre at Lund University, Sweden

Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

GISA01
 Introduction to ArcMap

1.3. Introduction to ArcMap

1.3.1. Purpose
The purpose of this exercise is to give you an introduction to ArcMap. Basic functions of
the program will be explored. We will also briefly describe the relationship between
geographic features and non-geographic attributes. More specifically, you will learn:
- What a shapefile and map document is.
- How to add and view data in ArcMap
- Which tools you can use to for instance move around and query map data in ArcMap.

1.3.2. Data
The data used for this exercises is the same as for the previous exercises 1.1 Windows
Explorer and 1.2 Introduction to ArcCatalog, downloadable from Moodle. The data
contains a number of shapefiles or geographical themes of Nicaragua.
If you have not yet downloaded the data for the previous exercises to your computer,
create a folder in your local working directory called 1_Intro_ArcGIS. Download the data
from Moodle and copy all the data files for this exercise to your newly created folder.

Note: Specific information on how to download and extract the data can be
found in section 1.1.2 Data in exercise 1.1 Introduction to Windows Explorer.

1.3.3. Background

1.3.3.1. ArcMap
As the name suggests, ArcMap is an application used for map-based operations. Data can
therefore be viewed and symbolized, analyzed, created and presented. Thus, ArcMap is
basically used for all mapping, editing tasks, as well as for map-based analysis.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

1.3.3.2. Shapefiles
Different geographic information systems usually store data in different ways using
different formats. Geographic data consists of geometrical data and attribute data and in a
GIS geometrical and attribute data must be linked together.
ArcGIS can handle several file formats. Some, you might be able to open and view
directly such as coverages or shapefiles, whereas others might have to be imported in
ArcGIS through using extensions which provide additional functionality.
ESRIs own file format for storing geographic data is called shapefile. The shapefile
format consists of at least three files (.shp, .shx and .dbf). This is important to remember
when you copy data from one hard drive to another or to other computers/servers. A layer
cannot be opened and viewed in ArcGIS if one of these files is missing.
- Open Windows Explore and navigate to the folder where the exercise data is
located.
Take a look at the files named water. Observe that all files have the same prefix but
different file extensions.
.shp The .shp file is the file that stores the geographic feature geometry
(in this case its water bodies).
.dbf The .dbf or dBase file stores the feature attribute information as a
table.
.shx The .shx file is the index file which links the geometry with
attributes.
So for instance, when you open an attribute table in ArcCatalog or ArcMap, it is the
contents of the .dbf file that is shown. Sometimes when performing certain operations
other files are created:
.sbn and .sbx These files store the spatial index of features. They are created
when one performs specific operations like layer on layer selection
or a spatial join.
.fbn and .fbx Same as for the .sbn and .sbx files but for shapefiles that are read-
only.
.ain and .aih These files store the attribute index of the active field in a table or
a layers attribute table. They are for instance created when you
link two tables together.
.avl This file stores legend information of a layer. Basically, how the
data is displayed, in what colours, which symbols etc.
.prj This file stores the coordinate system and projection information.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

1.3.3.3. Projects and map documents

Recent versions of ArcView (version 8.X. and upwards) use a slightly different
terminology than what was used back in the good old days (version 3.X. and before). In
these earlier versions of ArcView the concept of a project was fundamental. A project
was a workspace that could contain themes, views, tables, search results from queries,
calculations, layouts, scripts etc. If one for instance worked with a map that was intended
to be viewed again later, one saved it as a project file (.apr). In the project file, all the
information concerning the project itself was stored. For example, information about
which shapefiles that were part of the project and how they were to be displayed on the
map, not the actual data, only its looks and layout (what colours, symbols etc.). The
project file was basically only a binary file communicating to ArcView where the
geographical data was stored through detailing the location or path to each of the
shapefiles in the project. When a project was saved, the paths to all shapefiles used in the
project were also saved. Therefore, if files were ever moved from the original path or
deleted, ArcView was not able to display the files when one simply decided to open up
the project file again.
In the version of ArcView that you are currently using (version 8.X and upwards),
terminology is slightly different from before and a project file is now called a Map
Document and has the extension .mxd instead of .apr. The concept of a map document is
nevertheless still the same as with projects. The data displayed on a map is not saved with
it, only the path that specifies the location of the data and the appearance of the data.

1.3.4. Answers to be sent to teachers

All students have to send answers for questions 1.3.1 1.3.4 by email to the teachers as
indicated in the document Sending Answers to Teachers available in the section Course
Information on the course homepage.

1.3.5. ArcMap

1.3.5.1. Starting ArcMap

- To start ArcMap, click on the Start button in your Windows taskbar and then
navigate to the ArcMap shortcut .
Every time you start ArcMap, a start up dialog box will appear. You can open A new
empty map, A template or An existing map. An existing map is a saved map document
(.mxd file).

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 Introduction to ArcMap

- Choose to open A new empty map.

Note: If the start up dialog box does not show when you start ArcMap, click
Tools > Options in the main menu. In the General tab check Show start up
dialog. The next time you start ArcMap the start up dialog box will appear.

1.3.5.2. Adding data to ArcMap

We will now add and display data in ArcMap.
- To add data, click either File > Add Data or click in the Standard toolbar.
The Add Data dialog window will appear.
- Navigate to the folder where the exercise data is located (e.g.
C:\LUMA_GIS\GISA01\Practical\1_Intro_ArcGIS_Working \)

Note: If you are not able to locate the data, you most probably do not have a
folder connection to it. You can create one by clicking the Connect To Folder
button .

Just like in Windows Explorer and ArcCatalog, you can select and open several files at
once by pressing SHIFT or CTRL on your keyboard while left clicking.
- Add all shapefiles to your map by selecting all of them and then clicking Add.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

You should now be able to see the map data. You might however think that the colours
are not very nice or adequate for what they represent. This is because ArcMap randomly
chooses colours when data is added. Later on in this exercise, you will change the
appearance of features and save your changes as a map project.
ArcMap is divided in two main sections, the Table of Contents (TOC) to the left and the
Map Display Window to the right.

Table of Map display area

Contents (TOC)

The TOC shows you the names of all layers displayed in the map display window. The
map you are currently looking at contains eight data layers in Nicaragua which describe:
Layer name Description

Airports Airport locations

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 Introduction to ArcMap

Reef Coastal reefs

Nicaragua line The border of the country as lines

Grid A grid system in degrees (latitude/longitude)

World Wilderness areas Protected areas

Water Lakes and rivers

Nicaragua The border of the country as polygons

Cities City locations

1.3.5.3. Getting Help

The best way to learn more about an operation in ArcMap is to use ArcGIS Desktop Help
under Help in the main menu. More help is available in ArcMap in different ways. If you
hover the cursor over a button or tool without clicking, a tool tip will appear containing a
brief explanation of the specific tool. The tool tip also appears in the lower left corner of
the program window.
- Familiarize yourself with the tools in the Standard toolbar by hovering the
cursor over the icons.

- Find out more about the Pan tool, what its icon looks like and what it does
through using ArcGIS Desktop Help.

Tip: ArcGIS Desktop Help can also be opened by pressing the key F1 on the
keyboard.

1.3.5.4. Moving around the map

In the Tools toolbar there are a fair number of tools that for instance lets you navigate
around the map and query displayed features.
- Familiarize yourself with the tools in the Tools toolbar by hovering the cursor
over the icons.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

Note: If you are not able to see the Tools toolbar click View > Toolbars in the
main menu and check the option Tools.

Zoom in around the lake named Lago de Managua.

- Click Zoom In in the Tools toolbar.
- Place the cursor, which should take on the form of a magnifying glass , on
the upper left part of the lake.
- Left click, hold and drag your cursor to the lower right of the lake. When you
release the left mouse button ArcMap zooms in on the boxed area.

Lago de
Managua

- If necessary, use Pan in the Tools toolbar to reposition the map so that Lago
de Managua is centred in the map display window.

1.3.5.5. Changing the drawing order of layers

In the TOC, you can set the drawing order of the different layers. The layer listed at the
top of the TOC is drawn over the layers listed below them. Some features might therefore
not be visible in the map display window depending on the drawing order in the TOC.
Changing the drawing order of layers is easy.
- Activate or select the layer Airports by left clicking its name. When selected,
the color of the layer will turn light blue
- Left click, hold and drag Airports to the bottom of the TOC.
The points in the display window representing the positions of the Airports around Lago
de Managua should now have disappeared as they are now hidden under the polygon
layer Nicaragua.
- Now turn off, or check off, the layer Nicaragua by un-checking the small box
to the left of its name in the TOC. Notice that the points with airports reappear.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

Through changing the drawing order of layers in the TOC a user can determine how
layers are to be drawn in the map display window. Generally, it is best to have polygon
layers at the bottom followed by lines and with point layers at the top. In this order no, or
very few features, will be hidden in the map display window.
- Change the order of the layers in the TOC so that Airports and Cities around
Lago de Managua are visible.

1.3.5.6. Changing the appearance of layers

ArcMap lets you change the color and symbol of displayed features. You will now
change the symbols for the layer Airports from simple dots or points to a standard airport
symbol.
- Left click the dot or point symbol below the layer Airports. The Symbol
Selector dialog window will appear.
- In the left box of the Symbol Selector scroll down until you find the symbol
named Airport. Select it and then click OK to apply. The airports should now be
displayed with an airport symbol.

- Using the same procedure as above, assign appropriate colours to the layers
Nicaragua, Cities and Water.

Note: You can also open the Symbol Selector dialog window by right clicking
the layer name and choosing Properties from the menu that appears. Then, in
the Layer Properties window, click the Symbology tab and click the symbol.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

1.3.5.7. Saving a map document

You have now made a couple of changes to how the data is displayed in the map display
window (youve zoomed in, changed the drawing order, symbols and colours of layers).
You will now save your map document.
- In the main menu click File > Save As.
- Navigate to the folder where your exercise data is located and give your map
document the name Nicaragua_map. Click Save.

- Open Windows Explorer and check so that your recently saved map document
is saved in the correct location on your computer.
It is rather common that users save files without really knowing where they save them.
Always remember to try to keep a tidy file structure on your computer.

- Now return to ArcMap window and close the program.

- Start ArcMap again, but this time, in the start up dialog window choose to open
An existing map. Select and open your newly created Nicaragua_map.mxd.
Notice that everything looks just as it did before you saved your map document (drawing
order, zooming, symbols and colours).

1.3.5.8. Identifying features

As you might have noticed, there are three airports around Lago de Managua. One can
find the names and other information about features by using the tool Identify in the Tools
toolbar. The Identify tool is en easy way to find out something about a feature or location

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 Introduction to ArcMap

in the display window as it allows you to see a features specific attributes from the
attribute table.
- Click the Identify in the Tools toolbar.
- Click wherever in the map display window. The Identify results window will
appear.
When first using the Identify tool, it displays the info of a feature in the top most layer as
indicated in the drop down menu Layers in the Identify results window. To acquire
information regarding an object in a specific layer, that is if its not on top, the layer
name must be selected in Layers.
- In the drop down menu Layers select Airports and then click on one of the
airports in the map display window.
- The data available in the attribute table becomes visible in the right-hand side of
the Identify results window.

Question 1.3.1: What are the names of the three airports located around the lake
Lago de Managua?

Question 1.3.2: What is the name of the southernmost city around the lake?

- Close the Identify results window.

1.3.5.9. Magnifier, Viewer and Overview windows

A couple of useful operations or window view options are available in ArcMap. Some of
these might come in handy if you for instance would like to zoom in over another area in
the map without changing the view in your map display.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

The Magnifier window works just like a magnifying glass. As you pass the window over
the data, you see a magnified view of the location under the window. Moving the window
around does not affect the current map display.
- In the main menu, click Window > Magnifier.
- To move the window, click the title bar of the window and drag it around the
display window.
- To change the magnification assign a percentage value in the Magnifier drop
down menu or right click the title bar and select Properties and assign a value
in the drop down menu Magnify by.
- Close the Magnifier window
The Viewer window, also available in the main menu under Window, behaves like
duplicate map display window. Right clicking inside this window brings up a menu with
useful tools that you can use to pan or zoom to view a different part of the map than
displayed in the map window.
The other option, Overview, simply gives you an overview of the data. A box in the
Overview window represents the current area displayed in the map display window. You
can use this box to pan around the map. You can also shrink or enlarge the box to zoom
in or zoom out.
- Explore the other window view options Viewer and Overview located in the
main menu under Window.

1.3.5.10. Measuring distances

By using the tool Measure in the Tools toolbar, you can measure distances in the map
display window. For example, it allows you to draw a line to measure distances or to
draw a polygon to measure areas. Lets find out which of the airports that is nearest to the
city Managua.
- Click the tool Measure in the Tools toolbar menu. The Measure window will
appear and the mouse cursors appearance will change to .
- Left click on one of the airports around the lake Lago de Managua.
- Double left click in the centre of the city Managua to end measuring. The length
is visible in the Measure window.
In the Measure window, Segment length represents the length of the last line segment and
Total is the total length of all segments. If your line only contains one segment, the values
for Segment and Total will obviously be the same.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

- Repeat the measuring procedure for the two other airports.

Question 1.3.3: Which of the three airports around Lago de Managua is the closest
to the city of Managua (give the name of the closest airport) and what is the
approximate distance of the closest airport in meters?

- Click Full Extent on the Tools toolbar menu.

When clicking Full Extent, the map display window zooms out to the original extent.
Also, browsing through extents might come in handy. For instance, to go back to the
previous extent click in the Tools toolbar. To go to the next extent simply click .

1.3.5.11. Removing layers from ArcMap

Removing a layer in ArcMap is easy. If you want to remove a layer you simply just right
click the name of the layer in the TOC and select Remove.
- Remove the layer named Grid.
Though you might not want to do it at this point, its also possible to remove several
layers at the same time. To do this one simply just selects several layers while pressing
CTRL on the keyboard followed by a right click on one of the selected items and a click
on Remove. Selecting several layers at the same time by pressing SHIFT also works.

Tip: If you regret removing layers its possible to negate the removal by
clicking Edit > Undo remove.

1.3.5.12. The attribute table

An attribute table is divided into records (rows) and fields (columns). Individual elements
within a table are called cells. Every single geographic object has its own record. You
will now get accustomed with some of the basic principals regarding attribute tables in
ArcMap. More intricate details surrounding attribute tables will be presented in future
exercises.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

Field

Record
Cell

To open an attributes table of a specific layer you simply just right click the layer name in
the TOC and choose Open Attribute Table. The attribute table of the layer will then open
in a new window. As previously mentioned, the tabular data or attribute data is located in
the file with the .dbf extension.
- Open the attribute table of the layer Water.
Just like in ArcCatalog, you see at the bottom of the table that it contains a total of 26
records. This means that there are 26 features displayable in the map for the layer Water.

- Click the small box furthest to the left of the first record. The record turns blue.
This indicates that it is selected.
- Now look in the map display window to find the selected feature. The borders
of the feature should appear as blue on the map indicating that it is selected.
- Click Options in Attributes of water, at bottom right of the table window.
Choose Select All. What happens?
- Click Options again but this time choose Clear Selection. What happens?
Also here you can use CTRL and SHIFT on your keyboard to select several records at the
same time.
- Now, click Options once more and choose Select by Attributes. The Select by
Attributes dialog window appears.
The Select by Attributes dialog window allows you to select features in a layer through
expressions or queries. If you take a closer look at the records in the attribute table for the
layer Water, you see that there are three classes in the field FIRST_SORT. These are Bay,
River and Lake. Using Select by Attributes you can for instance select features that are

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 Introduction to ArcMap

classified as rivers or you could select features that are classified as lakes. Lets select all
the rivers.
- In the Select by Attributes dialog window, double click on FIRST_SORT in
Fields and then click the equals button =. Click the button Get Unique Values
and then double click on River in the Unique Values box. Finally, click Apply.

Question 1.3.4: How many records in the table Water are classified as rivers?

- Now click Options again and choose Switch Selection. Notice what happens.
- Repeat the Select by Attribute procedure as outlined above, but this time, build
an expression that only selects lakes.
Now that you hopefully managed to select all the lakes in the layer Water, you will create
a new layer called Lakes, which only contains features that are lakes.
- Right click on Water in the TOC and choose Data > Export Data.
- In the Export Data dialog window choose to Export Selected Features and to
use the same coordinate system as the layers source data. Give the new layer the
name Lakes and save it in your working directory.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

- Click Yes when asked if you want to add the exported data to the map as a
layer.
- You can never save too often so click on File > Save. This will save your map
document Nicaragua_map.
- Close ArcMap.
- Open Windows Explorer, and navigate to the folder where the exercise data is
located. Check so that all the files making up your new shapefile Lakes are
there.

Now you could re-open the map document again in ArcMap. However, in order to
demonstrate what happens when files are moved, you will move all the files called Lakes
from their current location.
- In Windows Explorer, select all files with the prefix Lakes.
- From the Windows Explorer main menu choose Edit > Cut.
- Go up one level in the directory tree and choose to paste your cut files by
clicking File > Paste in the main menu.

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 Introduction to ArcMap

- Start ArcMap again and choose to open An Existing map. Select and open
Nicaragua_map.mxd.
Notice that all layers were successfully opened or loaded except for the layer Lakes. This
is highlighted with a red exclamation point to the left of the layer name. The reason for
this is, of course, that we moved the files and they are no longer at the location specified
in the map document when you last saved it.

If you want fix the problem you can close ArcMap without saving your map document
and move all the Lake files back to their previous location or you can:
- Click the check box twice beside the red exclamation mark and specify the new
location of the files in the Set Data Source dialog window that appears.
- Close ArcMap.

End of Practical Exercise 1.3

Send your answers to the teacher as instructed

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