- ArcGIS Desktop
- ArcGIS Workstation
- ArcView 3.x
- ArcGIS Customization
- Helpful Scripts
- General / Miscellaneous Help
- Install & Use of the ArcCatalog Metadata Contact Database
These instructions are for an ESRI Sample Script. The sample provides an Access database that can be used to record contact information and a metadata importer that can be used to add that contact information from that database to the existing metadata.
- ArcMap - Burning an MXD project and its data to CD or DVD
These instructions are for preparing your data and ArcMap project(s) to write to a CD or DVD. These same steps can be adapted to share data and projects via FTP or when “ZIPping” a project to share.
- Setting Transparency for all datasets in a Raster Catalog within ArcMap
Instructions on how to make image catalogs in ArcGIS 8.x have whatever colors you want become transparent for a certain project.
- Using Calculation files (.cal) in ArcMap
These instructions describe how to use .cal files to calculate field values in a dataset's attribute table. The .cal files are calculation expressions stored separately. The calculation expressions usually hold VBA code. [Sample .cal files]
- Geodatabase Precision
Geodatabase precision has a very different meaning than coordinate precision for coverages. Geodatabase precision is the "conversion factor" between your floating-point map units and your integer storage units.
- ArcMap: Creating New Shapefiles from MS Excel Spreadsheets
These instructions address how to convert a tabular list of point coordinates into a new ESRI shapefile. The users can also use them to save data to a geodatabase feature class.
- Editing Polygons in ArcMap
Editing polygons and polygon boundaries can be tricky and often lead to unwanted duplication or error. These instructions can help guide the user in choosing the correct tool for the job.
- ArcGIS: Creating New Shapefiles (the on-screen digitizing way)
These instructions address making a new shapefile dataset and populating it by on-screen digitizing features. Both ArcCatalog and ArcMap are utilized. The instructions can be adapted to apply to a geodatabase feature class.
- Problem Converting a Shapefile (Polygons Containing Islands) to a Coverage in ArcGIS 8.3
When converting a shapefile of polygon features containing island polygons, e.g., lakes containing islands, to a coverage the island polygons themselves convert, but the polygons containing islands do not.
- ArcGIS ver. 8.x: Projecting Shapefiles
These instructions describe how to change a shapefile’s projection using ArcGIS ver 8.x.
- How to convert a Hillshade (grid) to an image file and retain the color contrast and shading that demonstrates topography.
These instructions help users create a more dramatic looking image file out of an ESRI generated hillshade grid. It allows users to determine which cell values are most abundant in the grid file and only export those to an output image format.
- Shapefile Error: “number of shapes does not match number of table records”
These instructions describe a work-around when you receive an error in ArcView or ArcTools that says “number of shapes does not match number of table records”.
- Reprojecting Shapefiles in ArcView 3.3
Step-by-Step instructions for reprojecting shapefiles using ArcView 3.3.
- Various Technical Tips for ArcView 3.x
Various tips and troubleshooting ideas from the Pacific West Region GIS shop.
- Create a Module from *.bas or *.txt VBA Code in ArcGIS
These instructions describe how to utilize VBA code in ArcGIS software to create modules and access them as a button in the application’s GUI. VBA code (or script) can be downloaded as *.bas or *.txt files. Also, users can copy/paste code directly from another source.
- ArcMap VBA Customizing: Add a New Button to the User Interface (and call up a form)
These instructions describe how to add a button to the ArcMap interface and open a userform with VBA.
Downloadable scripts written by NPS staff. See ArcGIS Customization for instructions on using these files.
ArcMap
- List MXD Sources
- Copy and Paste Features Tool (ArcGIS 9)
- Make Selected Data Frame Active
- Toggle Visibility of Selected Layers
ArcCatalog - Projections
ArcCatalog - Metadata
Importing PDF content into PowerPoint:
To obtain the most up-to-date information on how to import PDF content into a PowerPoint presentation, review the PowerTools for PowerPoint PowerUsers - Import PDF content into PowerPoint instructions located on The PowerPoint FAQ Web site.
