ArcView GIS Data Management and Mapping Techniques

This document provides practical instructions and solutions for common tasks and challenges encountered when working with ArcView GIS, covering topics from database integration and map creation to geocoding and spatial analysis.

Core ArcView GIS Operations

Joining External Data in ArcView GIS

To join an external database with attributes of the current theme:

• Open the properties of the item table (theme).
• Open the external table to be joined.
• Identify the common field in both tables.
• Select the common field in the external table.
• Select the corresponding common field in the item table's properties.
• Click the Join icon.

Adding and Arranging Themes in ArcView

To add a new theme to a view and display it in the background:

• Add the theme using the Add Theme icon or by navigating to View > Add Theme.
• In the Table of Contents (legend area), drag the newly added theme to the bottom of the list to display it in the background.

Key Elements of an ArcView View

The primary elements of an ArcView view include:

• Shapefiles (.shp)
• Database Files (.dbf)
• The View's Table of Contents (TOC)

Purpose of ArcView's File Extensions

The File > Extensions command allows users to enable or disable extensions (add-on routines) that enhance and extend the functionality of ArcView applications.

Transporting ArcView Project Files (.APR)

To ensure an ArcView project (.APR) opens without issues when transported to another computer:

You must maintain the original directory structure of all data files and resources linked within the project.

Common ArcView GIS Challenges

Generating a Regional Population Map

To generate a map of total population by region in ArcView from an Excel spreadsheet and a shapefile of administrative regions, follow these steps:

• Export the Excel spreadsheet containing population data to DBF format.
• Open the DBF file in ArcView.
• Verify that the database has a field identifying the region each community belongs to. If not, create one.
• Summarize the population information by region using the common field.
• Verify that the regional map's attribute table has corresponding region codes.
• Perform a table join between the summarized population data and the regional map's attribute table.
• Create a thematic map based on the joined population data.

Troubleshooting Partial Joins in ArcView

If a join operation in ArcView only binds a few entries, leaving the rest unjoined:

The error likely occurred because only a subset of records were selected in one of the tables prior to performing the join operation. For a complete join, ensure no records are selected, or all relevant records are selected, so that the join applies to the entire dataset.

Preparing a Map for Address Geocoding

To prepare a map of main roads for address geocoding in ArcView:

• Define the address structure that will be used for geocoding (e.g., street name, house number range, prefix/suffix).
• Access the geocoding properties via Theme > Properties > Geocoding.

Extracting Features within Administrative Units

To generate a new feature class containing only linear elements (e.g., roads, rivers, pipelines) that exist within specific administrative units (polygons):

• Ensure the linear features layer is active.
• Use the Geoprocessing extension (found under File > Extensions).
• Apply the Geoprocessing Wizard, specifically the Intersect operation, between the linear features layer and the administrative divisions layer. This will create a new layer with only the intersecting portions.