How Do I Add a Layer to ArcGIS?

To add a layer to ArcGIS, you'll primarily use ArcGIS Online's Map Viewer Classic or ArcGIS Pro, depending on your specific needs. Here's a breakdown of the process for each:

Adding Layers in ArcGIS Online (Map Viewer Classic)

1. Sign In: Begin by signing into your ArcGIS Online account.

2. Open Map Viewer Classic: From the ArcGIS Online home page, navigate to and open Map Viewer Classic. Note that while the new Map Viewer is now the default, many workflows still utilize Classic.

3. Click the "Add" Button: In Map Viewer Classic, locate and click the "Add" button in the Contents pane.

4. Choose Your Layer Source: A dropdown menu will appear, presenting various options for adding layers:

   • Search for Layers: Search for layers within ArcGIS Online, your organization, or ArcGIS Living Atlas.
   • Browse ArcGIS Living Atlas Layers: Explore pre-made thematic maps and data from Esri.
   • Add Layer from Web: Add layers using a URL (e.g., a WMS, WFS, or GeoJSON endpoint). You'll need the URL of the service.
   • Add Layer from File: Upload shapefiles, CSV files, GPX files, or other supported file types. Note that shapefiles need to be in a ZIP archive that includes at least the .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj files.
   • Add Map Notes: Create your own layers by adding features directly on the map.

5. Configure and Customize: Once the layer is added, you can configure its appearance, pop-ups, and other properties through the Contents pane.

Adding Layers in ArcGIS Pro

1. Open ArcGIS Pro and a Project: Start ArcGIS Pro and open an existing project or create a new one.

2. Click the "Add Data" Button: On the "Map" tab, in the "Layer" group, click the "Add Data" button. Alternatively, you can use the "Add Data" dropdown menu to select a specific data type (e.g., "Add Basemap", "Add Data From Path").

3. Browse to Your Data: Navigate to the location of your data and select the layer you want to add. Supported data types include:

   • Shapefiles (.shp): Vector data stored in Esri's shapefile format.
   • Geodatabase Feature Classes: Vector data stored in a geodatabase.
   • Raster Datasets: Gridded data, such as satellite imagery or elevation models.
   • Service Connections (ArcGIS Server, WMS, WFS): Connect to and use web services.
   • Databases: Connect to and use data from various databases.

4. Set the Coordinate System (if necessary): If the data doesn't have a defined coordinate system, you might need to specify one. ArcGIS Pro will often prompt you to do this.

5. Configure and Customize: Customize the layer's symbology, labeling, and other properties in the "Contents" pane and the "Symbology" pane.

In Summary: Adding layers to ArcGIS involves choosing the appropriate platform (ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Pro), selecting the data source, and then configuring the layer's properties to suit your needs.