Online GIS Tutorials for MapInfo and ArcView

This video takes some time to explore the ArcMap interface in version 10.0. The Table of Contents and Catalog are the focus here.

This video shows you how to add data to ArcMap version 10.0. It explains how, when first using the software, you need to click on the Connect to Folder button to set up access to the folders containing your GIS data.

This video examines the new Table of Contents in ArcMap version 10. It explains the different features and display modes, also how to make it re-appear if you accidentaly remove it.

This video explains the basics of ArcCatalog and why you need to use it to manage, preview and organise your GIS data.

This video demonstrates how to connect to folders in ArcCatalog and also how this relates to what you see when you try to add data in ArcMap. The same technique can be used via the Catalog window in ArcMap.

This video shows you how to create thumbnail views of your GIS data layers in ArcCatalog. This makes data management much easier.

This video explains how you can permanently set the projection for an unprojected shapefile or geodatabase feature class in ArcCatalog.

This video introduces new users to the basic features of the ArcMap 10 interface. Here we look at things like the Table of Contents, different view options and some menus and toolbars.

This video demonstrates how to manage your toolbars in ArcMap. You can turn toolbars on and off very easily and customize which ones appear and which do not. You can also 'dock' toolbars rather than have them 'floating' on the screen.

This video demonstrates some of the more basic features from the Tools toolbar in ArcMap, including zoom and pan functions.

This video demonstrates some of the less basic features from the Tools toolbar in ArcMap, including selection, identify and find functions.

This video shows you the basics of how to change Data Frame Properties in ArcMap, including changing the background colour and removing the border.

This video explains how to change the colours of individual layers in ArcMap via the Layer Properties. You can improve the appearance of your maps in this way.

In this video, the basics of labelling in ArcMap are shown. You can label your layers using any column in your Attribute Table.

This videos shows you how to apply a filter in ArcMap to control which records within a dataset you want to be displayed on a layer. You can use a Definition Query based on any number of criteria.

This video explains how to solve the issue of missing layers in ArcMap (signified by the red exclamation mark), which often occurs when your GIS data is on a USB device, such as a memory stick or external hard drive, or when you receive a Map (.MXD) or a Layer (.LYR) that was created on another computer.

This video demonstrates how to use Bookmarks in ArcMap. Bookmarks are a tool which you can use to save particular data views in ArcMap so that you can return to them later.

This video explains the difference between the Data View and the Layout View in ArcMap. You'll work mainly in the Data View and prepare maps for printing and exporting in the Layout View.

This video demonstrates how you can create a PDF from your map in ArcMap. There are also many other file format options when exporting maps from ArcMap.

This is a short introduction to ArcToolbox. ArcToolbox comprises a powerful collection of GIS tools for performing a variety of GIS tasks such as buffering, geoprocessing, importing/exporting, spatial statistics, and may be accessed from either ArcMap or ArcCatalog via the red toolbox button.

Some of the more popular tools are now also available via the GeoProcessing menu in ArcMap.

This video demonstrates how you can create a new dataset from an existing layer in ArcMap, based on selected features.

This video explains how you can 'clip' a layer in ArcMap using the extent of features in another layer as a kind of template. Simply use the Clip tool in ArcToolbox or from the Geoprocessing menu.

This video illustrates the Dissolve function within ArcToolbox, where you literally 'dissolve' the features within one layer to create another.

This video illustrates the Dissolve function within ArcToolbox, using a specific field (column) with the original layer in ArcMap.

This video introduces the Field Calculator in ArcMap. You'll learn how to create a new column (Field) in an attribute table and then calculate new values based on existing Fields.

This video demonstrates how to use the Join function in ArcMap. This allows you to attach spreadsheet data to existing Shapefiles to that you can then map it.

This short video explains how you can make individual layers transparent in ArcMap. It's a really useful technique for map making.

This video shows you how to create a new Shapefile from within ArcMap. You can create new Shapefiles and edit them very easily - whether they are point, polyline or polygon Shapefiles.

This video demonstrates how you can change the attributes of tables within ArcMap. You just need to add the Editor toolbar and then begin editing.

This is a short sample video from the SalfordGIS archive. It looks at the basics of map data in ArcMap, covering the different kinds of GIS data and the different parts of the ArcMap interface. It also demonstrates that GIS is about more than just maps.

This video is a brief introduction to the different components that, collectively, are known as ArcGIS Desktop. In this case, we look at ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox. Each of these has a different function within ArcGIS Desktop.

This video shows you the different options you'll see when you start ArcMap. It's useful to know what each of them are for and why we might want to use them. In most cases you will either want to start a new map or open one you previously worked on.

This video shows you how to get GIS data into ArcMap, via the 'Add Data' button. It also shows you how to drag-and-drop data into ArcMap from ArcCatalog and what happens when you add non-geographic data to ArcMap.

This video demonstrates some of the basic features of ArcMap. It covers the Table of Contents, the different view options, toolbars, and menus. You need to be familiar with these when using ArcMap.

This video shows you how to do some basic exploration of your GIS data in ArcMap. This is always a good first step to take before proceeding to further analysis. If you become familiar with these techniques it will be of great benefit.

Explains why you need to use ArcCatalog to manage, preview and organise your GIS data. It compares the Windows Explorer view of GIS data to that of ArcCatalog in order to make the point. Also includes creating thumbnail images of your GIS layer.

This video is an introduction to the ArcCatalog interface. It covers menus, toolbars and the Catalog Tree. If you accidentally change the appearance of any of these elements, this video will show you how to rectify it.

ArcCatalog can help you manage core GIS data files and a number of others that may not be native to GIS. This video goes into more detail about file management in ArcCatalog.

This video shows demonstrates how to connect to folders in ArcMap and ArcCatalog. In the former, we use this for adding data to our maps, and in the latter we use it to manage our GIS data. This is a key ArcGIS skill.

Sometimes when you are using a layer of data in ArcMap you will need to make sure that the correct projection is set for it. If you are making a simple map this is usually not necessary but it is a useful skill to have. This video shows you how to apply the British National Grid coordinate system to a layer.

The Tools toolbar in ArcMap is probably the most frequently used of all the various toolbars, and allows you to navigate and interact with your map. In this video, you learn how to zoom, pan and generally explore your map data.

This video explains how to select and query data in ArcMap using the Tools Toolbar. These are core ArcMap skills that you need to be familiar with.

This video shows you how to set the Data Frame properties in ArcMap. This is not to be confused with the Layer Properties because they do entirely different things. The former applies to the whole map view, while the latter only applies to individual layers in ArcMap.

Layer Properties is a fundamental part of your GIS. This video shows you how to use Layer Properties to change the appearance (the symbology) of individual layers in ArcMap.

This is just one aspect of controlling the Layer Properties in ArcMap, others are covered in Parts 2 and 3.

This video explains the how to add labels to your map layers in ArcMap. It covers simple labelling and also how to change the characteristics of your labels.

This video shows you how to filter your data so as to display only certain records from a map layer in ArcMap by using a Definition Query. It explains how to use the Query Builder and how to structure queries.

This video explains the phenomenon of red exclamation marks beside missing layers in ArcMap. This can be particularly worrying but it is quite easy to solve so there's no need to panic. Just tell ArcMap where the layers are - this video explains how.

This video explains how the Table of Contents works in ArcMap, including a review of the different tabs. Once you understand the principles behind it, you are able to manage your data much more effectively in ArcMap.

This video demonstrates how to save Spatial Bookmarks. It explains the difference between Spatial Bookmarks and My Places and shows how records can be transferred between the two.

This video explores the difference between the Data View and the Layout View in ArcMap. It explains what each view is for and why you need to be familiar with them both.

One of the most useful aspects of ArcMap is the ability to share your maps with non-GIS users. Exporting a layout to PDF carries over all the layers from ArcMap, and can even include limited feature attributes. This video shows you how.

This video explains how you can create an entirely new map layer from an existing layer in ArcMap. This is a very useful technique if you only want to work with a small part of a larger dataset.

This video demonstrates how to use the ArcCatalog application to create a new Shapefile, and how to add database fields into the attribute table at the same time. This is useful, for example, when starting a project where you might be needing to captur new data from a source map or aerial photograph.

This video covers the basics of ArcToolbox, such as where to find it, what it does and what is in it. It explains that ArcToolbox is the part of ArcGIS where you access geoprocessing tools.

Buffers are a relatively simple concept in GIS, but the only way of creating them in ArcView is through ArcToolbox. This video shows how to access the Buffer tool, and how to create a new map layer with it.

This video explains how to 'clip' a feature using another layer as a template for the clip.

This video shows you how to use the Dissolve function in ArcMap. This is used to aggregate smaller areas into larger areas.

This video explains how to use the Field Calculator to create a new variable in ArcMap, based on two existing fields from an attribute table.

This video explains how to join non-geographic data (e.g. an Excel table) to the features in a Shapefile in ArcMap, using an attribute (e.g. Ward Code, Census Output Area Code etc) common to both.

This video shows you how to make individual map layers transparent, using the Effects toolbar.

This video demonstrates how to make direct edits to values in your Attribute Tables in ArcMap.

This video demonstrates how to make a new tool appear in the toolbars in ArcMap. This can help you work more effectively and save time.

This video shows you how to add map data to MapInfo 10.5 and how to navigate it using some basic tools.

This video explains how you can position the Toolbars exactly where you want them in MapInfo to make working with map data easier.

This video show you how to set the default data directories in MapInfo. This tells MapInfo where to look for data when you click Open.

This video explains the basics of Layer Control in MapInfo 10.5, including how to make layers Editable, Selectable and how to label layers.

This video shows you how to change the colour and style of individual layers in MapInfo when you are working with them.

This video demonstrates how to use the different Quick Start options available each time MapInfo starts. It also explains how to disable Quick Start.

This video shows you how to set the default projection for Tables and Sessions in MapInfo.

This video show you how to set the default zoom level for new layers in MapInfo using the Window Manager tool.

This video demonstrates how to set the default style for layers in MapInfo so that they appear on the map exactly as you want them to as soon as you add them.

This video explains how to join two different tables together in MapInfo, using a common attribute value such as a reference number or code. Typically this is used to enable the visualisation of non-spatial data such as census variables against suitable geographic boundaries (e.g. Output Areas)

This short video demonstrates how to open map data in MapInfo and covers the basics of map exploration using some basic tools.

This video demonstrates how to configure the Toolbars in MapInfo and how to 'dock' them rather than have them 'floating' in front of your map data. It also explains how to save a Toolbar configuration as the default.

This video shows you how to specify where MapInfo looks for your data when you click the Open icon and how to set the default options. This also applies to opening Workspaces.

This short video explains how to set the default Projection for Tables and for Sessions in MapInfo to British National Grid.

This video explains the different viewing options available to you when opening Tables in MapInfo. Specifically, it explores the different Preferred View options.

This video explores the basic Layer Control options in MapInfo. It shows how to access Layer Control and how to make changes.

This video explains the different Quick Start options that appear each time you start MapInfo. It also explains how to disable Quick Start by default.

This video explains the difference between closing Windows and closing Tables in MapInfo.

This video explains how to label individual map layers in MapInfo via Layer Control. It also shows the various options available in the Label Options dialog.

This video explores the different Display Options for layers in MapInfo. The topics covered are Zoom Layering, Style Override and Translucency.

This video demonstrates how to use each of the Select tools from the Main toolbar in MapInfo.

This video explains the difference between Fields in a Table and Columns in a Brower, and shows how you can control which fields appear in your brower window and which are hidden.

This short video demonstrates how you can use keyboard shortcuts to access common MapInfo tasks more efficiently.

This video explains how to export the contents of a MapInfo map window to an image file, such as a JPEG, so that you can use it in another application.

This video explains how to change the default appearance (style) of map layers in MapInfo.

This video shows you how to set the default zoom for layers in MapInfo, so that when they open you have the view you want, rather than the default.

This video goes through the steps required to create a new Table in MapInfo. It explains how you can easily create new geographic layers.

In this video, the basic steps needed to create a Thematic Map are shown. Thematic Maps allow you to style maps according to data values.

This video explains how to create a Legend in MapInfo and how to add it to a Layout. Legends can be customised and formatted as you wish.

This video explains what MapInfo Places is, and how it is used, in MapInfo. You can customise this to your preferences quite easily to make data access simpler and more efficient.

This is a short introduction to Hotlinks in MapInfo. It explains how to activate them, and the different options available in the Hotlink options.

This video explains how to use Named Views in MapInfo and access it via the Tools Toolbar. Named Views allows you to save views in MapInfo and return to them later.

This video shows you how to create a buffer round a single point in MapInfo. Buffering is a basic spatial analysis method in GIS.

This video explains how to use the Query Select functions in MapInfo to select records and create a sub-set of data using a combination of attributes and the geographic relationships between layers.

This video shows you how to convert a file containing x and y co-ordinates to geographic points in MapInfo..

This video explains how to use the Universal Translator in MapInfo. This tool allows you to convert other file formats (e.g. ESRI Shape) to and from MapInfo TAB format.

This video demonstrates the procedure of adding a new field, or column, to a MapInfo Table. This is often necessary before using the Update Column command.

This video explains the process of joining non-geographic attribute data (e.g, in an Excel file) to the features in an existing geographic layer using an attribute (e.g. Ward Code, Super Output Area Code) common to both.

This video explores the more advanced features of Thematic Mapping by demonstrating how to add Bar Charts and customise the associated Style and Legend.

This video explains how to display only those features that fall within the boundary of a selected region on the map

This video explains how to use the Update Column command to change the case of letters in a field in a MapInfo Table.

This video explains how to use the Update Column command to extract characters from one field to create a new field in MapInfo.