Online GIS Tutorials for MapInfo and ArcView

GIS Tutorial Modules

Initially the webcasts will be based on the latest versions of MapInfo and ArcView (currently 9.5 and 9.3 respectively). As upgrades to these applications are released, so we will prepare revised webcasts to reflect exactly what you are seeing on screen.

Click on the to expand the list of modules for ArcView or MapInfo.

ArcView Modules ArcView 10.0 Basic The New ArcMap Interface This video takes some time to explore the ArcMap interface in version 10.0. The Table of Contents and Catalog are the focus here. Register ArcView 9.3 Basic Introduction to Map Data with ArcMap 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. View Basic An Introduction to ArcGIS Desktop 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. Register Basic Starting ArcMap - Exploring the Different Options 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. Register Basic How to Add Data to ArcMap 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. Register Basic Exploring the Basic Features of 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. Register Basic Basic Exploration of Data in 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. Register Basic Exploring GIS Data in ArcCatalog 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. Register Basic The Appearance of ArcCatalog 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. Register Basic ArcCatalog - Manage Multiple File Types 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. Register Basic Connecting to Folders in ArcMap and 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. Register Basic How to Set a Layer's Projection in ArcCatalog 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. Register Basic ArcMap - The Tools Toolbar Part 1 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. Register Basic ArcMap - The Tools Toolbar Part 2 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. Register Basic Setting the Data Frame Properties in ArcMap 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. Register Basic Layer Properties In ArcMap - Part 1 : Symbology 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. Register Intermediate Layer Properties In ArcMap - Part 2 : Labels 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. Register Intermediate Layer Properties In ArcMap - Part 3 : Definition Query 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. Register Intermediate How to Restore Missing Layers in ArcMap 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. Register Intermediate Interacting with the Table of Contents in ArcMap 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. Register Intermediate ArcMap: Saving Your Favourite Places 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. Register Intermediate ArcMap: Exploring Data View and Layout View 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. Register Intermediate Exporting your ArcMap Layout as a PDF document 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. Register Intermediate How to Create a New Map Layer in ArcMap 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. Register Intermediate Creating a New Shapefile Using ArcCatalog 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. Register Intermediate A short Introduction to ArcToolBox 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. Register Intermediate ArcToolBox: How to Create Buffers 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. Register Intermediate ArcToolBox: How to Clip a Feature in ArcMap This video explains how to 'clip' a feature using another layer as a template for the clip. Register Intermediate ArcToolbox: How to Dissolve Features in ArcMap This video shows you how to use the Dissolve function in ArcMap. This is used to aggregate smaller areas into larger areas. Register Advanced Using Field Calculator in ArcMap 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. Register Advanced How to Join Tables using a Common Attribute 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. Register Advanced How to Make Layers Transparent This video shows you how to make individual map layers transparent, using the Effects toolbar. Register Advanced Editing Attribute Values This video demonstrates how to make direct edits to values in your Attribute Tables in ArcMap. Register Advanced How to Customise the ArcMap Toolbar 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. Register		Mapinfo Modules MapInfo 10.5 Basic Add Data to MapInfo 10.5 This video shows you how to add map data to MapInfo 10.5 and how to navigate it using some basic tools. Register Basic Configure Toolbars in MapInfo This video explains how you can position the Toolbars exactly where you want them in MapInfo to make working with map data easier. Register Basic Set the Default Directory 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. Register Basic Layer Control in MapInfo 10.5 This video explains the basics of Layer Control in MapInfo 10.5, including how to make layers Editable, Selectable and how to label layers. Register Basic Change Layer Styles (Style Override) This video shows you how to change the colour and style of individual layers in MapInfo when you are working with them. Register Basic Quick Start Options This video demonstrates how to use the different Quick Start options available each time MapInfo starts. It also explains how to disable Quick Start. Register Basic Setting the Projection in MapInfo This video shows you how to set the default projection for Tables and Sessions in MapInfo. Register Intermediate How to Set the Default Zoom for a Layer This video show you how to set the default zoom level for new layers in MapInfo using the Window Manager tool. Register Advanced How to Join Tables Using a Common Attribute 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) Register MapInfo 9.5 Basic An Introduction to Map Data with MapInfo This short video demonstrates how to open map data in MapInfo and covers the basics of map exploration using some basic tools. View Basic Configuring the Toolbars in MapInfo 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. Register Basic Setting the Default Data Directory 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. Register Basic Setting the Table and Session Projection This short video explains how to set the default Projection for Tables and for Sessions in MapInfo to British National Grid. Register Basic Opening Tables - Preferred View This video explains the different viewing options available to you when opening Tables in MapInfo. Specifically, it explores the different Preferred View options. Register Basic An Introduction to Layer Control This video explores the basic Layer Control options in MapInfo. It shows how to access Layer Control and how to make changes. Register Basic Exploring the Quick Start Options 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. Register Basic Closing Tables v Closing Windows This video explains the difference between closing Windows and closing Tables in MapInfo. Register Basic How to Label Features 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. Register Basic Setting the Display Options for Layers This video explores the different Display Options for layers in MapInfo. The topics covered are Zoom Layering, Style Override and Translucency. Register Basic Using the Select Tools in MapInfo This video demonstrates how to use each of the Select tools from the Main toolbar in MapInfo. Register Basic Setting Field Visibility within the Browser Window 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. Register Basic Some Basic Keyboard Shortcuts in MapInfo This short video demonstrates how you can use keyboard shortcuts to access common MapInfo tasks more efficiently. Register Basic How to Export Image Files from MapInfo 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. Register Intermediate Setting the Default Style for Tables This video explains how to change the default appearance (style) of map layers in MapInfo. Register Intermediate How to Set the Default Zoom for a Layer 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. Register Intermediate How to Create a New Table in MapInfo This video goes through the steps required to create a new Table in MapInfo. It explains how you can easily create new geographic layers. Register Intermediate Creating a Thematic Map in MapInfo 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. Register Intermediate Creating Legends for Layouts in MapInfo 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. Register Intermediate MapInfo Places 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. Register Intermediate An Introduction to Hotlinks in MapInfo This is a short introduction to Hotlinks in MapInfo. It explains how to activate them, and the different options available in the Hotlink options. Register Intermediate How to Use Named Views in MapInfo 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. Register Intermediate Creating a Simple Buffer around a Point This video shows you how to create a buffer round a single point in MapInfo. Buffering is a basic spatial analysis method in GIS. Register Intermediate Selections and Queries in MapInfo 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. Register Intermediate Create Points from X,Y Coordinates in MapInfo This video shows you how to convert a file containing x and y co-ordinates to geographic points in MapInfo.. Register Intermediate Universal Translator 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. Register Intermediate How to Add a Field to a Table in MapInfo 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. Register Advanced How to Join Tables Using a Common Attribute 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. Register Advanced Advanced Thematic Mapping This video explores the more advanced features of Thematic Mapping by demonstrating how to add Bar Charts and customise the associated Style and Legend. Register Advanced How to Set a Clip Region This video explains how to display only those features that fall within the boundary of a selected region on the map Register Advanced Update Column in MapInfo: Example 1 This video explains how to use the Update Column command to change the case of letters in a field in a MapInfo Table. Register Advanced Update Column in MapInfo: Example 2 This video explains how to use the Update Column command to extract characters from one field to create a new field in MapInfo. Register