ArcGIS Pro Foundation key terms

A collection of features of the same geometry type (point, line, or polygon) stored together with a common set of attribute fields, usually inside a geodatabase.

A container that stores spatial and nonspatial datasets together, adding behavior such as domains, subtypes, and relationship classes that plain file formats cannot enforce.

A legacy multi-file vector format holding one geometry type and its attributes, requiring several sidecar files to remain together for the data to display correctly.

A tabular view of the records in a dataset, where each row is a feature and each column is a field holding a value for that feature.

A single column in an attribute table that stores one type of information, such as a name, a measurement, or a date, for every record.

A rule attached to a field that restricts allowed values to a coded list or a valid range, helping keep attribute entries consistent across a dataset.

A grouping of features within one feature class that share the same behavior and default values, such as different pipe materials stored in a single utility layer.

A stored association between two tables or feature classes that defines how records relate, including whether one record links to one or many others.

A temporary operation that appends fields from one table to another based on a shared key value, so attributes can be viewed or symbolized together.

A temporary link between two tables that lets you select records in one and see associated records in the other without merging their fields into a single table.

A framework of numbers that defines where locations sit on the earth, including geographic systems measured in degrees and projected systems measured in linear units.

The mathematical transformation that converts locations on the curved earth surface into positions on a flat map, always introducing some distortion of shape, area, distance, or direction.

The process of aligning raster imagery or scanned maps to real-world coordinates by linking known ground control points to their true positions.

A dataset made of a grid of cells, each holding a value such as elevation or land cover, well suited to continuous surfaces rather than discrete features.

A data model that represents real-world objects as discrete points, lines, or polygons with associated attribute records rather than as a grid of cells.

A data model for managing many raster images as one seamless layer, storing source references and processing rules so imagery can be displayed and queried together.

A document in the project that holds layers, symbology, and layout-independent settings for viewing and interacting with spatial data on screen.

A 3D view in the project where layers are drawn in three dimensions, allowing terrain, buildings, and other content to be viewed from any angle.

A reference to a dataset drawn inside a map or scene, carrying its own display settings such as symbology, labeling, visibility range, and definition query.

The rules that control how features or cells are drawn, using color, size, shape, or patterns to represent values, categories, or quantities in a layer.

The specific drawing method applied to a layer, such as single symbol, unique values, graduated colors, or graduated symbols, that determines how each feature is depicted.

The rule used to divide numeric values into classes for graduated symbology, such as equal interval, quantile, natural breaks, or standard deviation.

Text drawn on a map from a feature's attribute value to describe it, with placement and formatting controlled by label classes and label settings.

Text stored as a feature in a geodatabase or as graphics, giving manual control over position and appearance rather than generating text dynamically from attributes.

A filter saved on a layer that limits which features are drawn and selectable, based on a SQL expression evaluated against the layer's attribute fields.

A subset of features or records chosen interactively or by query, which can then be examined, exported, or used as input to further operations.

A page design that arranges one or more maps, plus elements such as legends, scale bars, and titles, for printing or exporting as a finished map product.

A layout element that places a map or scene onto the page at a chosen scale and extent, serving as the window through which the map content is shown.

The framework of tools that operate on spatial data to create or modify datasets, run singly, in models, or as scripts, with inputs and outputs defined by parameters.

A container of geoprocessing tools organized by function, available as system toolboxes installed with the software or as custom toolboxes you create and share.

A visual environment for chaining geoprocessing tools into a workflow diagram, where outputs of one tool become inputs to the next and the model can be saved and rerun.

A scripting language used to automate geoprocessing and map production, with access to the application's tools and project contents through a dedicated site package.

A geoprocessing operation that creates polygons at a specified distance around input features, often used to define areas of influence or proximity.

An operation that combines two layers geometrically to produce new features, such as intersection, union, or erase, based on where their geometries coincide.

A tool that cuts input features to the boundary of a polygon layer, keeping only the portions that fall inside the clip shape while preserving their attributes.

A tool that appends attributes from one layer to another based on spatial relationship rather than a shared key field, such as points falling inside polygons.

A log of tools that have been run in a project, recording parameters and inputs so a previous operation can be reviewed, reopened, or rerun with changes.

The file that organizes all work for a task, storing references to maps, layouts, databases, toolboxes, and other items rather than the data itself in many cases.

An online organizational site used to share maps, layers, and apps with colleagues or the public, and to control access through accounts, groups, and permissions.

A hosted layer published to a portal that can be added to web maps and apps, delivering features or tiles to clients over the internet.

The act of publishing or granting access to maps, layers, and other items so that specified users, groups, or the public can view or use them.

A setting on a shared item that determines what others may do with it, such as viewing only, editing, or full control over its contents.

A file that bundles prebuilt map tiles and their metadata for offline use or publication, allowing fast display without rendering features on the fly.

The process of writing map, layout, or data content out to another format, such as an image file, a PDF, or a different spatial data format.