ArcGIS Pro Professional flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Project file (.aprx)

The ArcGIS Pro project file stores maps, layouts, and connections but not the data itself. It references data by path, so moving sources requires repairing the layer's data source.

Feature dataset

A container inside a geodatabase that holds feature classes sharing one spatial reference and, optionally, topology, network, or parcel fabric. All contents must use the same coordinate system.

Attribute domain

A rule restricting field values to a coded value list or numeric range. Domains are defined at the geodatabase level and assigned to fields, reducing invalid entries during editing.

Subtype

A way to group features within one feature class so each group has its own default values and domain assignments. Subtypes share one schema but behave differently during editing.

Topology rule

A geodatabase rule validating spatial relationships between features, such as Must Not Overlap or Must Not Have Gaps. Validation produces errors that can be inspected and marked as exceptions.

Versioning

An enterprise geodatabase capability allowing multiple editors to work in separate versions. Edits are reconciled and posted to the default version, with conflicts resolved by version or attribute.

Mosaic dataset

A geodatabase structure managing a collection of raster datasets as one image. It stores footprints, a boundary, and functions, making large imagery collections queryable and displayable efficiently.

Metadata style

A setting controlling which metadata elements ArcGIS Pro displays and validates, such as ISO 19115-3 or FGDC CSDGM. The style affects editing forms and export formats for item descriptions.

Select Layer By Attribute

A geoprocessing tool that selects features using a SQL query. The Selection Type parameter adds to, removes from, or selects a subset of the current selection.

Select Layer By Location

A tool selecting features based on a spatial relationship to another layer, such as intersects, within, or contains. It respects an existing selection through the Selection Type parameter.

Buffer Side Type

A Buffer parameter controlling whether the buffer extends on both sides, only left, only right, or outside the line. End Type separately controls round, flat, or square line caps.

Spatial Join match option

The spatial relationship used to pair target and join features, such as intersect, within, or closest. Join Operation controls whether output is one-to-one, one-to-many, or joined one-to-one.

Intersect vs Union

Intersect outputs only areas where all inputs overlap and keeps attributes from each. Union outputs all areas from all inputs, with null attributes where features do not overlap.

Environment settings

Project-level or tool-level settings applied to every geoprocessing run, including output coordinate system, extent, snap raster, cell size, and mask. Models and scripts inherit them.

Pairwise tools

A family of geoprocessing tools such as Pairwise Buffer and Pairwise Intersect designed for faster performance on large datasets. They are preferred over classic equivalents in new workflows.

Raster Calculator

A Spatial Analyst tool evaluating map algebra expressions across rasters, such as slope times a weight. Output cell size and extent follow the environment settings or the input rasters.

arcpy.EnvManager

A Python context manager setting geoprocessing environments for a block of code, such as workspace and output coordinate system. Settings revert when the block exits.

Map frame

A layout element displaying a map at a chosen scale and extent. Multiple map frames can show the same map differently, and each has its own scale and clipping options.

Graduated colors

A renderer symbolizing numeric values with a color ramp across classes. It suits choropleth mapping when values are normalized rates rather than raw counts.

Natural Breaks (Jenks)

A classification method minimizing within-class variance and maximizing between-class differences. It highlights clusters in the data but class breaks are not directly comparable across maps.

Quantile classification

A method placing an equal number of features in each class. It produces balanced maps but can split similar values across classes and exaggerate differences in skewed data.

Normalization

Dividing a field by another field or by percent of total so symbol size or color reflects rates rather than magnitude. Essential for comparing areas or populations of different sizes.

Maplex label engine

A labeling engine controlling placement, stacking, offset, and conflict resolution for labels. It offers more placement rules and better quality than the standard engine.

Reference scale

A scale at which symbols and labels are authored. As the map zooms, symbology and labels can scale proportionally, keeping relative appearance consistent across scales.

Dynamic text

Layout text that updates automatically from project properties, such as page number, date, map frame name, or layer name. It keeps map series and layouts current without manual edits.

Color ramp type

Sequential ramps suit ordered data, diverging ramps suit values around a meaningful midpoint, and qualitative ramps suit categories. Choosing the wrong type misrepresents the data.

Web feature layer

A hosted layer supporting query and, if enabled, editing and offline sync. It is published from ArcGIS Pro to ArcGIS Online or Enterprise and stored as features, not tiles.

Web tile layer

A cached, read-only layer served as pre-rendered tiles at fixed scales. It displays fast but cannot be queried for attributes or edited, and requires rebuilding the cache to update.

Overwrite Web Layer

A publishing option replacing an existing web layer's data while keeping the same item ID and URL. Maps and apps referencing the layer continue to work after republishing.

Sharing levels

Item sharing options: private to owner, shared with groups, shared with the organization, or public. Layer and item sharing are configured separately and govern who can access the content.

arcpy.mp

The ArcGIS Pro Python module for working with projects, maps, layers, and layouts. It can open an .aprx, change layer properties, and export layouts to PDF or images.

Hosted feature layer view

A view of a hosted feature layer applying filters, field visibility, and editing settings without duplicating the source data. Views let one dataset serve multiple audiences.