Skills Tutorials
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the Basics
Mapping Data
Analyzing Data
and Making Data
The skills tutorials aim to introduce GIS and geospatial learners to the range of activities performed by GIS analysts across multiple platforms and software. Most of the skills tutorials assume some familiarity with the geographic or cartographic concepts employed by each tool, based on the context of the work.
For learners: The tutorials explain how to perform a particular task or operation using specific software or on a given platform, usually with a quick example.
For teachers: The tutorials are designed to readily plug into any exercise, assignment, or other instructional materials. They are written with hope of wide applicability, whether your students are GIS-ing for the Earth sciences, public health, or social sciences. Their URLs are permanent, and the content is reviewed and updated—so, your teaching materials stay current even as software changes.
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FAQs & Other Help
Software FAQs. A list of common questions with links to relevant tutorials.
Working with Attributes. See a categorized list of tutorials related to working with attribute tables, including a growing collection of tutorials to help write field calculations.
Finding Data. See a list of tutorials on downloading datasets from various common sources here.
Basics
Beginners! Start here with beginner-friendly sequences to help you jump into GIS software.
Getting Started
(ArcGIS Pro) Launching ArcGIS Pro; Accessing Global Settings and Options; Creating and Saving a New Project; and Accessing a Project’s Settings and Options.
(ArcGIS Pro) Opening the Attribute Table; Accessing individual feature attributes interactively
(ArcGIS Pro) Enabling snapping to features; Accessing the Measure tools; Using the Measure tool with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) Working with multiple map views; Adding a new map view; Renaming maps; copy/paste data layers between views.
(ArcGIS Pro) Creating a new layout; Adding a map frame to the layout; Activating a map frame; Map frame properties; Multiple map frames
(QGIS) Launching QGIS; Accessing global and project settings; Creating and saving a new project.
(QGIS) Enabling snapping; Accessing the Measure tool; Using the Measure tool with example
Set Up & Export a Basic Map
(ArcGIS Pro) Creating a new layout; Adding a map frame to the layout; Activating a map frame; Map frame properties; Multiple map frames
Mapping Data
Skills tutorials focused on visualizing and examining geospatial data. Topics include queries and selections, map projections and CRS, symbology and classification, basic webmapping, and others.
Queries & Selections
(ArcGIS Pro) Interactive selection through the map view and the attribute table; Modifying, combining, and clearing selections; Zooming to selected features; Isolating attribute records of selected features
(ArcGIS Pro) Selecting features by qualitative and quantitative attributes; the Expression Builder dialogue; Building compound query statements
(ArcGIS Pro) Selecting features by location, relative to other features; Building a spatial query statement.
(ArcGIS Pro) Export features via the Contents pane to create a new feature class from a selection
(QGIS) Interactive Selection in Map Canvas and Attribute Table; Clearing current selection; Zooming to selected features; Isolating selections
(QGIS) Accessing the Select Features by Value options; Selecting by qualitative values; Selecting by quantitative values with a compound query; Selecting by multiple parameters in the same field
Projections & Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS)
(ArcGIS Pro) Default setting for a map view’s coordinate reference system; Checking and changing the coordinate system of a map view.
(ArcGIS Pro) Identifying the coordinate reference system and projection of a feature layer within the layer’s properties
(ArcGIS Pro) Reprojecting or changing the coordinate reference system of a vector or raster layer; the Project tool and Project Raster tool
(QGIS) Default setting for a map view’s coordinate reference system; Checking and changing the coordinate system of a map view.
Vector Symbology & Classification
(ArcGIS Pro) Single symbols by default; Formatting a symbol: Format gallery and properties; Two examples
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Categorical Symbology options, with point features; Employing categorical symbols based on one or more fields; Formatting categorical symbols, in the Symbol Format Gallery; Additional examples with polylines and polygons
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing unclassified quantitative symbology options; Unclassed colors, with examples for points and other feature types; Proportional symbols; Dot density symbols.
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing a quantitative symbology type; Classification method options; Accessing histograms and statistics
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing classified symbology options; Graduated Colors to create a choropleth map; Graduated Symbols with point features
(QGIS) Accessing and using Categorized symbology options; Formatting symbols; Examples with points, lines, and polygons
(QGIS) Accessing Graduated symbology; Classification method options; Accessing histogram of feature values
(QGIS) Accessing classified quantitative symbology options; Graduated colors symbology; Graduated symbols symbology
Raster Symbology & Classification
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing symbology options; Applying unique values symbology to a raster; Bonus: don’t use a color ramp for categorical data
(ArcGIS Pro) Stretched rasters as default; Stretched symbology options; Statistics options and examining the histogram; Changing the color ramp
(ArcGIS Pro) Symbology options; Classification methods; Changing the number of classes; Changing the color ramp; Examining the histogram
Basic Webmapping with Leaflet
(Visual Studio Code) Launching Visual Studio Code; Creating a new folder for your project; Setting up a basic HTML file; Opening and running your first web page in a browser.
(Leaflet) Why use GeoJSON?; Loading a GeoJSON file into Leaflet; How to Style your Markers
(Leaflet) Setting a custom initial zoom level, Setting Minimum and Maximum zoom levels, Disabling or customizing panning behavior
Analyzing Data
Software resources for executing geoprocessing operations and other functions to support spatial analysis. Topics include basic vector and raster geoprocessing, spatial statistics, remote sensing, network analysis, and more.
Vector Geoprocessing
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Count Overlapping Features tool and reviewing its parameters; Running the tool and examining its results, with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Union tool; Reviewing the tool parameters; Running the tool and examining results, with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) the Geoprocessing History pane; Accessing processing history and results; Re-running an operation from the history; filtering and sorting the processes list
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Geoprocessing Pane; Navigating the toolboxes; Searching for a tool
(ArcGIS Pro) Archived June 2025. Setting up and executing a spatial join, with a point-to-polygon example.
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Kernel Density tool and reviewing its parameters; Calculating a Kernel Density raster from point features with three examples
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Feature to Point tool to create points from polygon features
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Buffer tool and reviewing its parameters; Running the tool with one example.
(ArcGIS Pro) Comparing the Dissolve and Pairwise Dissolve tools; Dissolving features, with an example, and examining results.
Brief Description: (ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Feature to Raster tool, with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) Plotting XY coordinate points as an event layer; Using the XY Table to Point tool to plot coordinates in a new feature class.
(QGIS) Accessing the Heatmap tool and reviewing its parameters; Calculating a Kernel Density raster from point features with three examples
(QGIS) Accessing the Buffer tool and reviewing its parameters; Running the tool with one example
(QGIS) Accessing the Aggregate tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters; Examining results with an example
(QGIS) Accessing the Clip tool; Reviewing the Clip tool parameters; Running the tool and examining results, with an example
(QGIS) Accessing the Union Tool; Reviewing the tool parameters; Running the Tool and Examining Results, with an example
(QGIS) Accessing the Dissolve Tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters; Examining results with an example
(QGIS) Accessing the Join Attributes by Location (summary) tool; Tool Parameters and Options; Example: Point-to-Polygon Spatial Join, with aggregation and sum; More about Spatial Joins
(QGIS) Plotting XY coordinate points as a temporary layer; Plotting and saving coordinate points as a new feature class
(QGIS) Accessing the Multi-ring Buffer (constant distance) tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters and options; Running the tool with an example and examining the results
(QGIS) Accessing the Centroids tool and reviewing its parameters; Running the tool with an example to create points from polygon features.
(QGIS) Comparing and discussing different tools for creating bounding geometry polygons from the Vector Geometry toolset, including Minimum Bounding Geometry, Concave Hull (alpha shapes), and Concave Hull (K-Nearest Neighbors)
Raster Geoprocessing
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Distance Accumulation tool; Reviewing the tool’s basic parameters and options for a simple straight-line distance raster; Running one example with point inputs and examining results
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Raster to Point tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters and options; Running one example and examining its results.
(ArcGIS Pro) the Geoprocessing History pane; Accessing processing history and results; Re-running an operation from the history; filtering and sorting the processes list
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Geoprocessing Pane; Navigating the toolboxes; Searching for a tool
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Zonal Statistics as Table tool; Two examples: Zonal statistics with polygon zone data and with raster zone data; Comparing the Zonal Statistics tool and the Zonal Statistics as Table tool
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Kernel Density tool and reviewing its parameters; Calculating a Kernel Density raster from point features with three examples
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Raster to Polygon tool; Reviewing the tools options and parameters; Running the tool with an example and examining its results
(ArcGIS Pro) Creating a layer from a multiband raster dataset, using the Make Raster Layer tool, with an example and examining its results
(ArcGIS Pro) Using the Composite Bands tool to create a multiband raster dataset from individual rasters, with an example
Brief Description: (ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Feature to Raster tool, with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Raster Calculator tool; Raster Calculator options and parameters; Four Examples using the Raster Calculator: Adding two raster layers, addition and multiplication, subtraction between layers, and multiplying by a binary raster
(ArcGIS Pro) Reviewing the utility of the Extract by Mask tool; Accessing the Extract by Mask tool and reviewing its options and parameters; Running the tool and examining its results
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Reclassify tool and reviewing its options and parameters; Three examples: Reclassifying by Quantile, Reclassifying with Manual ranges, and Creating a binary raster with reclassification
(ArcGIS Pro) Archived June 2025. Accessing the Euclidean Distance tool; Reviewing the tool parameters and options; Running the tool and examining its results
Spatial Statistics
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and Using the Mean Center tool, the Median Center tool, and the Central Feature tool; Reviewing each tool’s parameters and options; Multiple examples and examining the results
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Average Nearest Neighbor Tool; Reviewing the tool parameters and options; Running one example and reviewing its results
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the tools to calculate standard and directional distributions; Reviewing the Standard Distance tool’s parameters and running two examples; Reviewing the Directional Distribution tool’s parameters and running one example.
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Hotspot Analysis tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters and options for the Getis-Ord Gi* test for local clustering; Running the tool with an example and reviewing the results.
Network Analysis
(ArcGIS Pro) A brief summary of the steps to create a network dataset from a polyline feature class, with links to related software tutorials per step.
(ArcGIS Pro) An introduction to working with Network Analysis Layers; the basic workflow of network analysis in ArcGIS
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Make a Service Area Analysis Layer tool; Accessing and changing Service Area Analysis Layer properties
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Add Locations tool to assign point locations to network analysis sublayers
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Solve network analysis tool; Review of the tool’s parameters and options; Running the tool with an example and examining its results
(ArcGIS Pro) Creating a network dataset, examining results including “dirty areas” and the dataset’s properties; Building the network dataset; Accessing, adding, or editing network attributes
(QGIS) Accessing the Service Area (from point) Tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters and options; Running the tool with an example and examining results
(QGIS) Accessing and using the Service Area (from Layer) tool, with an example and examining its results
Remote Sensing
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Image Classification Wizard; Reviewing the steps of image classification; Executing the steps (required and optional) of image classification with an example for demonstration
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and inspecting the Training Sample manager; Creating training samples in a new class; Manipulating samples; Saving the schema and training samples
Making Data
The Making Data tutorials cover skills to create GIS datasets from scratch and working with different data types. These include georeferencing, digitizing, and geocoding; creating new geometry from existing data; and converting between data types.
Creating Data
(ArcGIS Pro) Setting Up for Digitizing; Adding Line Features, Modifying and Deleting Line Features; Additional digitization tools
(ArcGIS Pro) Setting Up for Digitizing; Adding Point Features; Modifying and Deleting Point Features; Additional digitization tools
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Create Feature Class tool; Create Feature Class parameters; New Vector Datasets (example results)
(ArcGIS Pro) What is geocoding?; Preparing to geocode; Geocoding by Polygons (three steps)
(ArcGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Pane and Toggling Editing mode; Adding polygon features; Editing polygon features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(ArcGIS) Setting up for georeferencing; Accessing the Georeferencer; Adding control points; Checking accuracy and Adjusting control points; Transformation Settings; Running the georeferencing operation; More notes and tips on control points
(ArcGIS Pro) Reviewing the menus and options for georeferencing raster map images in ArcGIS Pro.
(ArcGIS Pro) Plotting XY coordinate points as an event layer; Using the XY Table to Point tool to plot coordinates in a new feature class.
(QGIS) Setting Up to Plot; Option 1: Drag from Browser Panel; Option 2: Add from Data Source Manager
(QGIS) Option 1: Create Attributes while Digitizing; Option 2: Add in the Attribute Table
(QGIS) Setting up for georeferencing; Accessing the Georeferencer; Adding control points; Checking accuracy and Adjusting control points; Transformation Settings; Running the georeferencing operation; More notes and tips on control points
(QGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Toolbar and Toggling Editing mode; Adding polygon features; Editing polygon features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(QGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Toolbar and Toggling Editing mode; Adding line features; Editing line features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(QGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Toolbar and Toggling Editing mode; Adding point features; Editing point features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(QGIS) Accessing the Create Layers tools; the New Shapefile Layer tool’s parameters and examples.
(QGIS) Plotting XY coordinate points as a temporary layer; Plotting and saving coordinate points as a new feature class
Data Types & Conversions
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Raster to Point tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters and options; Running one example and examining its results.
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Feature to Point tool to create points from polygon features
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Features to JSON tool to convert a vector feature class to a GeoJSON file.
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Raster to Polygon tool; Reviewing the tools options and parameters; Running the tool with an example and examining its results
(ArcGIS Pro) Creating a layer from a multiband raster dataset, using the Make Raster Layer tool, with an example and examining its results
(ArcGIS Pro) Using the Composite Bands tool to create a multiband raster dataset from individual rasters, with an example
Brief Description: (ArcGIS Pro) Accessing and using the Feature to Raster tool, with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) Creating a network dataset, examining results including “dirty areas” and the dataset’s properties; Building the network dataset; Accessing, adding, or editing network attributes
(ArcGIS Pro) Creating a feature dataset within a geodatabase with the Create Feature Dataset tool