Working with Tables Lesson 5 of Introduction to ArcGIS for Emergency Managers

Goals and Objectives Goals: The goals of this lesson are to explain the function of tables and to demonstrate their role in creating graphs. After completing this lesson, you will be able to  Identify and describe the structure, anatomy, and function of tables and table elements in ArcMap  Associate tables in ArcMap  Create graphs

Table Structure Tables contain information about features. Each feature class has an associated table. Tables are opened from the table or layer context menu.

Table Anatomy Basic Properties:  There is one row for each geographic feature.  Tables have unique field names.  Table values are called attributes. ArcGIS supports many types of tabular data:  String  Numeric  Date  Boolean (true/false)  BLOB (binary large object)

Field Options Sort in ascending or descending order Advanced Sorting Summarize Statistics Field Calculator Calculate Geometry Turn Field Off Freeze/Unfreeze Column Delete Field

Field Properties Options:  Define an alias that is used in the table window as well as elsewhere in ArcMap  Control visibility  Control format for numeric fields

Table Options Find and Replace (in Edit mode) Several selection options Add new fields Control field visibility Show field aliases Control field and table appearance Joins and relates Create graphs and reports Print or export

Associating Tables Attributes can be stored in a feature table or an additional table. You can associate tables with common values.

Table Cardinality Cardinality refers to how many A objects are related to B objects. You must know cardinality before associating tables.

Activity: Cardinality What relations are present in the following examples? 1.A single building per parcel 2.Many buildings in a single parcel 3.A single parcel contains many buildings

Activity: Cardinality What relations are present in the following examples? 1.A single building per parcel  One to one. 2.Many buildings in a single parcel  Many to one. 3.A single parcel contains many buildings  One to Many.

Joins vs. Relates Join  Virtually combines attributes from two tables into one  One to One or Many to One cardinality Relate  Defines the relation between two tables  One to Many or Many to Many cardinality

Joining Tables Identify the data that are in common between two tables. Note that field names do NOT have to be the same, but field types do.

Joining Tables (Cont’d.) 1. Complete the join data dialog and click OK. 3. Create thematic maps or perform other tasks as desired. 2. The tables will be virtually connected to one another.

Relating Tables Identify the relation between the two tables you want to associate with one another. Tables will be associated but will remain visually separate from each other. Open related table.

Field Calculator The Field Calculator provides a powerful range of functions for manipulating attributes for one record or for multiple records.

Graphs and Charts ArcGIS provides sophisticated graphing and charting tools.

Review What are some table options in ArcMap? What is the difference between joining and relating tables?

Exercise Navigating Tables Joining Tables Using the Field Calculator Creating Graphs