topic What is the difference between merge and spatial join? in Geoprocessing Questions https://community.esri.com/t5/geoprocessing-questions/what-is-the-difference-between-merge-and-spatial/m-p/621087#M20634 <HTML><HEAD></HEAD><BODY><P>In which situations would a merge be the optimal tool? and</P><P></P><P><SPAN>In which situations would a Spatial Join&nbsp;be the optimal tool?</SPAN></P></BODY></HTML> Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:49:56 GMT DinoDiGioacchino 2017-10-23T13:49:56Z What is the difference between merge and spatial join? https://community.esri.com/t5/geoprocessing-questions/what-is-the-difference-between-merge-and-spatial/m-p/621087#M20634 <HTML><HEAD></HEAD><BODY><P>In which situations would a merge be the optimal tool? and</P><P></P><P><SPAN>In which situations would a Spatial Join&nbsp;be the optimal tool?</SPAN></P></BODY></HTML> Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:49:56 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/geoprocessing-questions/what-is-the-difference-between-merge-and-spatial/m-p/621087#M20634 DinoDiGioacchino 2017-10-23T13:49:56Z Re: What is the difference between merge and spatial join? https://community.esri.com/t5/geoprocessing-questions/what-is-the-difference-between-merge-and-spatial/m-p/621088#M20635 <HTML><HEAD></HEAD><BODY><P>The <A class="link-titled" href="http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/tools/data-management-toolbox/merge.htm" title="http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/tools/data-management-toolbox/merge.htm">merge</A>&nbsp;tool will combine two datasets into a single output dataset. &nbsp;The tool contains a 'Field Mapping' option where the user can define which fields from the input datasets will be combined into the output table. &nbsp;</P><P></P><P>The <A class="link-titled" href="http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/tools/analysis-toolbox/spatial-join.htm" title="http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/tools/analysis-toolbox/spatial-join.htm">spatial join</A>&nbsp;tool combines two datasets into a single joined dataset based on a spatial relationship. &nbsp;This tool has the same&nbsp;'Field Mapping' option as the merge tool. &nbsp;The spatial join tool must be point, lines, or polygons (no tables) since the tool runs on spatial features.&nbsp;</P><P></P><P>I normally use the merge tool to combine two like datasets (i.e. primary roads and secondary roads) and whose attribute table is similar. &nbsp;</P><P></P><P>I normally use the spatial join tool to combine two datasets that have a spatial relationship in some way (i.e. traffic signs and roads). Or, this tool can help if&nbsp;I'm needing to analyze attributes from one dataset to another based on a spatial relationship. &nbsp;</P><P></P><P>Please review the hyperlinks above. &nbsp;Both tools are handy and powerful, but they serve different purposes.&nbsp;</P></BODY></HTML> Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:14:04 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/geoprocessing-questions/what-is-the-difference-between-merge-and-spatial/m-p/621088#M20635 MitchHolley1 2017-10-23T14:14:04Z Re: What is the difference between merge and spatial join? https://community.esri.com/t5/geoprocessing-questions/what-is-the-difference-between-merge-and-spatial/m-p/621089#M20636 <HTML><HEAD></HEAD><BODY><P>Thank-you so much, Mitch! I really appreciate your explanation and the links!! A great help.</P></BODY></HTML> Tue, 24 Oct 2017 14:10:34 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/geoprocessing-questions/what-is-the-difference-between-merge-and-spatial/m-p/621089#M20636 DinoDiGioacchino 2017-10-24T14:10:34Z