ArcGIS for Excel is not just another map app...continued!
Here are a few valuable tips in 60 seconds or less.
Shortcuts
Have you ever noticed the caret pointing left on your map!?
When clicking on the caret you will find some additional options. Get Support will redirect to our online documentation, Reload is an alternate way to reset the map, Attach Debugger will open Microsoft Edge Dev Tools for additional mapping support, lastly, Security Info will provide the additional information on the version number, URL, SSL, Source, and runtime type. Each option is a valuable tool.
Map view
Security Info pop-up
CLEAN function
Messy data, error codes, oh, my! It is essential to have clean data, you may hear this term often when working with Esri maps. Take advantage of messy data by using the CLEAN function in Excel. This will remove all nonprintable characters from the text. Although this is a Microsoft function it nicely pairs with ArcGIS for Excel mapping, especially if printing is involved.
Insert function UI (User Interface)
For additional information, see Microsoft support.
Telemetry
In our newly redesigned Getting Started pages we have a new EUEI page with two available options. Option 1, Yes, let me help, or option 2, No, skip for now. opting in enables us to ‘gather telemetry’ which provides much-needed valuable information on how the ArcGIS for Excel add-in is being used. Identifiable data is not collected but it helps us see what functionality is valuable and where we can improve.
Getting Started, page 5
If you happened to select skip in this step in the initial Getting Started pages or missed enabling the EUEI program, do not worry, we believe in second chances, so simply go to settings, and toggle the button on to ‘send usage data to Esri’.
EUEI program UI from Settings
Public Content only
Don’t have any credentials to log in, no worries! Go ahead and select ‘continue’ to access public content only.
Public content only UI
Here you can add XY coordinates (at no cost to you), change base maps, and explore content from ArcGIS Online. Simply layer up some feature layers and begin to see all the possibilities.
Add from ArcGIS
Search Engine
Our search engine is new and improved (my personal favorite). We have improved the number of search results from the previous maximum allowable of 6 results to now include the option to scroll for additional results, you may also select to ‘show more results’ to see all available results. Searching by name, place, address, zip code or curiosity is super simple and resourceful. A simple workflow with so much added value.
Alright, a super exciting and informative 60 seconds complete! Hope you found these tips easy and simple to implement. Until next time folks.
And remember ArcGIS for Excel is not just another map app!
If there are areas of improvement for ArcGIS for Excel that you would like to see covered in a future blog, please provide your feedback to Esri Community. Also, check out my Story map for additional hidden gems.
