Is it possible to download/visualize/acquire information about the Geoprocessing tools applied to a certain dataset?

[DianaMoreno]

Dear all,

Hope you can help me with this one. I am currently trying to figure out how to map the results of a study that was made one year ago. From what I know, the dataset contains all the steps of the calculations but certainly it will take me more time than expected just figuring out what corresponds to what step.

I know metadata will help me but unfortunately there is none for my dataset. Is there anyway I can get info regarding on the calculations they did?

Cheers!

Diana

[MervynLotter]

Hi Diana

There is metadata and metadata. Every feature class has its own metadata which ArcGIS keeps track of. 

In what format is your data? A feature class, shapefile, AGOL feature layer? Metadata more limited for shapefiles. 

If your data in a feature class, and you change your metadata type under Options to anything else other than the default Item Description, you should see a section called Geoprocessing history which keeps track of all the geoprocessing tools run on your feature class. 

Below is an example of the geoprocessing history that Pro keeps track of. 

[DianaMoreno]

Hey!

Thanks for the answer. I have changed the metadata type under the options for the project this shape file is in. However where do I see the Geoprocessing history? 

Cheers,

Diana

[MervynLotter]

Hi Diana

Do you know what software created the shapefile?  I can view the geoprocessing history of some of my shapefiles but not all of my shapefiles contain that history. It may be more limited than geodatabase feature classes.

Regards

Mervyn

[DianaMoreno]

Hey Mervyn,

Is for sure ArcGIS Desktop the software the person who made the geoprocessing used. On PRO there is no info though.

Best,

Diana

[MervynLotter · Accepted solution]

Hi Diana

I suspect the geoprocessing history may no longer exist.

The metadata is usually stored in the .xml file associated with the shapefile. Can you check to see whether if was present before you started working with this file?

Regards 

[DianaMoreno]

Hey Mervyn,

I just found the .XLM files! Just got what I needed, thank you very much!

Best,

Diana

[DrewFlater]

Just for the discussion about ArcGIS Pro, there are two options for logging your geoprocessing operations - A> with the data/metadata, and B> in an external XML file

Geoprocessing options—ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS Desktop