FAQ
For FAQs relating to ArcGIS 9.3 please click here
Q. How do I install PythonWin 2.4.1 and make correct file associations to work with ArcGIS 9.2?
Q. Does ArcGIS fully support the use of the Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994 (GDA94)?
Q. What is an NTv2 Transformation?
Q. How do NTv2 Transformations work within ArcGIS?
Q. How do I perform an NTv2 Transformation on Australian Data in ArcGIS Desktop?
Q. Why can't I open my .xls in ArcMap?
Q. How do I create shortcut keys for commonly used tasks in ArcMap?
Q. What do I do if I receive an error message regarding unlicenced tools when running ArcToolbox?
Q. What do I do when the Identify Results window does not display?
Q. Can single use and concurrent licences run on the same machine?
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Q. How do I install PythonWin 2.4.1 and make correct file associations to work with ArcGIS 9.2?
A. Click here for full instructions
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Q. Does ArcGIS fully support the use of the Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994 (GDA94)?
A. Yes, the ArcGIS product suite fully supports the use of GDA94. Download the technical information relevant to GDA 94.
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Q. What is an NTv2 Transformation?
A. An NTv2 (National Transformation version2) Transformation is a grid based datum transformation method that is used to convert mapping coordinates from one datum to another. Relative to other available datum transformation methods (eg. 3 parameter translation;7 parameter translation), the NTv2 transformation method offers the highest accuracy.
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Q. How do NTv2 Transformations work within ArcGIS?
A. The ArcGIS product suite incorporates use of NTv2 transformation files when an NTv2 datum transformation is undertaken. ArcGIS ships with the Australian NTv2 transformation files, that are required to transform data from : AGD66 to GDA 1994 and from, AGD84 to GDA 1994. These files cover the complete national extent, and were released in October 2001. (Prior to the release of these national files, state and territory based transformation files were instead utilised)
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Q. How do I perform an NTv2 Transformation on Australian Data in ArcGIS Desktop?
A. Australian NTv2 transformations applied in ArcGIS Desktop, require that NTv2 gsb transformation files exist at directory location :
<ArcGIS system install directory>\pedata\NTv2\australia
ArcGIS Desktop will automatically utilise :
A66_National_13_09_01.gsb to transform from AGD66 to GDA 1994, or National_84_02_07_01.gsb to transform from AGD84 to GDA 1994.
These gsb files were shipped with the ArcGIS product from version 9.0.
Click here for the full steps for performing an NTv2 transformation within ArcGIS Desktop, including Australian Datum Transformation Options
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Q. Why can't I open my .xls in ArcMap?
A. Possible causes:
- The name of the .xls file must not have spaces, special characters other than underscores and it must not begin with a number.
- Row 1 in the spreadsheet is read as field names in ArcMap. To successfully join the spreadsheet to a feature class in ArcMap, the first row of the spreadsheet must not contain spaces, special characters other than underscores, and none of the fields can begin with a number.
Click here for further information
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Q. How do I create shortcut keys for commonly used tasks in ArcMap?
A. Follow the steps below:
- Start ArcMap
- Click the Tools menu and click Customise
- Click the Keyboard button
- Click the category containing the command you want to modify
- Click the command to which you want to add a keyboard shortcut
- Click in the Press new shortcut key text box and press the keys on the keyboard that you want to use for a shortcut. For example, for Ctrl + Q, do not type Ctrl;, press the Ctrl key and the Q key at the same time. If those keys have been assigned to another command, that command's name will appear below.
- In the Save in combo box, click the drop-down arrow and choose the template in which the shortcut will be saved
- Click Assign if the keys aren't currently assigned to another command. The new shortcut appears in the Current Key/s list.
- Click Close on the Customise Keyboard dialog box.
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Q. What do I do if I receive an error message regarding unlicenced tools when running ArcToolbox?
A. You need to enable the extension. Navigate to Tools > Extensions. This will open a dialogue box that shows all currently available licences for extensions within ArcGIS Desktop. If the check box is not checked you have not enabled the extension. Place a tick in box next to the extension name and this will enable the extension. You will need to do this in both ArcMap and ArcCatalog.
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Q. What do I do when the Identify Results window does not display?
A. After clicking on the Identify tool from the Tools toolbar, no dialogue box appears, but the feature flashes. Click here to read various different suggestions to 'find' the identify window.
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Q. Can single use and concurrent licences run on the same machine?
A. Yes both single use and concurrent licences can run off the same machine but it is best to install the single use licence initially and the concurrent on top of the single use. It will detect the single use installation and just update what is necessary (registry settings). When you navigate to Desktop Administrator it should have the single use and concurrent options in the Software Product options. Technically however it doesn't matter which one is installed first, both will work. Click here for more information.