Export ArcGIS Table to Excel: Simple Guide

When working with GIS data, one common task is to export attribute tables from ArcGIS into formats that are easier to share or analyze further. Among the various formats, Microsoft Excel stands out due to its widespread use for data manipulation, visualization, and reporting. In this post, we'll guide you through the simple process of exporting an ArcGIS table to Excel, ensuring you can easily transfer your valuable spatial data into a format that's widely accessible and easily manipulable.

Understanding ArcGIS Tables

Before diving into the export process, let's briefly understand what an ArcGIS table is. These tables hold attribute information about your geographic data. Whether it's population statistics, land use, or any other spatial data, these tables serve as an essential part of your GIS project.

• Attribute Tables: Contains non-spatial information about each feature (point, line, or polygon) in a layer.
• Data Types: ArcGIS tables can have various data types including text, numeric, date, and more complex types like raster data or relationship classes.

Exporting a Table from ArcGIS to Excel

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open ArcMap

• Launch ArcMap, ensuring you have the necessary permissions to access the data.

Step 2: Load Your Table

• From the "Table of Contents," right-click on the layer whose attribute table you wish to export.
• Select "Open Attribute Table."

Step 3: Select Your Data

• If you want to export all fields, proceed to the next step.
• If you need only certain fields or records, select them by clicking on the field headers or rows, then right-click and choose "Export..."

Step 4: Export the Table

• From the attribute table, click on the "Options" button at the bottom-right corner and choose "Export."
• In the "Export" dialog, set the "Output table" to a location you can access.
• Change the "Save as type" to "Text File" or "DBase File (dbf)." Note: While Excel isn't directly supported for export, these formats can be opened in Excel.
• Click "Save."

Step 5: Opening the Exported Table in Excel

• Navigate to the exported file, typically in a .txt or .dbf format.
• If it's a .txt file:
  • Open Excel.
  • Go to "File" > "Open," select "Text Files," then choose your file.
  • Follow the Text Import Wizard, ensuring data types are set correctly.
• If it's a .dbf file:
  • Open Excel.
  • Go to "Data" > "Get Data" > "From Other Sources" > "From Microsoft Query."
  • Select your .dbf file and import.

💡 Note: Remember that Excel has limitations with large datasets. For extensive GIS tables, consider using specialized tools for data manipulation.

Using ArcGIS Pro for Export

ArcGIS Pro offers a more streamlined experience for exporting tables to Excel:

• Select your table or layer in the Contents pane.
• Right-click and choose "Open Table."
• From the "Export" tab, select "Export Table to Excel."
• Specify the location for your Excel file and choose the export options.

Table Comparison: ArcMap vs. ArcGIS Pro

In Summary

Exporting an ArcGIS table to Excel opens up a world of possibilities for data analysis and reporting, making your spatial data accessible to non-GIS users or further processed in a familiar environment like Microsoft Excel. While ArcMap requires a bit more manual work, ArcGIS Pro offers a direct path, enhancing efficiency for data professionals.