GIS Plugins For Excel
Overview
Unlock the power of geographic information systems (GIS) within the familiar environment of Microsoft Excel with our cutting-edge GIS plugin, available on AppSource. Developed by industry leader Esri, this plugin transforms your spreadsheet data into insightful, interactive maps, enhancing data analysis by adding a geographic component. On this page, we delve into the essentials of GIS, the seamless integration with Excel through our plugins, their common use cases—such as visualizing customer prospects and analyzing their proximity to your business—and answer frequently asked questions. Discover how to elevate your data visualization and make informed decisions faster and more efficiently with our GIS plugin for Excel.
What is GIS?
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system designed to capture, store, check, and display data related to positions on Earth's surface. This technology is crucial for managing spatial data infrastructure, as it allows for the understanding of spatial patterns and relationships.
GIS software is a multifaceted tool that uses location information in various formats. It enables the comparison and contrast of diverse types of data and can incorporate data from numerous sources. By aligning information from these different sources, GIS can effectively display spatial relationships, including linear networks.
The data processed by GIS is instrumental in a range of applications. It aids in the creation of maps, analysis of spatial information, and the dissemination of this information. GIS is utilized to tackle complex issues, identify and monitor problems, manage events, and forecast and prioritize responses. It also helps users to grasp trends over time. Moreover, GIS technology streamlines the process of updating maps, showcasing both natural features and human activities.
GIS Plugins for Excel
The integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) plugins with Excel brings together the analytical capabilities of Excel with the advanced mapping and spatial analysis functions of GIS software. This powerful combination facilitates the visualization, analysis, and reporting of geographic data within the familiar environment of Excel, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.
Excel E-Maps Plugin
Excel E-Maps is a versatile GIS plugin compatible with Excel versions from 2007 to 2019. It requires an internet connection to utilize maps from Here TM and is fully integrated into Excel for seamless thematic mapping and data visualization. Excel E-Maps offers three versions—Standard, Pro, and Advanced—each building upon the previous with additional capabilities, such as enhanced selection tools and advanced drawing functions. For instance, the Standard version includes worldwide geocoding and background maps, while the Pro and Advanced versions offer additional background maps and advanced selection and drawing capabilities, respectively.
ArcGIS for Excel Plugin
To leverage the ArcGIS plugin for Excel, users must first download and install the add-in, followed by signing in with an ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise account. With the necessary Publisher or Administrator role, users can effortlessly add spatial data to their maps using the ArcGIS tab, directly from Excel tables or cell ranges. This data must comprise location-based attributes such as address data or longitude and latitude values. ArcGIS for Excel enriches the user experience by providing diverse styling options for data representation on the map, including the use of graduated circles for comparative analysis. Furthermore, it allows users to customize pop-up attributes, which display additional information upon clicking a map location, and to share their maps on ArcGIS Online to effectively present their findings.
Benefits of GIS Plugins in Excel
Employing GIS plugins within Excel offers significant advantages by amalgamating the strengths of both Excel and GIS into a single interface. This eliminates the inefficiency of transferring data between different programs, thereby saving time and reducing the risk of errors. With these add-ins, users can effortlessly transform Excel tables into interactive maps, export map layers back into Excel for further manipulation, and disseminate their results as online maps or KML files suitable for Google Earth. This integration not only elevates the data analysis and reporting capabilities but also augments the decision-making process with spatial context and insights.
Common Use Cases
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Create and share interactive maps within ExcelG
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Perform visual analysis of spatial data directly in ExcelG
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Plot and style business and customer locations on a map using address dataG
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Analyze and visualize spatial data for environmental, marketing, or business applicationsG
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Export map layers and publish results as online maps or KML files for Google EarthG
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set the language for ArcGIS for Excel?
The language for ArcGIS for Excel is set within the Excel Options pane.
Where can I find the version information for the ArcGIS for Excel plugin?
Version information for the ArcGIS for Excel plugin can be found by hovering over the Esri logo in the map frame.
Does using geocoding and data enrichment in ArcGIS for Excel consume credits?
Yes, some functionality of ArcGIS for Excel, like geocoding and data enrichment, consumes ArcGIS credits. However, standard geographies such as ZIP Codes, states, counties, and countries do not consume credits when geocoding.
Can I use ArcGIS for Excel on macOS?
Yes, ArcGIS for Excel can be used on macOS without the need to install Windows.
What should I do if the ArcGIS tab is missing or duplicated on the Excel ribbon?
Clearing the cache can resolve issues with the display of the ArcGIS tab in Excel. Instructions are available for clearing the Excel add-in cache on both Windows and macOS machines.
Conclusion
Excel plugins like Excel E-Maps and ArcGIS for Excel have revolutionized the way we integrate GIS capabilities within spreadsheets. With E-Maps supporting various Excel versions and offering different levels of functionality across its Standard, Pro, and Advanced versions, users can perform worldwide geocoding and choose from a range of maps including high-quality roadmaps and aerial pictures. Meanwhile, ArcGIS for Excel enhances Excel's functionality by allowing the creation of interactive maps that utilize both Excel and ArcGIS data, enabling even standard users without an ArcGIS subscription to view public content, add points, and interact with maps directly within Excel. However, for a seamless experience of importing data directly into a spreadsheet without the need for a plugin, sign up for Sourcetable to get started and take your data analysis to the next level.
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