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Setup Batch processing in ArcGIS 9.2 with Excel

Thu, 2007-02-22 08:52 — nico

Setup Batch processing in ArcGIS 9.2 with Excel

With v9.2 ESRI has brought a useful batch processor to most of the toolbox functions.

Right-clicking the item in the toolbox view shows the "Batch..." command.

The matrix of cells that appear in the Batch command can be difficult to fill-in, however I've found that you can construct a more elaborate batch in MS Excel and then paste those values back in to the ArcGIS batch window.

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The batch window provides a number of cells and here are some steps to expediting constructing a long, elaborate batch without using scripting.

  1. Completely fill in one row of the batch including the input and output file names and any transformations that might occur. For example, for reprojecting a raster include both the coordinate system and the transformation method to be used.
  2. Click the Plus icon in the batch window to generate as many empty lines as you'll need to run the batch.
  3. Select line 1 (click the left edge) and copy and then paste into a spreadsheet like MS Excel
  4. Excel steps:
    1. Right-click and Insert Column at the top of Col C to put a Column C the right of Column B (output)
    2. put the output filename in Column C and erase from Column B.
    3. Select entire active table area and use Edit > Fill Down... to populate the entire table with the values of the top row.
    4. Fill Column A (input) with the input filenames and (perhaps) Fill Column C (output filename) with the same file names. *NOTE* There are sometimes restrictions on output, for example reprojecting rasters need to output to TIF.
    5. Create another new column (Col D) to the right of Column C and enter this value in there:
    6. = CONCATENATE (B1, C1)
    7. to rejoin the output path with the output filename.
    8. insert ANOTHER column (Col E) to the right of Column D. Select all of Col D and right-click Col E header and click "Paste Special...". Choose Values.
    9. Now you may delete Columns B through D. The values in E should remain unchanged (altought they now become column B).
    10. Example of finished Excel table.

    11. Select these rows, choose copy and then back in Arcmap 9.2 Batch window choose Paste.
  5. Run the batch operation in ArcGIS

    You're done!