How to Export Attribute Table to Excel

Exporting an attribute table to Microsoft Excel can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the process. However, with a few simple steps, you can extract information from ArcGIS and share it with other people. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of exporting an attribute table to Excel, and help you to understand some of the options and settings you may encounter along the way. Whether you are new to Excel or have been using it for years, our step-by-step guide will provide you with the information you need to export attribute tables to Excel with ease.

Step 1: Open ArcGIS

The first step to exporting an attribute table to Excel is opening up ArcGIS. Once you’ve opened the software, navigate to the layer for which you want to export the attribute table.

Step 2: Right-click the layer

Next, right-click on the layer from which you would like to export the attribute table to Excel. This will bring up a menu of options, from which you should select “Open Attribute Table.”

Step 3: Select the records to export

Once the attribute table opens, navigate to the records you would like to export. You can select all records or just a subset of them. To do this, you can use the “Select by Attributes” button or the “Select by Location” button. Once you’ve chosen the records you’d like to export, right-click on the layer again, and select “Export.”

Step 4: Choose your export settings

You’ll now be presented with a window to customize your settings for exporting the attribute table. First, choose the file type you’d like to export. In this case, you’ll want to select “Microsoft Excel.”

Output Table

Next, choose the location where you’d like the exported file to be saved. Give it a name, and select the directory where you would like to save it.

Export Selection or Export All

Choose whether you want to export all the records in the attribute table or just the selected records. If you choose to export just the selected records, make sure to check the box that says “Use Selected Features.”

Field Separator

Choose a field separator for the data. This is typically a comma or a tab. If you’re not sure which one to choose, comma is usually the default.

Step 5: Preview your export

You can preview your export by clicking the “Preview” button. This will allow you to see how the data will be formatted in Excel. Make sure everything looks correct before you click “OK.”

Step 6: Open your export in Excel

Once you’ve clicked “OK,” your attribute table will be exported to Excel. You can now open it up in Excel and view the data. If you’ve exported just the selected records, make sure to only save the subset of records rather than the entire worksheet.

Congratulations!

You’ve successfully exported an attribute table to Excel. This process can seem intimidating at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature. Now you can share your GIS data with others in a familiar, easy-to-use format that they’ll appreciate.

Why export an attribute table to Excel?

Excel is a widely-used software that is familiar to many people in the business world. By exporting your attribute table to Excel, you can take advantage of the program’s powerful data analysis tools and share your GIS data in a format that is easy for others to understand.

Other export options

While Excel is a popular choice for exporting attribute tables, it’s not the only option. You can also export to a CSV file, which can be opened in many different software packages, including Excel. Additionally, you can export to a database format such as Access or SQL Server if you need to integrate your GIS data with other data sources.

Formatting your data for Excel

When you export an attribute table to Excel, you’ll want to make sure the data is formatted in a way that makes sense. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Headers

Make sure to include headers for each column in your export. This will help users understand what each column represents.

Number formatting

If your data includes numbers, make sure to format them correctly in Excel. You may need to adjust decimal places or use scientific notation to make the data more readable.

Text formatting

Similarly, if your data includes text, make sure to format it in a way that makes sense. You may need to adjust font size, style, or color to make the data stand out.

Exporting an attribute table to Excel is a great way to share your GIS data with others in a familiar, easy-to-use format. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily export your data to Excel and take advantage of the program’s powerful data analysis tools.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about exporting attribute tables to Excel:

Can I export multiple attribute tables to the same Excel file?

No, each attribute table can only be exported to its own Excel file. However, you can combine multiple Excel files into one workbook after exporting them from ArcGIS.

Can I export only selected columns from the attribute table?

Yes, you can export only the selected columns by hiding the unwanted columns using the “Table Options” button in the attribute table window. This will allow you to export only the data you need rather than the entire table.

Can I control how the data is formatted in Excel?

Yes, you can control how the data is formatted by changing the settings in the export window. This includes the field separator, number formatting, and text formatting. Make sure to preview your export before saving to ensure it looks as expected.

Can I export an attribute table from a map rather than a layer?

Yes, you can export an attribute table from a map by selecting the layer for which you want to export the attribute table in the table of contents, and then following the steps outlined in this article.

Can I export an attribute table to a different type of file?

Yes, you can export an attribute table to several different file types, including CSV, KML, and HTML. The process for doing this is similar to exporting to Excel, but you will need to select the appropriate file type from the export window.