Spatial analysis

Spatial analysis is the process of using analytical techniques to find relationships, discover patterns, and solve problems with geographic data. Spatial analysis typically involves using your data as input, executing one or more operations (calculations), and then displaying the output on a map to visualize and evaluate the results. The goal of every analysis is to turn data into information.

Get started

Learn how to perform different types of spatial analyses:

Geometry analysis: Use client-side APIs to make calculations on different types of geometries.
Feature analysis: Use the spatial analysis service to run server-side processes to find patterns and relationships in feature data.
3D visual analyses: Use client-side APIs to analyze 3D terrain and objects.

Get started with the tutorials

To learn more about spatial analysis concepts and use cases, go to the following resources:

Hot spot analysis revealing areas of high and low home values in San Francisco.

Topics

Geometry analysis

Learn how to perform client-side analyses on point, polyline, and polygon geometries using the ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript, ArcGIS API for Python, and ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps.

Introduction

Introduction to geometry analysis and the types of problems you can solve.

Types of geometry analysis

Explore the different types of geometry operations.

How to perform geometry analysis

Learn the steps to perform a geometry analysis.

Spatial relationship

Determine the topological relationships between two shapes.

Calculation

Perform geometric calculations such as buffer, intersect, or union.

Distance and area

Calculate distance and area for geometric shapes.

Projection

Project geometric shapes to new coordinate systems.

Feature analysis

Learn how to perform server-side analyses on feature data to find relationships and patterns using the spatial analysis service, ArcGIS API for Python, ArcGIS REST JS, and ArcGIS REST API.

Introduction

Introduction to feature analysis and the types of problems you can solve.

Types of feature analysis

Explore the different types of feature analysis operations.

How to perform feature analysis

Learn the steps to perform a feature analysis with ArcGIS tools and APIs.

Find data

Find and extract features using SQL, spatial queries, and other techniques.

Combine data

Overlay (merge or intersect) two feature collections.

Summarize data

Aggregate, join, or find features near other features.

Analyze patterns

Find patterns in data using hot spot, cluster, tessellation, and interpolation operations.

Calculate geometries

Buffer, find centroids, or create tessellations from feature collections.

3D visual analysis

Learn how to perform client-side 3D analysis on terrain and objects using the ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript and ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps.

Introduction

Introduction to 3D visual analyses and the types of problems you can solve.

Line of sight

Create a 3D line of sight.

Distance measurement

Create a 3D distance measurement.

Viewshed

Create a 3D viewshed.

Tutorials

Learn how to perform spatial analyses interactively with the Map Viewer and programmatically with ArcGIS API for Python, ArcGIS REST JS, ArcGIS REST API, and other APIs.

Find data sources

Discover data in ArcGIS that you can use for feature analysis.

ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World

ArcGIS Hub

Create data sources

Import, create, and generate data for feature analysis.

ArcGIS Online

Developer dashboard

Enrich data sources

Enrich data with demographic information and local business facts using the spatial analysis service.

Find and extract data

Find data with attribute and spatial queries using find analysis operations.

Combine data

Overlay, join, and dissolve features using combine analysis operations.

Summarize data

Aggregate and summarize features using summarize analysis operations.

Discover patterns in data

Find patterns and trends in data using spatial analysis operations.

Services